Quality Auditor

We’re Hiring: Quality Auditor – Join Our Growing Bakery Team Are you passionate about quality and food safety? We are looking for a Quality Auditor to help us maintain the highest standards across our operations. See our full job description below: Department : Technical  Reports To : Head of Technical  Direct Reports: None  Employment Type : Full-time  Location : Dromore, County Down, Northern Ireland Level : QA Auditor   Mission Statement  Deliver proactive, on-the-floor quality assurance support that protects product safety, legality, and authenticity. This role ensures robust technical compliance, real-time production support, consistent standards, and continuous improvement across the bakery. The QA Auditor works flexibly across shifts to match production needs, prevent issues before they occur, and strengthen the partnership between Technical and Production.   Primary Accountabilities & Outcomes   Production Floor QA Support  Maintain a strong, visible presence on the production floor throughout each shift.  Proactively identify, escalate, and help resolve issues relating to labelling, allergens, hygiene, CCPs, PPE and equipment.  Collaborate daily with Team Leaders and Supervisors to embed safe, legal, right-first-time production.  Support start-up checks and end-of-run compliance tasks during key production windows.  Provide flexible shift cover (early starts/late finishes) to ensure QA presence during high-risk or high-volume periods.   Compliance, Verification & GMP  Complete daily GMP audits, documenting findings and agreeing actions with Production.  Carry out CCP verification checks (metal detection, X-ray, scale verification).  Conduct weight checks, recipe compliance checks, and allergen control verifications.  Complete temperature checks across chills, freezers, provers, and ovens.  Perform routine Glass & Hard Plastic checks and identify damaged or non-compliant equipment.   Sampling, Testing & Documentation  Complete sampling for shelf-life assessments, lab testing, and rotational sample sets.  Support positive release checks (including allergen swabbing).  Ensure all QA and production paperwork is completed accurately and filed correctly.  Maintain technical logs, calibration records, verification trackers, and non-conformance data.   Issue Management & Continuous Improvement  Log and follow up technical issues, maintenance faults, hygiene gaps, and process deviations.  Assist with root-cause analysis for complaints, non-conformances, and internal rejections.  Support trend reporting (GMP, CCP, weight control, allergen control).  Identify opportunities for procedural improvement and contribute to SOP updates.  Provide coaching and training for production teams where repeated issues occur.   Customer & Audit Support  Act as a point of contact for internal and external customer queries relating to quality or compliance.  Support Technical Manager during customer visits, BRCGS audits, and external inspections.  Assist with preparation of audit documents, reports, and follow-up evidence.   Required Competencies & Behaviours   Technical & Compliance Competencies  Strong understanding of GMP, allergen management, CCP controls, and food safety principles.  Knowledge of HACCP and quality systems within food manufacturing.  Ability to interpret specifications, process controls, and compliance requirements.  Digital & Systems Competencies  Confident with Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and digital QA records.  Able to maintain logs, trackers, and digital audit trails accurately.  Comfortable adopting new digital tools linked to Technical and Production.  Operational & Production Competencies  Strong situational awareness and ability to act quickly in a live environment.  Clear communication with Production to align standards and expectations.  Ability to manage time effectively in a fast-moving, multi-line bakery.  Continuous Improvement Competencies  Observant, detail-driven, and able to spot early signs of non-conformance.  Supports Lean and 3S/5S principles on the floor.  Proactive attitude to raising issues and preventing repeat problems.   Experience & Background Requirements  Essential  Previous experience in QA or Technical within food manufacturing.  Understanding of CCPs, GMP, allergens, and food safety compliance.  Strong organisational, communication, and documentation skills.  Desirable  3rd-level qualification in food science or related discipline.  Experience in bakery, sweet goods, or high-volume FMCG.  HACCP Level 2/3 or Food Safety qualifications.  Exposure to digital quality systems.