Our client, a leading food manufacturer are seeking to hire a Senior Quality Technologist to join their team. This is an excellent opportunity for the right candidate seeking to progress their career. Overview Development and maintenance of the quality and food safety systems to customer, third party standards, and ensuring adherence to relevant legislation Key Responsibilities: Responsibilities associated with this role include, but are not limited to: Supplier Management Maintain the supplier management process with detailed specification, risk assessment, audit and approval records for all raw material, packaging or miscellaneous suppliers Support quality manager with supplier audits as necessary as part of new approval, ongoing review, or in response to issues Review and evaluate suppliers to give feedback on performance and quality on a frequency that reflects their risk, size, and complexity Manage the approval of new raw material, packaging or miscellaneous suppliers Customer Management - Specifications Implement and maintain detailed specifications and quality standards for all finished products, knowledge of various software programmes used by customers required (Micros, Hamilton Grant, FIND, etc) Develop and maintain internal specifications for the factory QMS & HACCP Systems A key member of the companies HACCP team, challenging processes food safety systems and maintaining and reviewing the plan as required Responsible for the document control and maintenance of the quality management system Update process documentation (check sheets and procedures) as required when driven by improvement, audit requirements, customer requirements etc. Assist quality manager in implementing the internal audit programme to ensure quality system compliance Full participation in external audits for food safety and quality audits for customers, governing bodies (BRC/ Dept of Agriculture) and other regulatory authorities Ensure traceability is maintained throughout the process and carrying out traceability exercises as per external audits/customer requests Testing Programmes Ensure raw material, process and finished product evaluation and verification is completed as required within production, being part of the team helping to solve issues as they arise Implement microbiological, chemical and physical testing schedules in accordance with agreed programme and budget. To include: - Finished product and raw material micro - Chemical analysis of relevant product Senior Quality Technologist - Daily organoleptic assessment panel Report non-conformances and drive root cause analysis in a timely and comprehensive fashion, involving all relevant disciplines Ensure communications of customer requirements to the operations team and ensure compliance to KPI targets Carrying out investigations for customer complaints, liaising with the production/ maintenance teams as needed to find cause, agreeing actions that can be put in place to prevent recurrence Management of quarantined product, ensuring product traceability and safety is maintained. Liaise with other departments concerning rework or other destinations of quarantined inventory Shelf-life analysis management as required for chilled and frozen product Interface with NPD as required for the successful launch of new products into production Technical Administration Responsible for maintaining records for due diligence and audit purposes Collating technical information to view trending and take relevant actions where required Drive and implement plant wide process & quality system improvements, working with the relevant departments to ensure multi-disciplinary approach Use trended data/ statistical analysis from KPIs as part of continuous improvement loop Implementing quality improvement initiatives in both manufacturing and business processes Liaise with NPD team where necessary to ensure the smooth and safe introduction of new products, lines and processes which are integrated into the QMS Responsible for organisation and upkeep of records for calibration of factory and testing equipment on site Responsible for ensuring pest control is maintained by liaising with external contractor and the upkeep of records and online system Issue of new product codes and new recipes to the plant Qualifications/ Skills/ Experience: Diploma or higher in a Food Science related subject 3-5 years in a similar role in a FMCG or food retail environment Lead auditor certification is preferential HACCP certification is preferable Proficient written, numerical and verbal skills Numerical ability to record, interpret and analyse key process data Fluency in the English language Ability to communicate effectively with and present to: ? Customers ? Stakeholders (e.g., DAFM) ? Suppliers ? Senior Management / Directors Understanding of Food Safety and Quality Management Systems Strong knowledge of food legislation, BRC Global Food Standard and specific customer standards and codes of practice Good interpersonal and leadership skills, and the ability to react well under pressure Proficient in the use of MS Office tools Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability Ability to work cross functionally, meet deadlines and build effective relationships Senior Quality Technologist Ability to identify and implement improvements Ability to train / instruct and coach entry level and floor-based employees Note: As with all positions, due to the dynamic nature of the business, key responsibilities will evolve and change over time. Some travel will be required. Appointment to this role is subject to the candidate's eligibility to work in Ireland Job Ref Number: OR-12834 #ORjobs For additional information and a confidential discussion on this and similar opportunities contact: Diarmuid or All applications will be dealt with in the strictest confidence and your CV will never be released without your prior approval. Skills: Food Quality Food Technologist Food Science Food Industry Food Production