Ben Dodridge

Ben Dodridge – QA Manager

I joined Bakkavor’s Accelerated Management Scheme in 2004 straight after graduating in Microbiology and Physiology at Nottingham Trent University. I was looking for a training scheme with a large international company who were ready to invest in my potential. My goal was to get experience at different sites and progress within the business as quickly as possible.

I began working specifically for the technical function which involved two work placements at different sites and a structured training and development plan. For the first year my role within the scheme was a QA Auditor at the pizza business in Harrow which gave me a good overall knowledge of a technical department and how food factories work. My second year AMS placement was as a Process Technologist at Tilmanstone Salads in Kent where I looked after factory trials and managed new product launches.

After completing the AMS scheme I moved to Bakkavor Spalding and took my first management role as a Senior Process Technologist. I was responsible for three process technologists working with dips and dressings for all the major retailers across two factories. After two years at Spalding I joined Welcome Foods in Nottinghamshire as their QA Manager. As Welcome was one of the newest acquisitions of the Group, one of my key responsibilities was integrating the Group’s Technical Standards into the new business.

My role as QA Manager is quite varied, and two days are rarely the same. The chilled food sector is very fast paced and making high-quality decisions quickly is essential. The role requires an ability to continually re-assess and re-organise priorities. I also like working with my production colleagues to resolve issues and improve product quality. This involves good communication skills to influence positive change. The banter with the production managers is quite good too!

I enjoy training and developing my team, it gives me great satisfaction to see their technical knowledge grow and consequently their confidence improve. I like them to challenge what they see and make their own decisions. I’m always available to give them advice if they need it. I also like working with the new Technical AMS graduates coming through, and helping them to achieve their goals.

To be a QA Manager at Bakkavor I think influencing skills are critical, and communication needs to be clear and concise. A practical approach to implementing your technical knowledge is essential.