Quality Assurance Officer

Job Title: Quality Assurance Officer

Department: Quality / Technical
Reports to: Technical Manager
Location: Watford
Employment Type: Full-time

Salary: £28,000 - 30,000 per annum

About Us

Wenzel's the Bakers Ltd is a well-established and growing bakery brand with a passion for quality products and exceptional customer experience. With an expanding network of shops and a strong presence across the South East, we're investing in the future and technology is at the heart of that growth.

Job Summary

We are looking for a Quality Assurance Officer to help maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and product quality in our facility. You will carry out regular checks, support audits, investigate complaints and work closely with other departments to make sure our products meet company and legal standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain high standards of hygiene, housekeeping, food safety, allergen control.
• Monitor Critical Control Points (CCPs), temperature logs, and calibration of equipment daily.
• Conduct and document internal audits, including hygiene and GMP audits.
• Assist in creating and updating SOPs, policies and training materials.
• Review production records, cleaning schedules, fridge/freezer logs, and ensure proper documentation is maintained.
• Handle product or supplier-related issues, raising non-conformances when needed.
• Investigate quality complaints and customer issues; prepare detailed reports with corrective actions.
• Perform traceability checks and support mock recall activities.
• Communicate and work with cross-functional teams (Production, Warehouse, Procurement) to resolve issues and improve processes.
• Support the Technical Manager in the daily tasks as needed.

Key Skills & Competencies:

• Strong attention to detail and understanding of food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, BRC, GMP, SALSA).
• Knowledge and experience in the food industry (minimum 1 year in a quality role).
• Good understanding of traceability systems and personal hygiene practices in high-care environments.
• Ability to create reports, analyse data, and elevate issues appropriately.
• Excellent communication and time management skills.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Diploma or Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology or related field.
• At least 1 year of experience in a quality assurance role in the food industry.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and general office software.
• Ability to create and maintain structured documentation and records.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary between £28,000 - £30,000.
• Opportunity to shape and develop IT strategy within a growing, dynamic company.

• Collaborative and supportive working environment.
• 50% discount at Wenzel's Stores.
• Company pension scheme.
• 28 days' holiday (including bank holidays).
• Extra paid day off for your birthday.
• Training and development opportunities, including apprenticeships and career progression.
• Access to a comprehensive Wellbeing Centre and 24/7 Employee Assistance Helpline offering free, confidential advice.

Hiring Process

The hiring process will include:

• An initial phone or video interview
• Two final in-person interviews at our head office

If you are a forward-thinking Quality Assurance professional ready to take ownership of quality in a thriving, multi-site business, we would love to hear from you. Employment will be contingent on satisfactory reference checks.