Senior Quality Assurance Technologist

In Australia, the J.R. Simplot Company's core operations are food manufacturing and agriculture, encompassing potato, vegetable, seafood and sauce operations. We supply a wide range of frozen, shelf-stable and chilled products to major retail and foodservice customers in Australia and New Zealand. The Simplot Global Food business includes 17 food manufacturing and processing sites, serving retail and foodservice customers in 37 countries, with 8,000 people across North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific. Globally, the J.R. Simplot Company employs 15,000 people, driving innovation and excellence across diverse industries.

Within the Australian market, we are a leading provider of quality, nourishing and sustainable food, focussed on creating meals that maximises value from the best Australian-grown produce and global seafood. Our iconic brands have been an integral part of Aussie life for generations, and include Leggo's, Birds Eye, Edgell, John West and Chiko.

Culture And Benefits

At Simplot, we are fueled by our purpose: We Contribute to Feeding Our World. We imagine a better future and set goals to reach it. We are committed to working as one Simplot and are guided by our shared values:

• Respect for Resources
• Spirit of Innovation
• Passion for People
  
  
  

We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. We care about creating an environment that promotes safety and wellbeing and where our people feel supported, respected and empowered. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all our team members.

Simplot is passionate about cultivating a future where good ideas and inspiring possibilities have the chance to grow. We want our team members to build exciting and fulfilling careers with us and offer professional and personal growth opportunities.

The Perks

• Annual incentive / bonus program
• Personal and professional development opportunities
• Fully supplied & laundered uniform, boots & PPE
• Company provided on-site soft tissue specialist appointments
• Income protection insurance provided
• Discounted health insurance options
• A domestic relocation package can be negotiated for the right candidate
  
  
  

About Our Role

• Operations based, senior Quality Assurance (QA) position
• Investigate, implement and drive QA initiatives within a food manufacturing environment
• Permanent full-time position, Kelso based
  
  
  

Here at Simplot Kelso we have an opportunity for a Senior Quality Assurance Technologist to join our site based Quality team. Simplot Kelso is our seafood and snacking processing plant, producing approx. 50 tonnes of product daily (75 SKUs) for the retail and foodservice markets including Birds Eye, I&J and Captain's Catch branded products. The site employs approx. 120 local employees, with approximately 95% of manufactured goods consisting of either Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) or Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) seafood.

Reporting to the QA Manager, this Monday to Friday role (day work) will contribute significantly to the implementation, maintenance and correct functioning of the facility's Quality Systems and Simplot's Food Safety requirements, in addition to acting as a 2IC in the Quality Manager's absence.

What You Will Do

• Lead improvement in First Time Quality (FTQ) and reduction of consumer complaints
• Be instrumental in the investigation, implementation and driving of quality processes and systems
• Participate in the management and review of HACCP plans and other support programs and will drive quality continuous improvement (CI) initiatives
• Work cross functionally to influence improvements across the site with key stakeholders, including the site leadership team
• Responsibility for the development of robust site hygiene and sanitation procedures as well as the maintenance of the environmental pathogen monitoring program
• Lead investigations into the overall quality program
• Production of Root Cause Analysis (RCA) documentation, challenge testing and presentation of findings
• Responsibility for review of GMP audits
• Validation of quality aligned process activities
• Lead & influence the building of Production Operator capabilities and procedures with respect to Quality Assurance
  
  
  

About You

Bringing a demonstrated passion for quality excellence and with a mindset towards continuous improvement (CI) - the successful candidate will possess the following attributes;

• 100% commitment to health, safety and wellbeing in the workplace
• Demonstrated senior QA experience within a food manufacturing environment (essential)
• Tertiary qualifications in Science / Food Technology / Microbiology
• Sound knowledge of both operational and regulatory GMP requirements
• Possess high attention to detail
• Internal & external auditing experience
• A strong understanding of Quality Management Systems, and experience in interpreting and meeting regulatory and customer standards requirements
• Possess a collaborative and process driven approach, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the business
• Be a self-starter and driven, with time management focus
• Intermediate user of MS Office suite of products (Excel, BI, Word, Outlook etc)
• Willigness to undertake a pre-employment medical
  
  
  

Please click on the "Apply" button to submit your application, ensuring a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role AND an up-to-date resume are included (noting that you will be redirected to the Simplot Careers portal).

APPLICATIONS CLOSE MIDNIGHT SUNDAY 11th JANUARY, 2026. Simplot reserve the right to commence shortlisting prior to advert closing date.

Job Requisition ID: 24549

Travel Required: Less than 10%

Location(s): GF Plant - Kelso

Country: Australia

Simplot is an equal opportunity employer and encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply. If you feel you would be a great addition to our team please apply online today, we would love to hear from you. If you require technical assistance, please email us at careers.contact@simplot.com