Food jobs in Middlesbrough

This role will require you to work 2 x 5 hour shifts, between Monday - Friday.

Start time: 5pm

Finish time: 10pm

What are the Key Deliverables in this role ?

Financial Outcomes

• Support the delivery of right-first-time quality standards by carrying out accurate tea tasting, tea making and physical testing activities prior to product release for packing, helping to minimise quality issues, avoid unnecessary downtime and protect product quality across the full range of GB and International products blended at the Eaglescliffe factory. The role has no direct budget responsibility.

Customer Service

• Ensure all teas and botanicals meet defined quality and food safety standards prior to release, supporting product consistency and protecting the end consumer experience through robust organoleptic assessment, approval of hoppers for packing, and adherence to hygiene and housekeeping standards.

Internal Processes

• Carry out organoleptic assessment and approval of black, green and flavoured teas and botanicals, prepare accurate tea samples for tasting, perform physical testing including density, particle size, dust, moisture, water activity and caffeine testing, and operate NIR equipment to analyse and approve moisture and caffeine results. Support quality investigation through initial review of production or quality issues and escalate findings to the Quality Technician. Maintain stock freezes, DRMs, consumer complaints and all quality records within SAP or other systems.

Innovation and Learning

• Support continuous improvement in quality control through effective use of NIR technology, SAP and standard quality systems, while maintaining defined standards in a fast-paced production environment. The role requires the ability to work accurately under artificial light, multitask effectively and avoid downtime, contributing to execution excellence and reliable quality assurance processes.
• Work closely with the Quality Technician and wider production teams by providing timely quality testing cover on the evening shift, supporting the smooth release of product for packing and ensuring any issues are identified, recorded and escalated appropriately. The role requires a high level of independence in tea tasting or quality lab activities, with minimal supervision.

What are the Critical success factors for the Role ?

• Strong organoleptic skills with the ability to assess and approve black, green and flavoured teas and botanicals.
• Experience operating NIR equipment and interpreting moisture and caffeine results.
• Working knowledge of SAP and quality documentation processes. [Job descri...eplacement | Outlook]
• Production or blending experience relevant to tea tasting or quality testing activities.
• Ability to work independently in a largely unsupervised role while maintaining defined quality standards.
• Strong attention to detail, good multitasking capability and ability to maintain standards whilst working under artificial light and time pressure.

What are the Desirable success factors for the Role ?

• Previous experience in a tea tasting, quality lab or manufacturing quality environment. (suggested wording based on the role profile)
• Good problem-solving skills and confidence in carrying out initial investigation of quality or production issues before escalation.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to maintain accurate quality records and follow defined processes consistently.
• A proactive approach to hygiene, housekeeping and quality compliance in a food production setting.

Pay: £14.58-£14.59 per hour

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Canteen
• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free flu jabs
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person