Quality Assurance Assistant (Temporary QA Auditor)

About the role

We are seeking a proactive Quality Assurance Assistant to support our busy Quality Department on a temporary basis. The role will focus on food and feed safety, GMP compliance and audit activities within a manufacturing environment in Kent.

Key responsibilities

• Provide guidance on Food Safety, Feed Safety, Quality and legislative requirements to operations, technical and commercial teams.
• Support and participate in external audits, including customer and third‑party certification audits.
• Plan, conduct and report on GMP audits, analyse findings and ensure corrective actions are completed.
• Train and mentor internal GMP auditors and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Investigate quality incidents, customer complaints and non‑conformances, performing root‑cause analysis and implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Carry out internal audits of the Quality Management System, HACCP plans, CCPs, OPRPs and related documentation.
• Deliver quality, hygiene, GMP and food‑safety training to staff and contractors.
• Conduct traceability exercises, mock recalls and support pest‑control and hygiene programmes.
• Manage environmental and product sampling programmes, including routine microbiological monitoring.
• Analyse quality data, track trends and maintain accurate records of corrective actions.

Required profile

• Degree or HND in Food Science, Quality Management or a related discipline.
• Proven experience as a Quality Assurance Auditor or QA Specialist in a manufacturing setting.
• Familiarity with food‑safety standards, GMP, HACCP and relevant legislation.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities with a focus on continuous improvement.

Required skills

• GMP auditing
• HACCP implementation and auditing
• Root‑cause analysis
• Microbiological monitoring
• Traceability and mock‑recall execution
• Food‑safety legislation knowledge

What we offer

• Competitive salary £35,000‑£40,000 per annum (pro‑rata).
• Fixed‑term contract (initial 3‑4 months) with potential extension.
• Flexible start and finish times within a Monday‑to‑Friday day shift.
• Opportunity to work within a collaborative, small quality team.