Summary

Plans, coordinates, and directs quality assurance program designed to ensure quality production of products consistent with established standards by performing the following duties personally or through employees. Oversees and manages food safety related tasks in the facility.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Mentor quality and operations management team on food safety policies and issues as they arise.

Determines overall plant product quality by conducting and evaluating various product sampling tests and tests related to raw materials/ingredients and packaging.

Informs plant management of progress of failures in daily production and any other matters that may affect the plant efficiency and/or company.

Resolves major quality problems at plant production facilities, warehouses and market areas as required.

Evaluates and takes corrective action when necessary with regard to product date coding and trade age management at all assigned levels of product movement.

Consults with plant management on operational procedures to improve overall production efficiency.

Prepares plant evaluation reports and submits them to the Assistant VP Tech Services.

Coordinates new product development and plant introduction.

Assists in the development of special department projects in conjunction with the Assistant VP Tech Services.

Trains and instructs plant personnel in recommended quality control testing, equipment sanitation and general housekeeping practices, and audits, confirms, and ensures these procedures are being maintained.

Supervise Lab positions and fill in when necessary.

Ensure USDA regulatory compliance, HACCP, SSOP, SOP, GMP, and SQF program for product quality, performance and safety. Plant contact for USDA issues and events.

Provide responses, letters, and communication for major plant events, customer concerns, and external communications for FSQA department.

Identify and lead special projects and process improvement initiatives related to food safety and quality

Advocate and maintain a strong commitment to safety in the operating process.

Create/Improve food safety training for all plant employees.  Including specialized training for various CCP and prerequisite programs.

Review and inspect any new plant equipment to ensure food safety and sanitation needs are met.

Direct Supervisor of assigned workers and may be required to perform activities of workers supervised.

Other duties/responsibilities as assigned by management.

Requirements

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree

5+ years industry related experience

Supervisory experience to salaried employees

HACCP Certification

SQF Practitioner

Bilingual preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to aid in the development and implementation of new systems.

Ability to plan work on a daily schedule, work independently and be a highly motivated individual.

Ability to perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) Word Processing software.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

Ability to communicate effectively – verbally & in writing – to employees, Management, customers and vendors.

Ability to write routine reports and quality documents.

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may be required regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; extreme cold and extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability