Technical Assistant

Job Introduction
We are looking for a Raw Materials Technical Assistant to ensure that the quality of raw materials and packaging delivered to site are of acceptable quality and match specifications, as well as building effective working relationships and being the first point of escalation for suppliers and relevant onsite teams.
To complete routine inspections and spot checks on raw materials upon delivery, within storage and in use within the production process, including communication with relevant team members, auditing processes and their outcomes to ensure that the raw material is acceptable.
To ensure that all relevant documentation related to raw materials and packaging is kept up to date and made available to the site.
To ensure out of specification raw materials/packaging are managed as per internal processes (e.g. concession, hold and reject procedure) and issues and actions are communicated to all relevant parties (site and suppliers) and completed to acceptable quality as per set timescales or escalate if required.
Role Responsibility
Raw Material/Supplier Managemnt Key Tasks
Assistance in decision-making regarding raw materials and packaging acceptance/rejection
Assess the quality and suitability of raw materials/packaging.
Goods in, storage and throughout the production process
Routine inspections
Spot checks
Investigating reported issue
Report raw materials/packaging issues to relevant teams and management and ensure that effective corrective actions are put in place.
Ensure out of specification raw materials are stopped from moving forward in the production process unless agreed otherwise
Ensure that the hold and reject procedure is followed for any raw material packaging that does not conform to required standards
Deal with non-conforming stock and rejections by sending a non-conformance report or any other relevant communication to the supplier in a timely manner.
Communicate with relevant teams regarding any items that are on hold / rejected
Liaise with supply chain to assist managing return of rejected stock to supplier
Carry out micro sampling on raw materials against schedule and log samples onto the system.
Asist in managing RM risk assessment and maintain the RM sampling schedule.
Manage existing RM key cards and create key cards for any new raw materials/packaging.
Ensure raw material concessions from suppliers are actioned and communicated
Develop relationship with suppliers by ensuring relevant feedback on performance is communicated in a timely manner.
Investigate and report on any internal rejections relating to raw material and packaging that are flagged by production teams.
Ensure unsatisfactory closure of non-conformances are flagged to the relevant persons.
Track / trend results of supplier non-conformances and provide information as required to drive supplier improvement
GENERAL TASKS
Engage with operations teams on raw material/packaging challenges, communicate on regular basis and provide/encourage/follow up on feedback.
Complete daily walks within production and logistics ensuring that the storage areas are audit ready.
Lead customer complaint investigations and internal foreign body finds in relation with raw materials/packaging.
Follow up with communication to suppliers.
Carry out Traceability checks when required
Assist in maintaining GMP standards
Participate in traceability and mass balance audits, ensuring all relevant raw material information is available and completed in the required timescale.
Assist Technical team general tasks as required and requested
Lead and support improvement projects as required
Assist in preparation for BRC and 3rd party audits
Other Duties
Work within the company’s rules and policies, introducing procedures where appropriate in conjunction with technical documentation requirements.
Adhere to the health and safety policy of the company and work within it’s guidelines to ensure personal safety of staff at all times.
Involvement in the overall management of the business which may involve participation in other areas of functionality or responsibility.
Involvement in company cross functional projects
The Ideal Candidate
Skills, Attributes And Knowledge Required
Knowledge of food hygiene and experience in working in a food production facility
IT proficient (Microsoft office and Windows environment)
Excellent communication skills and people skills
Excellent attention to detail
Excellent time-keeping and organisational skills
Ability to prioritise duties to complete tasks efficiently in a timely manner
Flexibility and ability to work in a fast-changing environment
Available to work outside of normal hours and bank holidays if required
Clear and concise written skills
Ability to be proactive and drive improvement
Positive “can do” attitude
Tenacity, Drive for results
Pragmatic approach able to work effectively in cross functional teams
Drive to deliver objectives to timelines