Quality Assurance Associate

Who we are

Panelto Foods is a privately owned Irish company based in Longford and established in 2004. We produce a range of high quality contemporary sandwich breads for the UK and Irish retail and food service markets, from a highly automated world class bakery. Panelto is seeking to appoint a Management Accountant to help shape the growth of the company over the coming years.

Role Overview

The Quality Associate provides frontline support to the Quality and Operations teams to help ensure food safety, product quality and compliance with internal and customer standards. This is a hands-on, operational role with a focus on in-line checks, data gathering, quality control tasks, and support for non-conformance and improvement activities.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Quality Checks

• Carry out in-line product quality and specification checks (e.g. weight, size, appearance, labelling).
• Support consistency reviews and sampling activities across shifts.
• Escalate any out-of-specification findings or trends to the Quality or Production leads.
• Assist in verification of corrective actions on the line when deviations occur.

Audit & Compliance Support

• Conduct routine checks including GMP, hygiene, foreign body.
• Record and report audit findings clearly and escalate where needed.
• Support allergen segregation checks, traceability sampling, and basic food defence inspections.

Routine Monitoring Tasks

• Carry out water temperature, equipment calibration spot-checks, and scale/probe verification as directed.
• Participate in product inspections, including packaging integrity and code checks.
• Support physical inspection activities during production issues or customer complaints.

General Support Activities

• Assist with line clearance, sample collection, and trial support during new product launches.
• Maintain organised quality paperwork and assist with archiving as required.
• Support on-floor teams during escalations, complaint investigations or rework.

Who we’re looking for?

Key Skills & Attributes:

• Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Capable of working independently and prioritising daily tasks.
• Willing to learn and engage with site quality and safety standards.

Desirable Experience:

• 3rd level qualification in Science /Food Science
• Previous experience in food production or FMCG quality role an advantage but not essential.
• Understanding of HACCP, food hygiene and basic food safety principles (training provided).
• Good IT skills