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The FSQA Master Technician is responsible for managing shift, special assignments and specific program activities at a high level of independent activity. This person is a subject matter expert (SME) in their area and independently manages most if not all aspects of their assigned area. All regulatory, company, and customer policies, programs and SOP's are included in their assigned area. They must ensure all products meet company specifications and are produced in a wholesome manner that meets Company requirements. This requires working closely with other departments on production issues/situations, product dispositions and investigations into root causes for deficiencies. Success requires a comprehensive approach with other departments, customers and corporate management. Must manage quality programs and exercise technical expertise, including training, mentoring and making program and process improvements.
The Master Tech is competent in all QA Technician 1, 2 3 duties and responsibilities.
The Master Tech must stand in for the QA Supervisor when required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: This list is not all inclusive, other duties assigned as necessary.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the work environment, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required or preferred. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Requires a HS Diploma, prefer a B.S. in Meat or Food Science or other related area of study; or 4+ years in the food industry emphasis on meat/pork. Candidate needs a basic knowledge of fresh meat plant operations, Food Industry Regulations (USDA, SSOP, HACCP, and GMP) or the combination of education and experience that enables performance in all aspects of the position. Required: HACCP Certification, basic SQF training and all QA Tech 1, 2 3 skills.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to work well with others. Must be able to perform training and other public speaking duties proficiently. Ability to read, analyze and interpret all FSQA documentation, technical procedures, and/or governmental regulations. Requires the ability to work as a team member and individually to complete given tasks. Must be a proven mentor and teacher for new hires, QA Techs and others on matters pertaining to product quality, quality inspections, GMP and food safety.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents in the English language such as safety files and procedure manuals. Must be able to effectively communicate with management personnel and others within and outside of the organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to apply mathematical applications to practical situations. Must possess strong analytical and metric-based skills.
REASONING ABILITY: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical, diagram, written and/or verbal form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Ability to troubleshoot, analyze varying situations and develop quantifiable solutions.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Proficient in computer skills such as Outlook, Excel and Word, as well as all standard programs used by the industry and the ability to learn and effectively use any and all other computer programs that are or will be made available. Must be organized, detail oriented and possess good troubleshooting skills. Must have reliable transportation.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear. Generally the incumbent must be able to sit and use a computer for extended periods of time. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; move about the facility; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift, push/pull up to 40 pounds. Must be able to climb ladders and platforms and enter confined spaces. Must be able to wear all safety equipment. Individual must be able to effectively work in a laboratory environment as well as normal production environment where temperatures and noise levels may vary.
The FSQA Master Technician is responsible for managing shift, special assignments and specific program activities at a high level of independent activity. This person is a subject matter expert (SME) in their area and independently manages most if not all aspects of their assigned area. All regulatory, company, and customer policies, programs and SOP's are included in their assigned area. They must ensure all products meet company specifications and are produced in a wholesome manner that meets Company requirements. This requires working closely with other departments on production issues/situations, product dispositions and investigations into root causes for deficiencies. Success requires a comprehensive approach with other departments, customers and corporate management. Must manage quality programs and exercise technical expertise, including training, mentoring and making program and process improvements.
The Master Tech is competent in all QA Technician 1, 2 3 duties and responsibilities.
The Master Tech must stand in for the QA Supervisor when required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: This list is not all inclusive, other duties assigned as necessary.
- Ability to train and mentor others, new employees, QA Technicians and Operations, on quality specifications, defect measurement, GMP and food safety rules. The Master Tech is an SME for all products and FSQA procedures in their assigned area. This includes performing Product Shows, preparing and distributing quality documentation, reviewing product for customer visits, leading tours, managing specific FSQA programs and SOP's and being the on-floor voice of the FSQA department.
- Ability to manage special assignments effective and independently. This includes complaint investigation and resolution, Customer visits, training activities, FSQA program verifications and more.
- Conduct all quality inspections in the area of assigned responsibility and manage quality programs. Maintain quality objectives, prevent complaints/claims and keep quality to specifications through accurate inspections, non-compliance procedures, appropriate reporting, corrective actions and accuracy of paperwork along with sample submissions. Routine verifications and inspections include process, metal detector type checks.
- Responsible for determining the root cause for product deficiencies and working with other departments to implement procedure changes, based on predetermined specifications, involving raw materials/finished goods to remedy the cause of any non-compliance as quickly as possible.
- Ability to interpret customer/sales specifications and apply subjective quality decisions to product (i.e.: product appearance, color, texture, etc.).
- Ability to effectively communicate with plant production, plant management and the USDA. Management staff should always be aware of when issues arise. It is the technician's responsibility to communicate these to the appropriate personnel.
- Must be able to keep accurate documentation. Technicians are required to pull/observe a "true sample". This is done by choosing "Random" pieces/carcass/etc. and not by selecting pieces that would either pass or fail.
- Employee is required to conduct operational sanitation inspections. The duties include regular completion of Quality and Food Safety, CCP and sanitation paperwork that should ultimately result in no FS deviations. GMP and Sanitation audits are conducted as directed with documented corrective actions and follow-up as necessary.
- The employee is required to take action in response to poor observations by identifying/correcting deficiencies for negative micro or shelf life data in their area of responsibility with an eye toward improvement.
- Follow all appropriate departmental procedures regarding all potential QA or FS holds.
- Various other tasks can be assigned by the FSQA management team as business needs progress.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the work environment, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required or preferred. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Requires a HS Diploma, prefer a B.S. in Meat or Food Science or other related area of study; or 4+ years in the food industry emphasis on meat/pork. Candidate needs a basic knowledge of fresh meat plant operations, Food Industry Regulations (USDA, SSOP, HACCP, and GMP) or the combination of education and experience that enables performance in all aspects of the position. Required: HACCP Certification, basic SQF training and all QA Tech 1, 2 3 skills.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to work well with others. Must be able to perform training and other public speaking duties proficiently. Ability to read, analyze and interpret all FSQA documentation, technical procedures, and/or governmental regulations. Requires the ability to work as a team member and individually to complete given tasks. Must be a proven mentor and teacher for new hires, QA Techs and others on matters pertaining to product quality, quality inspections, GMP and food safety.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents in the English language such as safety files and procedure manuals. Must be able to effectively communicate with management personnel and others within and outside of the organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to apply mathematical applications to practical situations. Must possess strong analytical and metric-based skills.
REASONING ABILITY: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical, diagram, written and/or verbal form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Ability to troubleshoot, analyze varying situations and develop quantifiable solutions.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Proficient in computer skills such as Outlook, Excel and Word, as well as all standard programs used by the industry and the ability to learn and effectively use any and all other computer programs that are or will be made available. Must be organized, detail oriented and possess good troubleshooting skills. Must have reliable transportation.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear. Generally the incumbent must be able to sit and use a computer for extended periods of time. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; move about the facility; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift, push/pull up to 40 pounds. Must be able to climb ladders and platforms and enter confined spaces. Must be able to wear all safety equipment. Individual must be able to effectively work in a laboratory environment as well as normal production environment where temperatures and noise levels may vary.
