Job Title: Quality Assurance Technician
Location: Rathmooney, Lusk, Co. Dublin
Department: Quality Assurance
Reports To: Technical Manager
Position Overview:
Country Crest, a leading producer of high-quality potatoes and onions, is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician. This role will be integral in supporting the Quality Manager and Technical Management team to ensure that the products we manufacture adhere to the highest standards of food safety, quality, and compliance with Irish and EU regulations. You will be a key member of the Quality Team, working closely with the production teams to monitor, test, and improve our processes, ensuring we consistently meet customer expectations and Irish food safety regulations, including the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) standards and HACCP requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
- Product Compliance:
- Ensure that all potatoes and onions are processed, prepared, and packaged according to established product specifications and quality standards.
- Verify that the correct quantities are used and ensure packaging meets both functional and aesthetic standards.
- Work closely with the production team to ensure adherence to food safety standards, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements throughout the entire potato and onion production process, including compliance with FSAI and Irish food safety regulations.
- Corrective Actions:
- Lead root cause analysis for any non-conformance or quality issues, specifically related to the handling, processing, or packaging of potatoes and onions.
- Implement Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) to resolve immediate issues and contribute to long-term process improvements, such as revising SOPs, retraining staff, and adjusting production techniques to ensure compliance with Irish and EU food safety laws.
- Testing and Inspection:
- Conduct regular tests and inspections of incoming raw materials (potatoes, onions, and other ingredients) to ensure they meet quality standards before processing, in compliance with Irish food safety regulations.
- Oversee and participate in finished product testing, including sensory evaluations (taste, texture, appearance), microbiological testing, and shelf-life assessments of finished potato and onion products.
- Apply statistical sampling methods to ensure consistency in product quality and address any variations promptly.
- Hygiene Monitoring:
- Oversee cleaning and sanitation procedures within the production areas to ensure compliance with hygiene and food safety regulations set out by the FSAI and other relevant Irish and EU regulations.
- Monitor critical areas such as washing, peeling, cutting, and packaging to ensure that they meet hygiene standards and are free of contamination.
- Conduct environmental swabbing in production areas, storage, and transport vehicles to monitor and prevent microbial contamination.
- Temperature Monitoring:
- Regularly monitor and document temperature controls throughout the production process, including raw material storage, processing areas, and finished product storage.
- Ensure that transportation of products meets the required temperature controls to prevent spoilage and ensure product quality is maintained throughout the distribution chain in accordance with FSAI temperature standards.
- Procedure Compliance:
- Ensure that processing procedures for potatoes and onions meet both internal quality standards and comply with Irish and EU regulatory standards, such as HACCP, GMP, and FSAI guidelines.
- Stay informed of changes to food safety regulations, industry standards, and updates from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) to ensure the company’s procedures are fully compliant with the latest food safety laws.
Key Skills and Competencies:
- Testing & Inspection Expertise:
Knowledge of testing methods specific to potato and onion processing, including sensory evaluation, microbiological analysis, and shelf-life testing in compliance with Irish food safety standards.
Proficiency in using laboratory tools and equipment such as thermometers, pH meters, moisture analysers, and other relevant inspection tools.
- Data Analysis and Interpretation:
Strong analytical skills to interpret test results and trends, allowing the technician to make informed decisions on product quality and identify areas for improvement based on FSAI requirements and HACCP principles.
Ability to predict potential quality issues based on data trends and implement corrective actions in a timely manner.
- Documentation and Record-Keeping:
Attention to detail with excellent organizational skills for maintaining accurate records of test results, corrective actions, hygiene monitoring, and temperature control data, all in compliance with Irish food safety regulations and FSAI guidelines.
Ensure that all records are compliant with internal standards and are easily accessible for audits or inspections by FSAI or other regulatory bodies.
Familiarity with potato and onion processing workflows and common challenges in food manufacturing, particularly in washing, peeling, cutting, and packaging processes.
Understanding of how processing variables (e.g., temperature, ingredient quality, equipment settings) can affect the quality and consistency of potatoes and onions, in line with Irish food safety standards.
- Communication and Teamwork:
Strong communication skills to report findings, issues, and improvements to the Quality Manager and production team.
Ability to collaborate effectively with other departments (production, operations, logistics) to ensure product quality standards are met and resolve any issues.
Provide training and support to team members to foster a culture of quality and food safety across the organization in compliance with Irish regulations.
- Qualifications and Experience:
Experience in food manufacturing or quality assurance, particularly in potato and onion processing, is highly desirable.
Knowledge of Irish food safety standards, including FSAI regulations, HACCP, GMP, and other relevant food safety protocols.
Proficiency in testing methodologies, inspection techniques, and the use of laboratory tools.
Attention to detail and excellent organizational skills for maintaining compliance documentation in line with FSAI and EU standards.