QA Operative

Kepak is a global food company serving international retailers and food service household names with prime cuts of meat, on-trend food concepts and ready-for-market convenience foods. 

Kepak St. Merryn in Merthyr Tydfil has combined beef and lamb processing and packing facilities. We offer beef and lamb products ranging from retail ready cuts for butchers’ counters to branded packaged meat, all as part of our service; raised on open pastures, sourced from local farmers and hand-selected by our master butchers, we produce beef and lamb products with integrity and unmatched quality assurance. 

We are currently recruiting for a Quality Assurance Operative to work in our busy meat manufacturer site in Merthyr Tydfil.

This is a full time, permanent position working from 9.00am on a Monday to Friday shift pattern.

Job Role:

To provide a vital support service to the assigned production area by ensuring all customer, legislative and industry required checks are completed to schedule and documented accordingly. Play a key role in the control, monitoring and verification activities required by the sites H.A.C.C.P and food safety management systems.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor and verify livestock and product to ensure compliance to relevant legislative and customer specifications through daily check lists, such as: temperature, contamination, labels, weight, packaging etc.
• Carry out inspections of all incoming raw materials, packaging, ingredients and consumables in accordance with site specifications and intake procedures.
• Verify supplied documentation, certificates of conformity, delivery paperwork and traceability records for incoming materials.
• Assess incoming and outgoing materials on hold and escalate issues through out the site’s non-conformance process.
• Maintain accurate intake records and ensure traceability is preserved through the receipt, storage and use of all raw materials.
• Liaise with various stakeholders to resolve intake-related quality issues.
• Support investigations relating to supplier complaints, foreign body incidents, specification failures and traceability concerns.
• Participate in supplier approval verification activities and intake-related internal and external audits.
• Monitor compliance with customer, legal, BRCGS, and site requirements relating to raw material acceptance and control.
• Monitor and verify that all product due to leave the site is within the legislative and customer specifications, and within the limits and defined criteria set out in the relevant specifications, such as: contamination, temperature, labels, weight, packaging etc.
• Ensure all product labels are accurate, to the required standard and of high print quality.
• Complete all monitoring and/or verification practices in line with the H.A.C.C.P plan.
• Take samples using the Trace Soft monitoring system, complete accurate testing and recording of relevant carcasses/primals in line with sampling schedule, including pH testing in line with customer specific testing regimes and DNA testing for external laboratory analysis.
• Complete accurate daily calibration checks on required equipment/machinery, including scales, before, during and after production.
• Undertake assigned internal audits in accordance with the audit schedule and associated scope of work, communicating effectively with across production teams on audit plan, conformances, improvement suggestions and any non-conformances.
• Participate as required in external audits.
• Maintain accurate and legible documented records.
• Any other duties as requested by management and within the competency of the post holder.

Role Qualifications and Skills:

• Elementary Level 2 standard for English is desirable
• Fluent English (verbal and written) is essential
• Level 2 certificate in Food Hygiene and Manufacturing is preferred
• Knowledge of HACCP principles is desirable
• Foundation level H.A.C.C.P is desirable
• Knowledge of basic IT
• Knowledge of stock control systems is desirable
• Ensure all records, checks and documentation are completed accurately, legibly and in real time
• Excellent communication skills - written and verbal
• Meticulous attentions to detail

• 31 days annual leave per year (after probation).

• Annual Holiday Purchase Scheme - Need a little more time off? Purchase additional annual leave.

• Company Pension Scheme - Helping you plan for the future with access to our company pension scheme.

• Death in Service Benefit - Eligible salaried employees are covered by our Death in Service benefit, providing financial support and peace of mind for your loved ones.

• Refer a Friend Scheme - Earn up to £500 for successfully referring a friend or family member to join Kepak.

• Free On-Site Parking - Our site has dedicated staff parking, available free of charge for all colleagues.

• Subsidised On-Site Canteen - Enjoy a variety of freshly prepared hot meals and food options at reduced prices in our on-site canteen.

• Cycle to Work Scheme - Save money on a new bike and cycling equipment through our salary sacrifice scheme.

• Electric Vehicle Scheme - Access an electric vehicle through our salary sacrifice scheme.

• Long Service Awards - We recognise, acknowledge and celebrate the loyalty, dedication and valuable contributions of our long-serving colleagues.

• Discounted Gym Memberships - Support your health and wellbeing with access to discounted gym memberships.

• Training and Development - We are committed to helping you grow your career through structured onboarding, regular online and in-person training, and clear opportunities for career progression.

• Mentoring and Leadership Development Programmes - Whether you're looking to build new skills or take the next step in your career, our mentoring and leadership development programmes are designed to help you reach your full potential.

• GroceryAid Employee Assistance Programme - Free and confidential emotional, practical and financial support for all Kepak colleagues, including access to counselling, mental health support, legal guidance and a 24/7 confidential helpline.

• Financial Advice & Will Writing - Access free mortgage advice and a complimentary will writing service as part of your employee benefits package.