QA Technician Food Compliance Specialist

Graphic Packaging International - Gateshead & Newburn

Join a global leader in sustainable packaging and build your future with us.

At Graphic Packaging International, we create innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for some of the world's most recognised food, beverage, and household brands. Our Gateshead site is a key part of our global manufacturing network, delivering high-quality printed and converted paperboard packaging in a fast-paced, high-performing environment.

Alongside this, our Newburn facility specialises in producing punnets for fresh food applications, offering tailored packaging solutions to our customers.

Across both sites, you'll find a supportive, team-driven culture where safety, quality, and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything we do. We're proud to offer employees the opportunity to grow within a global business while making a meaningful impact locally.

Location: Gateshead & Newburn (covering two sites)
All candidates should make sure to read the following job description and information carefully before applying.
Salary: Up to £28,500 per annum
Full Time | Permanent
About the Role

We are looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Quality Technician - Food Compliance & Customer Relations Specialist to join our Quality team.

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with quality assurance experience within a manufacturing environment to support the maintenance of our Quality Management Systems and ensure ongoing compliance with food safety, hygiene and industry standards.

You will play a key role in supporting customer satisfaction, managing food compliance activities, conducting audits, investigating complaints and driving continuous improvement across our North East operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the maintenance of ISO 9001, PS9000 and BRCGS standards.
• Conduct internal quality and hygiene audits.
• Provide a visible shop floor presence, promoting quality and hygiene best practices.
• Manage and maintain quality documentation and records.
• Support HACCP, TACCP and VACCP compliance activities.
• Collate and analyse quality performance data and KPIs.
• Assist with customer complaint investigations and root cause analysis.
• Support supplier approval processes and supplier questionnaires.
• Ensure quality control equipment is calibrated and maintained.
• Promote continuous improvement, quality culture and GMP standards.
• Deliver quality-related training across site where required.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Previous experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of quality systems and food safety compliance.
• Experience supporting quality and hygiene standards.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to influence and work effectively with colleagues at all levels.
• Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Excel, Outlook and Word.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Relevant quality qualifications.
• Internal auditing experience.
• Knowledge of HACCP and food packaging standards.

You will be:

• Highly organised and able to manage multiple tasks.
• Reliable, flexible and self-motivated.
• Comfortable working within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• A strong team player with a positive, can-do attitude.
• Committed to delivering excellent quality and customer service

Right to Work

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role now or in the future. Therefore, candidates requiring sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route will not be considered.

Our Values

We are guided by our core values of:

• Integrity – keeping promises and acting honestly.
• Respect – valuing the skills and opinions of others.
• Accountability – taking ownership and continuously improving.
• Relationships – working together and supporting colleagues.
• Teamwork – achieving goals through collaboration.

If you're passionate about quality, food compliance and customer satisfaction, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today! xwwtmva We are a NO Smoking site.

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