Quality Assurance Technologist

IRCA Group is a leading international B2B provider of semi-finished ingredients for the bakery, pastry and gelato markets, serving independent producers and large food manufacturers. Core products include chocolate, decorations, creams, inclusions, pastry mixes, gelato ingredients, and other bakery/pastry ingredients.

Headquartered in Italy, IRCA Group has a strong track record of growth over the last decade. It has 22 manufacturing facilities worldwide, 2,400+ employees, and €1 billion in revenues.

What We Offer

IRCA fosters a dynamic environment, embracing diversity and valuing diverse perspectives and international experiences, offering a stimulating context. We promote professional growth by providing tailor-made development programs and career advancement opportunities locally and internationally.

With locations worldwide, we offer the chance to work on international projects, collaborate across cultures, and gain a global perspective. Joining our team means becoming part of a global community of passionate professionals dedicated to making a difference.

If you are looking for

• a competitive salary
• stimulating challenges
• the chance to contribute your ideas for process improvement in an ever-growing company

IRCA is the right place.

Role Overview

This role requires a detail-oriented and dedicated professional with strong expertise in quality assurance, capable of thriving in a fast-paced and evolving environment. This role involves conducting product safety audits, managing quality-related documentation, and ensuring adherence to industry best practices, regulatory standards, and customer specifications.

Key Responsibilites

Inspection and Testing

• Perform inspection and testing of finished products and raw materials in compliance with site quality standards.
• Review process control records to ensure conformance to food safety requirements and customer specifications.
• Complete calibrations of test equipment in accordance with prevailing standards.

Complaints & Continuous Improvement

• Assist in investigating complaints related to site production, reporting, evaluating returned materials, and implementing corrective actions.
• Facilitate and execute Root Cause Analysis (RCA) methodologies such as 8-Step Practical Problem Solving.

Standard Confirmation

• Monitor and enforce compliance with established quality and safety standards through structured verification processes.

Quality Inspection

• Perform routine factory-based food safety and quality standards inspections, including GMP, hygiene verification audits, fabrication inspections, and foreign body inspections.
• Provide guidance and support to departments being audited to ensure understanding of required standards.

Quality / Technical Issue Resolution & Support

• Facilitate investigations and resolution of non-conformances using problem-solving tools (e.g., 3Cs, Fishbone, 8-Step, etc.).
• Participate in Crisis Management processes when required.
• Analyse and report quality performance metrics (KPIs) and identify improvement opportunities.

Taste Panel Process

• Ensure the effective scheduling and facilitation of the taste panel process.

SAP & Stock Monitoring

• Daily monitoring and release of products post-production and customer testing for dispatch.
• Manage stock movement to maintain product integrity and minimise dispatch errors.
• Provide customers with necessary product certificates.

Environmental Monitoring Programme

• Ensure timely completion of scheduled monitoring activities.
• Log all samples on the online system and order necessary consumables.
• Conduct retests and liaise with the hygiene manager regarding results and trend analysis.
• Review the programme annually with the hygiene and technical manager.

Allergen Management

• Conduct allergen management validation and verification in accordance with PRP management programmes.

Product Sampling

• Maintain the customer testing requirements folder.
• Collaborate with the NPI Technologist to keep testing requirements updated.
• File daily production samples, send samples to labs for testing, and liaise with the supply chain regarding timing issues.
• Check product quality and report out-of-specifications to the production manager.

Qualifications & Skills

Essential

• Proficient written, numerical, and verbal skills.
• Fluency in English language.
• Numerical ability to record, interpret, and analyse key process data.
• Proficient in MS Office Tools.
• Understanding of Food Safety and Quality Management Systems.
• Knowledge of ISO22000 Standards or equivalent certification standards.
• Experience in standardisation of processes.
• Food Safety Level 3.
• HACCP Level 3.

Desirable

• Diploma or higher qualification in Food Science or a related subject.
• Knowledge of TACCP.
• Knowledge of the BRC Global Food Standard and specific customer standards.