Quality Technician

About the Role

We are seeking a Quality Technician to join our quality department, playing a key role in developing and maintaining quality and food safety systems that comply with customer standards, third-party certifications, and relevant legislation. The position involves a morning shift from 06:00 to 14:30 and reports directly to the Technical Services Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the supplier management process by maintaining detailed specifications, conducting risk assessments, audits, and approval documentation for all raw material, packaging, and miscellaneous suppliers.
• Conduct supplier audits as necessary for new approvals, periodic reviews, or issue resolution, which may require travel.
• Evaluate supplier performance and quality on a frequency based on risk, size, and complexity, providing feedback to relevant teams.
• Facilitate approval processes for new suppliers of raw materials, packaging, and miscellaneous items.
• Update and inform the purchasing team about supplier performance, service, and product quality during review cycles.
• Develop and maintain detailed specifications and quality standards for all finished products while being proficient with customer-related software systems such as Micros, Hamilton Grant, and FIND.
• Create and maintain internal factory specifications.
• Address customer queries and complaints promptly, collaborating with technical and production teams when necessary.
• Visit customer sites as needed, representing the company’s technical expertise during service calls or investigations.
• Capture, record, and analyze customer complaints and assist the quality manager in conducting investigations.
• Challenge and improve food safety systems, actively participating as part of the HACCP team to maintain and review safety plans.
• Manage document control and upkeep of the quality management system.
• Update process documentation such as check sheets and procedures driven by improvements, audits, or customer requirements.
• Assist the quality manager in executing the internal audit program to ensure compliance with the quality system.
• Participate fully in external audits related to food safety and quality with customers, regulatory bodies such as BRC and the Department of Agriculture.
• Ensure evaluation and verification of raw materials, processes, and finished products within production, collaborating on resolving any quality issues.
• Implement microbiological, chemical, and physical testing schedules according to the agreed program and allocated budget, including finished product and raw material microbiological testing, relevant chemical analyses, daily sensory assessments, and prompt reporting of non-conformances.
• Lead root cause analyses for quality issues involving all relevant departments in a timely manner.
• Communicate customer requirements effectively to the operations team and ensure adherence to KPI targets.
• Conduct investigations into customer complaints, working with production and maintenance teams to identify causes and implement preventive actions.
• Manage quarantined products, ensuring traceability and safety are preserved at all times.
• Oversee shelf-life analysis for chilled and frozen products.
• Collaborate with New Product Development teams for successful new product launches into production.
• Monitor and control QA-related costs within budget.

Candidate Requirements

• Possession of a minimum recognized diploma in a food-related discipline or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Preferably at least one year of Quality Assurance or Quality Control experience within the food manufacturing industry.
• Ability to work independently using own initiative.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to perform effectively under pressure.
• Proficient in MS Office applications.
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability to changing work environments.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with fluency in English.
• Strong problem-solving capabilities.
• Committed team player with self-motivation.

Additional Information

This role involves some travel as required. The responsibilities of the position may evolve over time in line with business dynamics. Appointment to this position is contingent upon eligibility to work in Ireland.

Shift Timing: Morning Shift 06:00 – 14:30

Salary:  33000 per annum