Job Description

Technical Assistant

This role is open to technical and quality professionals with a broad understanding of maintaining and improving standards in a factory. Applicants most be able to demonstrate key technical skills they can bring to the Houghton Hams team from day one. Candidates must have a good understanding of the principles of food safety. Applicants should also have an appreciation of the meat processing environment, interest in a meat industry career, flexibility, and a willingness to learn. As the company primarily process pork, beef, and turkey, the role involves exposure to these meats. Tenacity, good communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills are required to succeed.

Desirable Responsibilities & Experience

Experience of working within a high-risk chilled food handling environment.

Ability to influence a manufacturing environment, to affect positive changes e.g. within a QA role.

Knowledge of Food Safety/Quality Management Systems and Standards, primarily BRCGS in Food Safety - some exposure to Red Tractor and Organic Standards would also be beneficial.

An understanding of the principles of food labelling / food law.

An appreciation of product formulation, specifications, and quality attributes to deliver consistency in products.

Understanding of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)/Good Hygiene Practice and control of food contamination.

Perception of possible risks to safety, quality, legality, and authenticity of food and approaches to assessing and managing risk in a structured way.

Degree/Diploma or other advanced training in food science and technology, or a related discipline.

Job Responsibilities

Significantly contribute to maintenance of Site Certifications (BRC / RT / Organic/ BMPA) + any new standards the site will work towards by:

Conducting Internal Audits to an agreed schedule. Managing agreed Product, Raw Material and Environmental testing schedules. Work collaboratively to update procedures and processes based on new requirements, as well as for the purposes of continuous improvement. Identifying risks and gaps in processes and practices which could compromise site certification.
Creating product and raw material specifications, as well as assisting with completing customer specification templates on and offline.

Provide technical specifications and legal labelling functions to the Technical Team by creating, updating, and maintaining finished product specifications and labels.

Create, manage, and maintain Factory Quality Attribute Sheets to ensure clarity on the standards required for new and existing products and customers.

Monitor and improve factory standards with regards to GMP, Hygiene and Quality through collaboration with the Quality Manager, production management and operatives.

Investigate to root cause, quality, and technical concerns with appropriate feedback and documentation.

Develop, implement, and manage Quality Action Plans and other strategies within the factory, based on feedback to continually improve factory and production standards.

Monitor raw material to ensure specifications are adhered to.

Conduct NPD trials and maintain the appropriate records as required.

Participate and initiate continuous improvement projects where required.

Ensure all staff have the appropriate training to work within the factory (e.g., HH Basic Food Hygiene, Houghton Ham Induction training).

Deliver hygiene improvements by auditing cleaning and walkaway standards.

Contribute to Supplier Approval and Management activities.

Collect and prepare samples and microbiological swabs for evaluation.

Review analytical testing and implement improvement plans where required.

Perform analytical tests relating to pH, salt, etc as required.

Cover QA tasks including manufacturing review of any at risk products and processes.

Ensure the site Quality Management System is fully implemented and drive audit ready standards.

Collaboratively work to maintain retail suitable production standards.

Review policies and procedures ensuring new legislation, BRCGS requirements and codes of practice are implemented.

Champion Food Safety Culture and a Quality Focus on site.

Accountabilities

The Technical Assistant reports into the Technical Manager and Assistant Technical Manager and is accountable to the Directors and Operations Manager.

Work Remotely

No

Desirable:

Food qualification would be preferred but is not essential

FMCG industry experience

Experience with retailers and 3rd party audits/BRC standards

HACCP qualification

Internal audit experience

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to 35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Free parking
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Application question(s):

Must have experience working in (chilled) food factory Must have a minimum of 3 years' experience in a technical/quality role Must be with 45min commute time to site NN3 6AX
Work Location: In person