DNA Quality Officer

The DNA Quality Officer will work with the DNA Quality Manager and support the EFS Quality and Compliance team to embed good practice within the DNA Centre including SOC Exam, SOC DNA Processing and Analysis, PACE Processing and Analysis, SOC PQ. The officer should endorse a 'right first-time approach'. The jobholder will provide support to monitor, develop and improve quality within the DNA centre including the maintenance of NDNAD and UKAS accreditation for these services.,

• Ensure DNA centre procedures, processes and systems comply with the Quality Management system, including the maintenance of SOP/WIs and associated documentation such as LCDs.
• Manage the internal quality helpdesk, identifying and resolving trends.
• Attend huddles with the team to accurately communicate trends from the quality helpdesk in a timely manner and work with management to assist in the resolution of analyst specific trends.
• Work with the Technical specialists to troubleshoot any adverse trends in success or repeat rates.
• Promptly communicate quality incidents or near misses to key stakeholders.
• Attend and actively participate in monthly central Q&C meetings.
• Collaborate on the resolution of minor and major level QIs supporting 8D investigations and 5why root cause analysis.
• Assist in the preparation for internal audits, UKAS assessments and finding completion.
• Complete weekly and monthly quality tasks which assist in maintaining compliance of the DNA Centre.
• Work with the quality manager/senior quality officer(s) to set up and track proficiency testing programmes and internal environmental monitoring.
• Work consistently with a proactive approach to reducing instances of poor quality within the DNA centre and engage the team with a quality ethos.
• Provide a thorough induction to QMS and DNA quality through the new starter training package.
• Assist the DNA centre with projects by providing quality assessments such as FMEAs, validation/verification sign offs
• Proactively engage with FINDS activities to maintain a positive working relationship with this stakeholder.
• Lead on quality improvement projects within the DNA centre to improve trends.
• Support with SED and CSED management
• Coordinate with Lambeth to ensure quality and compliance matters are promoted and followed.
• Attendance at key stakeholder meetings to improve quality within the DNA centre.
• Assist with the development of competency and training within the DNA centre.
  
  Essential Knowledge, Experience and Technical Skills
• Previous experience of working in a regulated environment
• Knowledge and understanding of ISO17025 and Forensic Science Regulator's Codes of Practice requirements.
• Knowledge and understanding of FINDS accreditation requirements and technical standards.
Preferred Knowledge, Experience and Technical Skills
• FMEA training
• Experience of 8D and root cause analysis
• Court Awareness training
• Audit training
• Project Management, High levels of integrity and customer focused
• Able to deliver results to a high standard within tight timescales
• Natural problem solver with demonstrated completer/finisher abilities.
• Can do attitude and ability to cope with set backs positively with a solution focused approach
• Organised, meticulous attention to detail and accountable
• Promotes co-operation and commitment within a team to achieve goal.
  
  Eurofins Forensic Services (EFS) is the largest forensic service provider in the UK and Europe. We are part of Eurofins Scientific, which is an international life sciences company, providing a unique range of analytical testing services to clients across multiple industries, to make life and our environment safer, healthier and more sustainable. From the food you eat, to the water you drink, to the medicines you rely on and forensics. Eurofins laboratories work with the biggest companies in the world to ensure the products they supply are safe, their ingredients are authentic, and labelling is accurate. Eurofins is dedicated to delivering testing services that contribute to the health and safety of society and the planet, and to its corporate responsibility to protect the environment and ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion across the entire network of Eurofins companies.
In over 35 years, Eurofins has grown from one laboratory in Nantes, France to 61,000 staff across a decentralised and entrepreneurial network of ca. 900 laboratories in 61 countries. Eurofins companies offer a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods to evaluate the safety, identity, composition, authenticity, origin, traceability and purity of biological substances and products. In 2022, Eurofins generated total revenues of EUR 6.7 billion, and has been among the best performing stocks in Europe over the past 20 years., The values on which Eurofins Forensic Services is founded are; Customer Focus, Quality, Competence & Team Spirit and Integrity.
• Operates within the company's core values and demonstrates these daily
• Takes personal responsibility for the quality of work completed by the team
  
  In return for your hard work and loyal service, we will offer you genuine career and salary progression through our Career Pathways programme, a competitive salary, and a selection of employee benefits via our flexible benefits menu which includes cycle to work, give as you earn, buy and sell holiday. In addition, we also offer the following:
• Life Assurance (3 times annual salary)
• Scottish Widows Company Pension Plan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Employee Service Recognition Rewards
• Celebrating our employees work anniversaries at each milestone
• Perk box membership providing access to discount vouchers and wellness hub
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Health Cash Plan membership
• Enhanced company sick pay scheme
• Refer a friend scheme
• Subscription to mental wellbeing support
Important Notice for Candidates Due to the highly sensitive nature of the work we undertake on-site, applicants should note that security clearance will be required for this role. To gain security clearance you must have five years continuous residency in the UK. Security clearance is undertaken by a third party to police personnel vetting standards (NPPV3 and SC), as such any criminal convictions may prevent you from gaining security clearance.