Taste Panel Co-ordinator

Overview

As Taste Panel Coordinator, you'll play a critical role in ensuring our products meet defined sensory and quality attributes throughout their shelf life. You'll coordinate and lead structured taste panels, manage sensory training, support laboratory and sampling programmes, and work closely with QA, NPD, and Commercial teams to drive quality excellence. This is a hands-on, highly collaborative role, ideal for someone who thrives in a food manufacturing environment and enjoys turning data and feedback into positive action.

• Collect representative samples from each production run and organize and lead regular taste panels to agreed schedules.
• Ensure products are paneled at end of shelf life at set frequencies and conduct panels in a structured manner with clearly communicated attributes.
• Train panel attendees in line with retailer and customer requirements and support customer panels and "buy-back" panels.
• Record results accurately and share clear reports with relevant stakeholders and review panel data for trends and escalate findings for weekly complaints and quality meetings.
• React promptly to out-of-specification results, instigating investigations or placing product on hold where required.
• Adhere to microbiological, nutritional, Free From, claims, authenticity, and pesticide sampling schedules.
• Manage nutritional testing results and support investigations into OOS findings.
• Assist with raw material, WIP, and finished product testing—especially for claim-critical products.
• Maintain up-to-date QAS documentation.
• Manage stock takes and ordering of consumables (e.g. swabs, sampling kits) and raise purchase orders for testing and consumables.
• Be an active member of the Internal Auditing Team, including process audits and support QA Manager and QA Team with audits, investigations, and day-to-day QA activities.

• Essential
• Experience in a food manufacturing environment (technical or production).
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• Confident communicator, both written and verbal.
• Positive, proactive problem-solving mindset.
• Competent in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Desirable Qualifications
• Food Safety Level 3
• HACCP Level 3
• Campden BRC Sensory Training
• Internal Auditing Training
• Understanding of retailer Codes of Practice and BRC standards

The Compleat Food Group fosters an inclusive, respectful culture where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. We welcome diverse talent, knowing it drives exceptional results and a better workplace. We are committed to fairness, equity, inclusivity, and respect, and we ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves to work. We are an equal opportunities employer and provide support to succeed.

Contact us with questions about Diversity & Inclusion or accessibility during the application process.

• Financial & Lifestyle Benefits
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
• 33 days' annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to purchase extra
• Holiday Discounts via our online retail platform
• Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
• Free product handouts across our sites
• EV charging points - available at selected sites
• Health & Wellbeing
• 24/7 access to Grocery Aid for free financial, emotional, and practical support
• Physical Wellbeing Hub - free on-demand exercise classes, gym discounts
• Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes
• Online wellbeing support - from mindfulness to lifestyle resources
• Financial wellbeing tools - including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid
• Charity initiatives and fundraising events
• Volunteer days and team social events
• Employee networks & support groups including Women @ Compleat
• New baby gift for new parents