Associate - Food Quality

The Food Quality Associates works under the direction of the Food Safety & Control Manager. This position will assist in maintaining, documenting changes, weekly cycle counts to the inventory control system for all food and raw materials received during inbound shipment retrieval and for completion of the weekly expiration report. The position assists with implementing, monitoring, and maintaining divisional Standard Operating Procedures in accordance with state, local, and federal requirements regarding safe food handling practices; and assesses the quality and safety of products received in the warehouse.

1. Performs food safety and quality checks on random samplings of the products. Identifies, isolates, and reports poor quality or potentially unsafe food products to the Quality Control Specialist or designee.
2. Recommends process changes to management, regarding stock, materials, the Newton, Heartland Mosaic, and Heartland Edison and other warehouse related matters.
3. Ensures products are received at the correct temperature by taking and recording temperatures and visually observing product appearances for evidence of thawing, re-freezing, freezer burns, leakage, dented, or swollen cans.
4. Inspects products, decodes expiration dates, and determines the shelf life of the product is compliant with HACCP & food safety regulations.
5. Assists with inventory cycle counts and reports inventory shortages; and ensures all inventory transactions are properly documented in Heartland Edison in accordance with ICN standard operating procedures and notifies management of inventory discrepancies using FIFO.
6. Participates as a cross-functional team member during food safety investigation by providing support to other positions handling operational issues related to food safety, quality, and inventory control levels for accuracy to document on the weekly Expiration Report.
7. Prepares production tags for goods received in the warehouse to include product item numbers, product names, dates received, expiration dates, and pallet counts; and places completed tags on pallets as identifiers.
8. Repackages salvageable products, places manufacturing information on boxes, labels and records repackaged products on Repackaging forms.
9. Completes daily distribution log & refusal log with all pertinent delivery information related to the items received.
10. Conducts monthly swabs (live bacteria cultures) surface samples of the shipping dock, warehouse, freezer/cooler storage locations, and the central kitchen to be analyzed by a third-party laboratory. 
11. Attends trainings and completes all mandatory on-line trainings and meetings as required to maintain and enhance job knowledge and skill set.
12. Performs other related duties as assigned or directed.

Requires High School diploma, GED or equivalent plus an additional year (1) of related experience in warehouse, manufacturing, or food service for a total of one (1) year.  (PROOF OF EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND/OR EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED)

Degree Equivalency Formula:

Bachelor’s Degree= 4 years plus required years of experience.

Master’s Degree=6 years plus required years of experience. 

• Knowledge of food safety and large volumes of food storage
• Knowledge of inventory control practices, warehouse systems, and Safe school operations
• Excellent computer skills including a working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Ability to ensure food safety standards are met
• Ability to calibrate thermometers and operate infrared thermometers
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to manage work time efficiently.
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines while following procedures and policies
• Ability to read and interpret manufacture’s storage instructions
• Skilled in operating power-driven equipment including forklifts and pallet jacks

Physical Demands: Requires sedentary work involving standing or walking for extended periods, exerting up to 50 pounds of force on a regular basis; and some dexterity in operating office equipment; must be able to use hands and fingers for sign language.

Unavoidable Hazards:  The position is exposed to no unusual environmental hazards.

Sensory (ADA) Requirements: The position requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing and speaking abilities.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE

MSCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  MSCS provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.