Quality Assurance Assistant; Placement - Category Development & Quality

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Job Posting Closing Date:
Tuesday 10th February 2026.

Quality Assurance Assistant – Placement Opportunity

Attractive Salary & Benefits

36.5 Hour week (Hybrid)

Newtownabbey

12-month Higher Education Placement commencing May/June 2024

Who are we?

Henderson Group are proud to be Northern Ireland’s leading food service provider. Our group encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Food service and Henderson Group Property. We employ over 5,700 colleagues and have been placed 3rd in Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2025. We re proud to be an Investors in People accredited employer, and our culture is lived out through our four core values
- Ambition, Customer First, Teamwork and Integrity.

Henderson Wholesale is a leading Wholesaler in Northern Ireland and supplies goods to over 450 stores across various brands such as SPAR, EUROSPAR and VIVO. We source from local farmers, growers and producers and are proud to contribute to our local economy and environment.

A look into the role

Our Quality Assurance Assistant placement opportunity is designed to work in partnership with relevant stakeholders ensuring fresh food products and suppliers meet Henderson Group specifications in relation to food safety, legality, quality, freshness and sustainability.

This is an invaluable role in the continued development of the Group’s total quality management agenda with specific focus on fresh food. This position will allow the successful candidate to maintain a quality management system that focuses on delivering customer satisfaction and continuous business improvement, developing their skills within a thriving fresh food department.

This is an ideal placement for an enthusiastic and proactive individual seeking a fast-paced, commercial environment in one of N.I.’s largest and most varied employers.

As Quality Assurance Assistant you will:

• Ensure required specifications from own brand supply are met, and receive standards from all suppliers.
• Develop & manage quality conformance targets and communication of KPI metrics to supply base
• Analyse and challenge supplier performance against KPI’s
• Maintain a record of supplier non-conformances and corrective actions and ensuring these are sufficiently investigated to prevent re-occurrence
• Support New Product Development processes with specification design and supplier conformance targets and liaise with retail and wholesale customers on fresh food quality issues.

Skills for Success

Joining us as Quality Assurance Assistant the minimum criteria you’ll need is:

• Working towards Third level food related qualification.
• Full UK Driving License.

The attributes you’ll need include:

• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to use initiative.
• Excellent attention to detail.

It is Desirable if you had:

• Possession of allergen training.
• Level 3 Food Hygiene.
• Level 3 HACCP.
• Level 2 Internal Audit.
• Experience working within the food manufacturing industry.

Our Values

Ambition
– We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.

Customer First
– We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities.

Teamwork
– We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.

Integrity
– We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.

The Reward

Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment. We value employee development and heavily invest in our people.

Benefits include market competitive salary, contributory pension scheme, healthcare, life assurance, employee assistance programme, social club, Perks Offers/Discount scheme throughout UK/Ireland, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group.

The successful applicant will be working 36.5 hours per week, 8:45am – 4:45pm Monday to Thursday, and 8:45am-3:45pm Friday.

Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight on Tuesday 10th February 2026.

Hightown Avenue Mallusk, Newtownabbey BT36 4RT
+44 (0) human.