Technical Assistant

OverviewPrepworld are looking for a

Technical Assistant

to assist the QA and wider Technical teams improve quality through the business. Maintain logs and generate reporting of data within the Technical department. Complete thorough investigations of complaints to enable root cause and corrective/preventive actions. Pro-active, problem solving attitude in the workplace, support projects and improvement activities.

Main duties

Management of Taste Panel and Benchmarking

Supporting the Taste Panel Coordinator (TPC) or Taste Panel Leader with any queries and issues relating to the databases or spreadsheets. Troubleshooting spreadsheet issues

Collaborating with the TPC to conduct benchmarking sessions according to schedule

Completion of benchmarking reports to a high level of competency and including any trends or insights

Line Standards and Specifications

Creation of photo line standards for all products across the business, coordinating with Production and Customer Technical teams to capture all requirements

Improve and maintain the line standard log to enable thorough version and document control

Liaising with NPD, Production and Customer Technical on fruit sizes of new products for new fruit cuts to be used for photo line standards

Assisting the QA and Customer Technical Teams with printing and laminating of photo line standards and line specifications before issuing to the factory

KPIs

Reporting of weekly and monthly KPIs to report Technical work to the business (Taste Panel, Non Conformances, CCPs etc.)

Taste Panel

Preparation of samples from trials, ensuring they are sealed, clearly labelled, and presented to high standards throughout

Liaising with relevant stakeholders to organise trials, ensuring availability of all raw materials and consumables for factory trials

Coordination and documentation of and attendance and management during pre-production trials with involvement from relevant stakeholders, to ensure successful launch of products and follow-up any issues with the relevant parties

Clear documentation, with photographs, of trial work that is shared on SharePoint to build reference documents of work undertaken

Supporting Customer Technical Team in annual shelf life validation of existing products

Completion of trials to improve quality and efficiency within the factory

Completion of fruit WIP life validation work

Supporting Customer Technical Team with project work to improve quality and shelf life

Complaints

Completion of complaints investigation in collaboration with other PrepWorld departments, ensuring root cause is located

Coordination with Customer Technical and QA Teams for investigation report completion

Management of the complaints process and completion in a timely manner

Communication of complaints to the business

Trending of complaints to aid continuous improvement and effective root cause analysis

Technical Team

Attendance of meetings to represent the Technical Team from a Food Safety and Process perspective

Collation of data to coherently present during meetings

Support the wider Technical Team by gathering and displaying information for KPIs and other purposes

Support for other Technical Team members during absence

Who we''re looking for

Previous experience within a food safety and quality/technical role (Essential)

Experience of conducting plant trials (Desirable)

Experience of new product launches (Desirable)

Food Science, Food Technology, or related degree or equivalent qualification (Highly Desirable)

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to negotiate and communicate with internal stakeholders (Essential)

Self-organised approach and the ability to plan a workload (Essential)

Flexible approach and be willing to adapt ways of working to support team requirements (Essential)

Proven time management skills and be accustomed to working with and meeting time critical deadlines (Essential)

Good standard of spoken and written English (Essential)

Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook (Essential)

Hold a full UK driving licence with own transport (Car/Motorbike/Moped) due to requirement to be mobile (see line standards and specifications duties) (Essential)

The position does not meet minimum salary threshold for sponsorship, and therefore is not suitable for Visa holders who require sponsorship to renew. (Essential)

The position is a full time permanent position, and therefore is not suitable for Student Visa holders (Essential)

What we provide in return

Medicash (allowances to cover costs such as dental and optical bills, physiotherapy, alternative therapies, and even consultancy charges, available for employees and their families. A taxable benefit)

Wagestream (track your earnings and instantly access up to 50% of your money as you earn it, without waiting for payday)

Internal Learning and Development programme including Management essential skills

Annual bonus (non-contractual)

Free, on site parking with electric charge points

Staff events

On site staff restaurant serving heavily subsidised hot and cold food

Fruit pots on Wednesdays

Modern offices and facilities

A supportive team

Days and hours of work:

Monday to Friday, 08:00am - 17:00pm

Salary:

£28,000 - £30,000 per annum, depending on skills experience and abilities demonstrated in interviews

Location:

Prepworld, Northfleet, ..... full job details .....