Our client is a key player within the Fresh Produce sector, supplying Fruit and Salad products to major retailers and well versed in growing & supplying a strong portfolio of fresh produce crops. We offer a new opportunity within their team as Microbiology Compliance Assistant.
The opportunity of Microbiology Compliance Assistant offers a fantastic opportunity to join a key player in the industry and become an integral part of the team. The candidate will take ownership of the end to end surveillance testing process, with an enhanced focus around the management of microbiological risks within the company’s supply chain. This role will be office based.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with suppliers and growers to implement customer microbiology policies and standards.
• Review and maintain internal surveillance risk assessments, communicating updates to relevant teams on a periodic basis.
• Manage the end to end daily surveillance testing process, including surveillance testing schedule, sample submission and results review.
• Coordinate the microbiological compliance monitoring process, monitor and trend results, highlighting where thresholds have been exceeded.
• Investigate with suppliers in the event of microbiological surveillance fails to understand root causes and corrective actions, ensuring all details are captured in the appropriate tracker.
• Collect and review grower level risk assessments to support suppliers management of food safety risks, including chemical risks, microbiological risks and supplier responses to adverse weather events which could impact these risks.
• Support the collation of microbiological compliance documents, including microbiological analysis conducted on water, swabs and raw material.
• Stay up to date with legislative and standards / guidance within the industry and communicate to the relevant teams.
• Support SCTM with delivery of group lab management strategy, including collation and analysis of data as part of surveillance governance and reporting.

We require;

• Proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Power BI, and PowerPoint.
• Educated to university degree level, preferably in food science, microbiology, biological sciences or related science
• Interest in microbiological science and how it is applied to fresh produce and food safety
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively with stakeholders across all levels and disciplines.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong project management and organisational skills
• Strong work ethic, deadline-focused

Salary up to £32k + excellent benefits
Location: Kent
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent, Graduate
Pay: £29,000.00-£32,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Canteen
• Casual dress
• Company events
• On-site parking

Work Location: In perso

• Work closely with suppliers and growers to implement customer microbiology policies and standards.
• Review and maintain internal surveillance risk assessments, communicating updates to relevant teams on a periodic basis.
• Manage the end to end daily surveillance testing process, including surveillance testing schedule, sample submission and results review.
• Coordinate the microbiological compliance monitoring process, monitor and trend results, highlighting where thresholds have been exceeded.
• Investigate with suppliers in the event of microbiological surveillance fails to understand root causes and corrective actions, ensuring all details are captured in the appropriate tracker.
• Collect and review grower level risk assessments to support suppliers management of food safety risks, including chemical risks, microbiological risks and supplier responses to adverse weather events which could impact these risks.
• Support the collation of microbiological compliance documents, including microbiological analysis conducted on water, swabs and raw material.
• Stay up to date with legislative and standards / guidance within the industry and communicate to the relevant teams.
• Support SCTM with delivery of group lab management strategy, including collation and analysis of data as part of surveillance governance and reporting