What does a Group Quality Coordinator do?

My role involves supporting our 3 freeze dried manufacturing sites (France, China & USA) with a number of quality topics. Primarily I am responsible for the Global Quality Management system (Documents and Procedures) and supporting sites with complaint investigations and comms with customers. My role also involves quality reporting and numerous projects relating to quality requests/ improvements within the business.

How did you end up in this job?

I started my career with a level 6 degree apprenticeship in food technology. Upon graduating I spent some time in development, but felt the technical side of the business was more for me! From there I worked for a business that supported retailers with technical tasks but after some time I felt I needed a new challenge. I was lucky enough to be offered the remote role with Chaucer which I started in March 2025. Since, I have been getting my teeth into various projects and supporting the global business with various quality topics.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of pursuing this career?

The food industry may not be glamourous (white coats, wellies and hair nets) but is a job where you can guarantee variety and a challenge. Rarely two days are the same, and its great to feel like you’ve had an impact on the food consumers are eating. I would also say it’s a great industry for job security because people will always need food to eat!

What’s the best thing about your job?

The best thing about my job is the amazing people I work with from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Working for a global business was new to me when I joined Chaucer, but has been great to work with such a variety of people and get to travel around seeing different sites and working with many people. Its also helped me brush up on my French!

If you had the chance to do it all over again, what would you do the same / differently?

If I had the chance to do it all over again, I certainly would have still chosen the apprenticeship route. Another thing I also would do the same is to always jump at opportunities that come your way, each is a great opportunity to learn and grow. One thing I would do differently is always to speak up when things get tough, suffering in silence is never a good solution and there will always be people in your caught to support you through tough times.

How long have you been doing your job?

I have been doing my role as Group Quality Coordinator with Chaucer since March 2025, however have been in the industry for a number of years now. The few different roles I have done has given me a great understanding of many aspects of the food industry and how they interlink.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

Its hard to say as I am very much someone who takes my career as it comes! I don’t like to hold myself to a strict plan, as I’ve always felt the right opportunities have cropped up when I needed them. I would eventually like to train to be an auditor, or develop into a role that involved auditing as I think this would satisfy my investigatory nature and give me the opportunity to develop my skills further.

If you could give your 16 year old self some career advice, what would it be?

Don’t be pigeon holed into going to university when you know its not right for you. There are many possible career paths and an apprenticeship is a fantastic route just as worthy if not better than conventional university! Do your research, polish your CV and apply for roles that you will really enjoy. You will spend a lot of time at work, so make sure its something you are interested in and will get lots out of.