Technical -QAFLM

Location:        Fletchers Bakery (Sheffield)

Shift:               4 days on 4 days off

                        (Rotational shift pattern 6am - 6pm & 6pm - 6am)    

Salary:             Competitive 

The QA FLM is the first line contact within the technical function and work closely with the operations and supply chain function. The QAFLM will be responsible for day to day Quality/Technical issues eg holds, concessions, non conformances , near misses, complaints and ensure are handled in a timely manner.

The QAFLM  will also ensure that processes and products throughout the factory and leaving site comply with agreed specifications with regards to quality and food safety. They will participate in zonal GMP, glass and hard plastic audits and other relevant audits. They will monitor and record relevant checks on all aspects of production, as directed by the Quality Manual, highlight any non-conformances which may occur, escalating as required and working with the  Operations & supply chain team to ensure appropriate corrective action has been  taken. 

Biggest challenge for the role would be to ensure all food safety and quality issues raised are investigated, escalated as relevant and followed through and resolved in a timely manner. The role involves working with other departments  to create effective working relationships and foster an environment of continuous improvement. 

Our Fletchers bakery has over 125 years of baking tradition, with our Kara bakery supplying delicious wholesale bakery products for over 35 years starting with the first floured bap. Both have been part of the Finsbury Food Group since 2014. Fletchers Bakery can trace its roots back to 1895 and both bakeries portfolio of products have risen (get it?) to include gourmet brioche, traditional sliced bread, bloomer breads and vegan and gluten free options, to name a but a few.

1. Job Purpose

Your role as QA FLM is to be the first line contact within the technical function and work closely with the operations and supply chain function.  To carry out routine quality assurance testing and monitoring throughput the manufacturing process to ensure information on product quality is continually fed back to the appropriate management teams.  You will also ensure that processes and products throughout the factory and leaving site comply with agreed specifications with regards to quality and food safety.

Participate in GMP and other relevant audits. Monitor and record relevant checks on all aspects of production, as directed by the Quality Manual.  Highlight any non-conformances which may occur and take appropriate corrective action.

Work with all departments to create effective working relationships in an environmental of continual improvement. 

2. Role Key Accountabilities   

• Front line management of food safety & quality incidents as they arise - Holds, Concession, Non Compliance, Near Miss management for raw materials, finished product and food safety and quality scenarios.  Ensuring investigations are conducted in full, root cause ascertained and corrective actions identified
• Be commercially astute with considerations for: how can we be safe / legal / right quality?  Make decisions at pace to ensure plant efficiency / profitability of the business
• Take a pragmatic view.  What evidence can I find to back up my decision making?
• Conduct regular internal audits of the sites operations in accordance with the Quality Management System (CCP’s / Hygiene / Documentation / GMP / Foreign bodies / Glass / PPE / Allergen) and follow up on completion of corrective actions and ensure they are closed 
• Conduct traceability exercises and be able to confidently present the findings to customers during visits and third-party audits
• QMS audits – Have knowledge of BRC and Customers Codes of Practice
• Work with Operations to investigate customer complaints to root cause ensuring feedback to appropriate teams and relevant corrective actions are uploaded onto Qadex.
• To manage micro and nutritional databases, reporting, investigating, escalating and investigating issues to a resolution.  Work with wider Operations, Hygiene & Technical teams to implement corrective actions.
• Conduct routine environmental swabbing, hand swabbing, air plate and water sampling against schedules.
• Conduct scale and probe calibration and routine inspections on temperature controls.
• Manage stock control of retained samples and conduct daily Product Quality Evaluation and EOL on finished product, record and report results.  Highlight if there are issues and be proactive to resolve the issues.
• Carry out various tests and record results (pH testing, Allergen testing, aW testing, Weight control / Check weighing / Calibration / Verification), as well as ensuring labels and results are to specification.
• To manage sample submission process e.g. Customer/Nutritional samples (ensuring any products collected meet compliance to customer specifications) and Micro samples (following up any out of specification results with the appropriate investigation and corrective actions)
• Export liaising with supplier chain, completing traceability and organising with the site veterinary to be able to export our products to the EU
• Assisting the Technical Manager in the maintenance of the sites BRC certification and QMS

• • Metal detection investigations
  • Management of barcode verifier
  • Accountability for areas and management of testing schedules
  • Carry out any other reasonable tasks as requested by the company
  • Various other QA administrative work
  • Update tech board / weekly reports
  • Compilation and correct issue of new factory documentation
  • Working with the teams to meet the required standards

3. Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Level 3 Food Hygiene
• Level 2 HACCP
• Competent in MS Office, Word, Excel and Outlook
• Trained Internal auditor
• Broad experience of the food industry, in particular bakery manufacture is advantageous.
• Experience of working in a GMP environment
• A strong awareness of allergen controls
• Proven track record for continuous improvement and completion of complaint investigations
• You will also possess excellent team working, communication and negotiating skills you will be well organised with good planning and time management skills. 

4. Personal Attributes

• Can do attitude with a hands-on approach
• Great team player with strong communication skills and gets on well with other people
• The ability to challenge in a constructive manner
• Persuasive and able to justify decision making in a constructive manner, taking managed risks
• Excellent investigation skills and able to present work in a professional verbal or written manner to relevant stakeholders
• Attention to detail and confidence within their work with a persistence to get the job done
• A good work ethic is essential as is reliable and committed to the company
• Have pride in your work and add value to the company
• Be confident and personable
• Have the ability to work under pressure
• Ability to work autonomously, flexibly and pro-actively, taking ownership & accountability of role and tasks, whilst building effective relationships with other departments.
• Auditing experience
• Good IT skills
• Demonstrate the behaviours that align with the company’s vision and values (Teamwork, Ownership, Honesty, Communication and Respect).

5. Dimensions

• Direct Reports:  None
• Budget and Finances: None
• Delegated authority: Quality Manager
• Key Working Relationships: Operations, Engineering, Hygiene, Supply Chain & NPD,

6. Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)

• The key performance indicators will be set as part of your Performance Development Review (PDR)

7. Decision Making

Make daily decisions whilst ensuring the food safety and quality of the product is ensured.  Where required ensure that the correct escalation process is followed. 

8. Other Role Information

• Working a shift pattern 12 hours days and nights, working a shift pattern of 4 on 4 off. You will also be required to cover holidays and sickness therefore flexibility would be key.