Sampling Technician

About Pilgrim's Food Masters
We are Pilgrim's Food Masters, part of the Pilgrim's family since September 2021, (previously part of Kerry Foods) and we have a proud history of developing brilliant food for our customers and consumers that is enjoyed in millions of UK and Irish homes everyyear.
The wider Pilgrim's company employs around 60,000 people across the globe and we're one of the world's biggest food companies. We aim to become the best and most respected company in our industry creating the opportunity of a better future for all our teammembers.
Our Pilgrim's Food Masters portfolio includes famous brands that are some of the UK and Irelands Favourites, such as Denny, Galtee, Richmond and Fridge Raiders. We are the UK's biggest producer of prepared meals, making delicious chilled and frozen ready mealsfor every major supermarket in the UK. And our Accelerator business includes newer brands like Rollover Hot Dogs and Oakhouse Meals that target different consumer groups in unique ways.
We strive every day to make Pilgrim's Food Master's a safe, healthy and happy place to work for all of our 4,500 employees. We will give full and equal consideration to all applicants regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion and sexual orientation.Continuing to build a diverse workforce is fundamental to our business and we value the critical role it plays in creating a truly inclusive workplace
Role Description
To support the Operational and Technical teams to ensure all the required samples, raw materials and taste panels are completed to confirm food safety and quality standards.
Key Responsibilities
Food Safety
- Build a culture of Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) by supporting root cause analysis for any food safety and quality non-compliances.
- Reduce food safety hazards by identifying non-compliance and supporting issue resolution.
- Complete all sampling, inspection and testing to the defined plans and ensure any non-compliances are escalated to Quality Technologist and Operations.
Technical Strategy
- Understand the requirements of the PFM OPEX-MS (Manufacturing Standard) and retailer standards.
- Support the sampling of food safety and quality checks and escalate non-compliance.
- Communicate the progress against targets regularly up and down the organisation ensuring that KPI's are being maintained at the required rate.
- Develop relationships with operational teams and support with issue resolution where required.
- Support systems team on completion of systems validation work such as HACCP, Allergen, Speciation
- Support sites customer complaint reduction activity.
- Responsible for the completion of daily taste panels for site
- Filing of operational and departmental documentation/ records
Build a high performing team
- Encourage team members to share best practices across site.
- Support all retailer, daily and monthly sampling regimes and ask for support if required.
- Support wider team with tasks where required.
- Recognise in team where values are being shown.
OPEX Improvement
- Identify key non-compliances during the sampling process and share with wider sites for learnings.
- Use data analysis to make problems visible, quantifiable and to guide decisions.
- To lead improvement projects on quality and food safety.
Deliver value for the business and for the customer
- Escalate samples that do not meet the Green QAS standards.
- Provide support in the maintenance of technical systems and ensure data is recorded, reviewed and trended as part of standard work.
- Communicate effectively during panel to ensure processes are followed and adhered to.
- Focus on and issues and use Problem Follow up tools and 8 step methodology where appropriate.
Skills & Qualifications
- Experience of working in a food environment
- Strong communication skills and the ability to influence
- Strong attention to detail
- Natural coaching ability
Why Join Pilgrim's Food Masters
Our values are at the heart of our business and drive everything we do. Availability is key as we are receptive and open and prepared to take on new challenges. Humility is important to us as we listen and respect each other and value opinions of others. Disciplineis vital to fulfil commitment internally and externally. We need to be truthful to each other and respectful of other opinions, so Sincerity drives us. At Pilgrim's we focus on what's practical and important so through Simplicity, Ownership and Determinationbrings success. All these core values culminate into our vision which is: To be the best and most respected company in our industry, creating the opportunity of a better future for our team members