Contract type: Permanent Hours: 7am-3pm Monday - Friday Salary: £12.86 per hour The Quality Systems Assistant will support the food safety, legality, quality, and integrity compliance across the Fresh Foods division. This role plays a crucial part in ensuring the adherence to high standards, assisting in audits, training, and monitoring quality systems to guarantee the safe production of high-quality food products. Key Responsibilities: Conduct routine factory audits to monitor food safety and quality standards. Perform internal audits and traceability exercises to ensure system integrity. Lead pest control activities and liaise with external pest control contractors. Serve as the Seamcor system superuser and provide training for other personnel. Participate as a member of the HACCP team. Provide production QA holiday cover as needed. Ensure all paperwork and quality systems are completed accurately in accordance with company procedures. Control the intake inspection, stock, and supplier approval process for raw materials, packaging, and ingredients. Create product label content based on raw material and recipe data. Prepare reports on compliance across various areas of quality control. Conduct Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and non-conformance investigations. Ensure Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and housekeeping standards are adhered to consistently. Audit pre-startup checks and hygiene handover processes, including chemical control. Oversee the calibration of key equipment. Conduct refresher training for staff as required. Undertake additional duties as needed to support the quality department. Focus on continuous personal development through training and hands-on work experience. Generic Responsibilities: Ensure compliance with “The Blakemore Way” and the appropriate competency framework. Demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. Adhere to health and safety responsibilities as outlined in the Company Health, Safety, and Environmental Policy. Comply with all company policies and legal requirements relevant to the role. Key Knowledge, Skills, Experience, and Qualifications: Previous quality experience within the FMCG industry, with knowledge of BRC food standards. Strong understanding of quality control standards and their application. Food Hygiene Certification and HACCP training required. Experience in a Quality Systems role is essential. Ability to work both independently and within a team, with a keen and enthusiastic approach. Excellent communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders. Strong organizational and planning skills, with a keen attention to detail. Proficiency in IT systems, particularly for reporting and data management. A positive attitude, with flexibility to cover other roles within the department when necessary. What's in it for you? Excellent benefits package including: Holiday, Maternity and Paternity leave and pay in excess of statutory entitlements Develop your skills and capability in a highly supportive and multi-diverse culture Outstanding Training & Development Gain hands-on experience in a high volume, fast paced convenience store Generous staff discount in all our SPAR stores (excl. Alcohol & Cigarettes) Proactive promotion of internal candidates Early access to your pay through ‘EarlyPay’ 24/7 access to your payslips and Rotas via HR/Payroll portal Wellbeing support – access to emotional support, counselling, legal and financial advice Company Pension Scheme NEST pension scheme Company Life Insurance worth 1 x Annual Salary and 6 x Annual Salary with Company Pension Scheme Extra Holidays - Purchase Scheme Cycle to work - Bicycle purchase scheme Long Service Awards A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd is one of the largest privately owned companies in the UK. Our forward-thinking family-owned business began life in 1917 as a counter-service grocery store and has grown from these humble beginnings into a company that now owns 260 SPAR convenience stores and employs more than 7,000 people, with a turnover of £1.3 billion. As one of the largest convenience retailers in the UK, we are always looking for innovative ways to create a point of difference. Food and drink have always been our lifeblood, and today our business has multiple divisions specialising in retail, food service and wholesale distribution. Please download the job description for more information. Inclusive environment: as a Disability Confident Committed employer we are dedicated to creating a fair, inclusive workplace for all. We offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You may have experience in the following: Quality Assurance Assistant, Quality Control Officer, Food Safety Technician, QA Coordinator, Quality Compliance Assistant, Quality Systems Coordinator, Food Quality Specialist, HACCP Coordinator, Quality Auditor, Technical Assistant, Food Technologist, Quality Systems Administrator, Product Compliance Officer, etc. REF-218 487