daves Food Stores is a leading FMCG production and retail group committed to delivering safe, high-quality food products across its supply chain. We value precision, compliance, and continuous improvement in food manufacturing.

We are seeking a proactive Food Quality Controller to ensure product quality, regulatory compliance, and production efficiency across our food production facility.

Role Overview

The Food Quality Controller is responsible for safeguarding product quality, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations, and supporting production efficiency. The role has authority over quality holds and labelling approval, acting as the key link between production operations and quality standards.

Job Details

Quality Inspection and Compliance
- Inspect raw materials, packaging, and finished goods against specifications.
- Perform in-line quality checks (weight, fill, temperature, texture, visual standards).
- Ensure compliance with HACCP, ISO 22000, and food safety regulations.
- Raise and manage NCRs, including product holds where necessary.
- Maintain accurate batch records, traceability, and quality documentation.
Labelling Control
- Verify all product labels before production (ingredients, allergens, dates, batch codes).
- Approve label changes with the Production Manager and the commercial team.
- Conduct finished goods label audits prior to dispatch.
- Maintain label register and version control records.
Weight and Yield Control
- Monitor net weight and fill accuracy within legal tolerances.
- Calibrate and maintain checkweighers and measuring equipment.
- Investigate over / under-fill issues with the Production Manager.
- Track waste and material giveaways and recommend improvements.
Production Efficiency and Improvement
- Identify bottlenecks and quality-related production losses.
- Support OEE improvement by reducing rejects and rework.
- Participate in daily production meetings and report quality metrics.
- Support RCA and CAPA investigations.
- Recommend process improvements to improve yield and efficiency.
Supplier and Customer Quality Interface
- Support supplier quality investigations and follow-ups.
- Assist with customer complaints and corrective actions.
- Provide documentation for audits and compliance requests.
- Maintain supplier quality performance records.
Training and Quality Culture
- Train production staff on hygiene, quality standards, and labelling.
- Promote a strong quality-first culture on the production floor.
- Support new product introductions and trial approvals.
- Ensure adherence to SOPs and food safety procedures.

What Makes You A Strong Candidate

Minimum 3 years’ experience in food quality control or food safety.
Promote a strong quality-first culture on the production floor.
Strong knowledge of HACCP and food safety systems.
Understanding of EU food labelling regulations and traceability.
Experience with checkweighers, calibration, and in-line QC systems.
Ability to manage NCRs, batch records, and quality documentation accurately.
Strong attention to detail and confident decision-making under pressure.
Experience in root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
Strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.
Ability to train and support production operatives.
Proficiency in Excel or similar reporting tools.

Why You’ll Love It Here

5% staff discount on shopping at daves Food Stores.
Ongoing training and development opportunities.
Career growth prospects within the group.

You’ll also be part of a fast-paced environment where quality, teamwork, and continuous improvement are valued every day.

If you’re ready to take the next step with daves Food Stores, we look forward to your application!

Food Quality Controller

Job Description