Quality Assistant Apprentice

Summary

We are recruiting a Quality Assistant Apprentice in Otford to complete a level 3 Food Technologist apprenticeship. At Jardox, we are the "Taste Behind the Brands." We are a ‘one stop shop’ for all savoury ingredients, specialising in stocks, gravies, curry pastes, marinades, glazes, sausage & burger seasonings and herb & spice based products.

Wage

£20,000 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Food industry technologist (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 July 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

A Quality Assistant works mainly within the Office and/or Testing Room (Lab) area at Jardox and reports directly to the Quality Manager. The successful candidate's role will be made up of the following:

Positive release of raw materials and finished products manufactured by Jardox
Ensuring compliance with Jardox standards and assisting with raw material and finished product non-conformances
Continuously maintain and improve Food Safety Culture within the business
Data input into Jardox ERP System and Testing Schedules/Logs, including micro/chemical/allergen testing results
Maintain testing database
Ensuring weight-checker reports compliance
Carrying-out packaging and labelling checks
Ensuring production records are compliant and retrievable
Dealing with customer requests, including CoAs/CoCs, shelf-life extension and testing requirements
Lab equipment calibration and recording the calibration results
Carrying out testing to ensure finished product compliance with the specification, including aW, Salt, Moisture, pH, Allergen rapid and ELISA
Carrying out chemical titration testing within the production area
Preparing samples for Organoleptic Testing
Maintaining a finished product samples library
Carrying out GMP & glass and plastic audits
Performing traceability exercises
Carrying out/assisting with the completion of allergen/species verification and validation
Carrying out and logging temperature checks
Production line sign-off and factory checks
Working closely with Production, Warehouse and Customer Services Departments to support the finished product manufacturing process
Assisting Technical/Quality Compliance Team with all quality, integrity and food safety issues
Driving Continuous Improvement and promoting our Food Safety Culture within the business

Where you'll work

Vestry Estate Otford Road
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN14 5EL

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

CQM TRAINING AND CONSULTANCY LIMITED

Your training course

Food industry technologist (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Implement and maintain risk management systems (for example, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points).
Review and maintain technical procedures for food businesses.
Use a range of IT systems to analyse and interpret data to identify trends and drive Continuous Improvement (CI).
Provide and interpret management data and information (reports and presentations).
Conduct sensory evaluation activities.
Contribute to Continuous Improvement (CI).
Develop and maintain effective relationships with customers, suppliers and colleagues.
Use problem solving techniques and investigation methods, including root cause analysis.
Influence and negotiate with colleagues and stakeholders.
Communicate with colleagues and stakeholders using technical language and methods appropriate to the audience.
Check raw materials, packaging and finished product quality against legislative requirements and specification.
Monitor and review manufacturing standards and parameters.
Support trials on new and existing products.
Investigate product non-conformance and recommend corrective action.
Contribute to the development and innovation of new and existing products.
Plan and produce samples suitable for all stages of the new and existing development process.
Contribute to the creation of product specifications and label content.
Contribute to the identification and selection of parameters for sensory analysis and shelf life evaluation.
Apply agreed standards to compare and evaluate against samples.
Compile product costings.
Conduct food product audits against standards and recommend areas for improvement.
Conduct food process audits against standards and identify non-conformities and recommendations for improvement.
Measure environmental conditions throughout the food manufacturing process and escalate non-conformities that could impact food safety and product quality.
Evaluate raw materials against agreed parameters and report non-conformities.
Measure and evaluate adherence to quality processing systems and standards.
Identify and communicate products and process issues and make recommendations for corrective action.
Oversee the implementation of corrective action to address product and process issues.
Carry out internal audits and participate in external audits.
Investigate and resolve problems, including customer complaints or quality issues.
Implement and maintain risk management systems (for example, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points).
Review and maintain technical procedures for food businesses.
Use a range of IT systems to analyse and interpret data to identify trends and drive Continuous Improvement (CI).
Provide and interpret management data and information (reports and presentations).
Conduct sensory evaluation activities.
Contribute to Continuous Improvement (CI).
Develop and maintain effective relationships with customers, suppliers and colleagues.
Use problem solving techniques and investigation methods, including root cause analysis.
Influence and negotiate with colleagues and stakeholders.
Communicate with colleagues and stakeholders using technical language and methods appropriate to the audience.
Check raw materials, packaging and finished product quality against legislative requirements and specification.
Monitor and review manufacturing standards and parameters.
Support trials on new and existing products.
Investigate product non-conformance and recommend corrective action.

Your training plan

This training plan has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Administrative skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Interest in food industry

Other requirements

Please note that the bus service is poor, and it is important that you drive, can walk or bike to TN14 5EL or can easily get a train to Otford or Bat and Ball and then walk or bike the 20-30 minutes to the site.

About this company

At Jardox, we are the "Taste Behind the Brands." We are a ‘one stop shop’ for all savoury ingredients, specialising in stocks, gravies, curry pastes, marinades, glazes, sausage & burger seasonings and herb & spice based products.

http://www.jardox.com (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

There are further opportunities to go on to do further courses (level 4 onwards) and genuine career opportunities to take on more senior roles in the food industry for the right person.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

JARDOX LIMITED

Laura Clark

lauraclark@jardox.com

01732456254

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000325589.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Tuesday 1 July 2025 at 11:59pm)

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