Quality Assurance & Compliance Specialist

TITLE:                 Quality Assurance & Compliance Specialist

REPORTS TO:    Quality Control Manager

FLSA STATUS:    Exempt       

SHIFT:                  8am-5pm (+ overtime as needed)

This position is open to any qualified INDIVIDUAL regardless of sex, race, age, color, religion, national origin or disability.

Position purpose:

Assist Quality Assurance department in a variety of administrative support functions including interdepartmental communications on quality systems, document control, pest control, internal auditing and additional supporting roles and special projects. Provide support in the continuous improvement of current Quality Systems. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. QA supports contact to other parts of the organization on a variety of product quality items (R&D, refrigerated warehouse, ambient warehouse, customer service, customers, management, employees, etc).
2. Quality Systems
• Oversee Document Control Program  
  • Ensure documents are reviewed on an annual basis.
  • Review of documentation to meet required food safety standards such as HACCP, SQF, FDA, and Customer requirements.
• Develop and maintain an internal auditing system, issue and follow-up on non-conformances for resolution. Assist and prepare, track, trend data as related for management team.
• Develop and enforce established Food Safety and Quality programs and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor Food Safety and Quality programs for effectiveness in a collaborative manner with plant managers and supervisors.
• Investigation / initiation of continuous quality improvement program
• Determine Gaps in current Quality System and prioritize continuous improvement activities surrounding gaps.
• Support various Quality Systems such as complaint investigations, CAPA, change control, audit follow-up and corrective actions.
• Assist in creating new policies, procedures, and forms to meet customer and regulatory requirements.
• Formalize training material for new or existing programs.
• Review and update HACCP plans when regulatory requirements and customer expectations change.
• Assist in track and managing corrective action resulting from hold disposition.
• Support the Environmental Monitoring Program and Sanitation Program as needed.
  • Assist in root cause investigations, follow-up activities, and corrections
• Audit support role - FDA, SQF, AIB, Regulatory, Customer, Identity Preserved etc. 
  • Assist in documentation retrieval and program dialogue as needed
3. Oversee Integrated Pest Management Program (IMP).
   • Assist in reporting of KPI data.
   • Track and trend non-conformances and report to management team
4. Special projects, including packaging specifications, raw material specifications, etc.
5. Seeks to improve training in skills required for the position. 
6. Adhere to Company Policies, Procedures, and Rules.
7. Create and maintain a safe working environment.
8. Create and maintain a clean and sanitary working environment.
9. Maintain a positive, team-oriented attitude.
10. Perform any other work duties as assigned.
11. Work interdepartmentally with operations employees and managers to successfully meet their needs.

Education/Experience/Skills Required

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required; Scientific / Analytical background preferred; 5 years lead or supervisory experience in quality control.

 Leadership role in previous position.

 Effective written and verbal communication skills.

 Technical writing skill-set.

 Ability to interact professionally with supervision and management.

Strong troubleshooting skills.

Detailed and focused approach to support decision making process.

HACCP Certification or extensive knowledge of HACCP system 

Knowledge of SQF or other GFSI certifications.

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans