Job Description

Company Overview

Alden's has been sourcing, butchering and delivering quality meat products for over 230 years. From a family?run local butcher to a business with more than 100 employees and products distributed across the UK, we take pride in what we do.

To support continued growth and the opening of our new factory in Bicester in 2024, we are recruiting for a full?time Quality Assurance (QA) Technician. This is a hands?on role based on the factory floor, ensuring food safety, product quality, and compliance through essential checks, monitoring activities and daily engagement with production teams.

Role Purpose

As a key member of the QA team, you will spend at least 80% of your time on the factory floor performing critical checks, audits and quality verifications to ensure all products and processes meet internal standards, customer requirements, and statutory regulations. You will play a vital role in maintaining food safety and quality systems in practice, supporting continuous improvement and ensuring the site remains audit?ready at all times.

Key Responsibilities

You will be responsible for a wide range of quality assurance activities, including but not limited to:

Daily Factory Floor QA Activities

Carry out routine quality checks on raw materials, in?process products and finished goods to ensure compliance with specifications and standards. Conduct scheduled and ad?hoc food safety, hygiene and GMP audits across the production area. Monitor environmental and product temperatures, CCPs and Halal Control Points. Verify labelling, packaging and product identification against specifications. Complete daily monitoring paperwork and ensure records are accurate and up?to?date. Assist with collection of samples and dispatch for testing where required.

Compliance & Support

Support internal, customer and third?party audits by preparing documentation and providing evidence of compliance. Report and escalate any non?conformances or quality concerns to management, and track corrective actions through to resolution. Work with production teams to coach and develop awareness of quality and food safety expectations. Contribute to maintaining allergen, traceability and GMP controls throughout the site.

Record Keeping & Continuous Improvement

Accurately complete QA documentation, check sheets and traceability records. Participate in regular review meetings to share observations, trends and improvement opportunities. Help maintain calibration and monitoring programmes for relevant equipment.

About You - Skills & Experience

Essential

Experience in a QA role within food manufacturing or production environment. Strong understanding of food safety and quality practices related to HACCP, GMP and BRCGS. Good attention to detail and record?keeping skills. Ability to work independently and confidently on the factory floor. Good communication skills and ability to coach/engage production staff.

Desirable

Relevant food safety or quality qualifications (e.g., Level 3 HACCP, Food Hygiene). Previous experience in meat or fresh food production

Why Join Alden's?

Be part of a well?established business with true heritage and great culture and with a commitment to quality. Opportunities for professional development and training. Working with a company that's puts employees & customers first.

Likely hours

6am to 2pm or 7am to 3pm
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From 30,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Additional leave Company pension Discounted or free food Life insurance On-site parking Profit sharing
Experience:

food technical: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person