Quality Technologist

About Queally Group

Queally Group is a leading privately-owned agri-business in Ireland with a significant international footprint. Operating diverse manufacturing facilities across Ireland and the UK, we are a family-oriented company that values employee loyalty and support, which has been instrumental in our sustained growth. Our core mission is to produce high-quality, sustainable products while positively impacting the communities where we operate. We blend innovation with traditional values to meet the dynamic needs of our customers and stakeholders.

Role Description: Quality Technologist at The Culinary Food Group

This is a full-time, onsite position located in Naas, County Kildare. The Quality Technologist will be instrumental in developing and maintaining robust quality and food safety systems that meet customer, third-party, and legislative requirements.

Responsibilities

• Implement and manage detailed specifications and quality standards for all final products, utilizing customer-specific software (e.g., Micros, Hamilton Grant, FIND).
• Develop and maintain internal factory specifications.
• Oversee document control and upkeep of the quality management system.
• Update process documentation, including check sheets and procedures, in response to improvements, audits, or customer demands.
• Support the Quality Manager in executing the internal audit program to ensure quality system compliance.
• Actively participate in external audits for food safety and quality, including those from customers, regulatory bodies (BRC/Department of Agriculture), and other authorities.
• Ensure comprehensive traceability throughout the production process and conduct traceability exercises as required by external audits or customer requests.
• Oversee raw material, in-process, and finished product evaluations and verifications within production, contributing to issue resolution.
• Implement microbiological, chemical, and physical testing schedules according to established programs and budgets, including finished product and raw material micro testing, chemical analysis, and daily organoleptic assessments.
• Report non-conformances and lead root cause analysis investigations promptly and thoroughly, involving all relevant departments.
• Investigate customer complaints, collaborating with production and maintenance teams to identify causes and agree on preventative actions.
• Manage quarantined products, ensuring product traceability and safety, and liaise with other departments regarding rework or disposal of quarantined inventory.
• Manage shelf-life analysis for chilled and frozen products.
• Collaborate with the New Product Development (NPD) team to ensure the successful launch of new products into production.
• Maintain records for due diligence and audit purposes.
• Compile technical information to identify trends and take necessary actions.
• Utilize trended data and statistical analysis from Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as part of the continuous improvement process.
• Implement quality improvement initiatives across manufacturing and business processes.
• Organize and maintain records for the calibration of factory and testing equipment.
• Manage pest control by liaising with external contractors and maintaining records, including online systems.

Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum of a recognized Diploma in a food-related field or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Preference for at least 1 year of Quality Assurance/Quality Control experience in a Food Manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to perform well under pressure.
• Excellent proficiency with MS Office suite.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.
• Effective communication abilities.
• Fluency in English.
• A proactive and collaborative team player.
• Self-motivated with a strong work ethic.
• Exceptional problem-solving capabilities.

Additional Information

This role requires adherence to strict quality and safety standards within a fast-paced manufacturing setting.