Quality Specialist

JOB SUMMARY

The Quality Specialist reports to the manager responsible for corporate Food Safety and Employee Safety. This position also has responsibility for continuously improving and managing the execution of all GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) Quality, Food Safety and Employee Safety activities that occur within the Skidmore Warehouse and Blending/Repackaging Operations in West Chester, OH. This position requires constant oversight, training and validation of these programs. The Quality Specialist is the quality advocate for the site, proving leadership for the quality, food safety and employee safety programs, specifically those involving operations.

Regulatory Compliance

As acting Safe Quality Food (SQF) Practitioner, maintains and ensures compliance of a qualified Food Safety Program based on HACCP and Preventive Controls.

Assures compliance to third-party audit requirements and customer food safety programs.

Perform all duties necessary to meet food safety or legislative requirements as sanctioned by regulatory bodies such as the FDA, ODA and SQFI.

Leads the site management review for facility compliance and corrective actions and will lead all internal and third-party audits.

Act as site Safety Coordinator to ensure adherence to OSHA requirements.

Food Safety Programs

Manage the site Food Safety and Quality program.

Manage new hire Food Safety training on the topics of SQF, HACCP, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Allergen Control, Pest Control, Food Defense and Food Fraud

Responsible for leading the implementation and verification of the following policies and programs:

HACCP, GMPs, Sanitation, Pest Control, Food Defense, Crisis Management, Non-confirming Product, Corrective and Preventative Actions, Product Release, Environmental Monitoring, Allergen Control

Lead the site management review for facility compliance and validation for the Food Safety Management System

Lead monthly Food Safety Management Meeting and Facility/ GMP Walkthrough

Lead annual Food Defense Vulnerability Assessment

Lead investigations for Food Safety or Quality related customer complaints

Control further processing or delivery of non-conforming product in terms of Food Safety and Quality issues until the deficiency or unsatisfactory condition has been corrected

Determine the disposition of all raw materials, packaging and finished product HOLD orders.

Identify and initiate action to prevent the occurrence of non-conformances relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, and quality system.

Inform Management of any Food Safety or Quality issues or of any processes, which

become noncompliant with specified requirements.

Serves as the site contact for all Quality, Food Safety, Kosher issues.

Verify effectiveness and completion of all HACCP paperwork

Release production rooms through post-op sanitation inspections.

Trend and report KPIs such as Facility/GMP Audit scores, customer complaints, environmental monitoring, finished product testing results and pest control inspections to corporate Food Safety program manager.

Employee Safety Programs

Manage the site Employee Safety program.

Maintains OSHA records, accident reports and manages communication of reportable accidents.

Manage new hire Employee Safety training on industrial lifts such as fork truck, scissor lift or articulating boom.

Serves as the site contact for all Employee Safety issues.

Coordinate and schedule safety refresher trainings.

Collect industrial lift inspections in order to report and follow up on any findings.

Support to Staff & Other Departments

Actively contributes to efforts for continual improvement through critical thinking, staying informed on industry best practices and regulatory changes, and seeking appropriate training opportunities.

Participates as a member of Crisis Management and Recall teams in the event of a crisis or recall.

In the absence of immediate supervisor, will assume necessary operational and administrative

duties.

Clerical/General Administrative

Responds to routine emails, phone calls, etc

Makes copies, prints documents, mail delivery, etc

Files paperwork

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive and the employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and other management as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience

Knowledge and skills at a level normally acquired through the completion of an Bachelors degree in Biology or a related discipline.

2-5 years of professional experience managing in operations with GMP/Sanitation/Food Safety Responsibilities.

Licenses/Credentials/Certifications

HACCP Certificate required

PCQI Certificate preferred

Specialized Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Prior experience as an SQF Practitioner is required.

Understanding of the principles of food safety as applied to warehouse operations and ingredient blending.

Process oriented and trained in manufacturing best practices

Strong communication skills and able to motivate people daily in a face past environment

Motivated individual with an active continuous improvement approach

Detail oriented, organized, highly accurate, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Conscientious and flexible to the changing needs and demands of work

Able to work independently and demonstrate initiative in decision making in a fast-paced environment

Strong team building skills; gains the trust and respect of colleagues and direct reports to drive consistent results

Sage X3 experience a plus

Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, particularly proficient in Outlook and Excel

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Working Hours/Environment

Office hours are 40 per week Monday Friday, 7:00 5:00; may require additional hours periodically, including evening and weekends depending on business needs.

Work typically performed in an indoor warehouse setting.

Occasional exposure to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; dust, outside weather conditions; risk of electrical shock; and vibrations.

Moderate to loud noise level.

Tools and Equipment Used

Personal computer, copier, fax/scanner, phone, and other typical office equipment.

Hand trucks, forklifts, hand held scanners and box cutters.

Travel

Minimal less than 5% of the time

Physical & Mental Demands

Frequently required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, talk or hear, and taste or smell.

Occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Ability to work at a computer terminal for extended periods of time.

Digital dexterity and hand/eye coordination in operation of office equipment.

Regular lifting and/or moving objects up to 10 pounds; frequent lifting and/or moving objects up to 50 pounds, and occasional lifting and/or moving objects that weigh more than 100 pounds.

Specific vision abilities requiring close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

Ability to speak to and hear employees/clients via phone or in person.

Body motor skills sufficient to enable incumbent to move around the warehouse environment.

This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. This job description is not intended and should not be construed, to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or work conditions associated with the job. Furthermore, the employer reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.