Food Safety & Quality Technician

Our food manufacturing client in Kalamazoo is looking to hire a Food Safety & Quality Technician. Under the direction of the Food Safety & Quality Manager, this Food Safety & Quality Technician provides oversight for the quality, Food Safety and food defence programs in the assigned area/location.Key Responsibilities:· Ensure compliance with product safety and quality parameters in the processing area. This is for company standards, customer requirements, CGMPs, HACCP, USDA, FDA and other regulations as they apply.· As the SQF practitioner or backup SQF practitioner, this position is responsible for the implementation of the SQF program.

It has the authority to take appropriate action(s) to maintain the SQF system integrity.· Perform regularly scheduled sanitation pre-operational verifications· Daily audit of processes, procedures and records· Interface with USDA inspector(s) without department manager· Oversight of product, process, and environmental testing.· Audit and support Food Safety, quality, feed security, biosecurity, and animal welfare programs· Critical thinking. Writing reports, procedures, policies, and plans· Work in tandem with FSQ Manager, Animal Welfare Manager and Senior Compliance Manager to integrate programs and audit birds and feed supply. This is for animal welfare, egg safety, feed safety and quality.· Compilation and analysis of data.· Communication with FSQ Manager, site management, contract flock and mill managers (as applicable), for normal communications, problem identification, out of compliance situations and process improvements.Communication and notification, as necessary, to the Director of QS&C, Senior Compliance Manager, and Animal Welfare Manager.· Participate in Vendor Certification Program.· Responsible for training processing employees and QA technicians about Food Safety and quality.· Provide informal leadership to stakeholders, supervisors, and management regarding quality management and initiatives.

Job Qualifications:· College degree in a related field is preferred but not required.· 1-5 years of experience.· Animal agriculture, food production, food processing, medical or pharmaceutical fields. · SQF, HACCP, ASQ, PAACO, and Water Operator certifications are a plus.· Valid drivers license· Thorough knowledge of food quality systems.· Strong organizational skills are required.· Hands-on, self-starter approach.· Detail orientation.· Ability to handle multiple projects and priorities.· Computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite required.· Formal and informal leadership skills are important.· Good communication skills and the ability to inform, train and motivate employees and contract suppliers to work within company parameters are essential.· Enforce company requirements, take corrective actions and implement preventative actions as needed.· Bi-lingual in Spanish and English is a plus.· Ability to interact with individuals from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.· Ability to hire, train, motivate, and retain talented workers.· Ability to provide effective coaching, mentoring, and discipline.· Ability to plan, execute, and measure results and outcomes.