Quality Assurance Lead

JOB SUMMARY:

Quality Assurance Lead plays a critical role within our manufacturing plant and supports our production team to drive production while maintaining high standards for safety, quality and efficiency standards. This position will assist in leading the QA Team.. The QA Lead will have a strong focus on, Quality, Food Safety, Micro processes, QA audits, SQF’s and customer/government regulatory guidelines.

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Uphold consumer and employee safety, while maintaining brand integrity.
• Maintain and enforce Food Safety Plans and allergen program.
• Responsible for SQF certification process and achievement of SQF certification.
• Assist in managing the quality and housekeeping departments.
• Function as the Preventative Controls Qualified Individual in maintaining and improving the Food Safety Plans & programs.
• Work with auditors that represent 3rd-party, USDA, Kosher, Organic & Orange County Wastewater District.
• Maintain food safety status though audit programs, such as Silliker, SQF, Organic, Kosher & FDA.
• Track & trend all Environmental Monitoring Data, Finished Product Micro Data, CAPA's & quality data to improve supply-chain, sanitation, production process and allergen programs.
• Working with maintenance to improve sanitary design of processing equipment.
• Responsible for developing & engaging the team and promoting new recruitment.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Generate & finalize all nutritional, and labeling information.
• Interact with production, purchasing, warehouse & maintenance to bring a new concept from idea to finished goods.
• Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree required in biology, chemistry, microbiology or food technology preferred.
• Must be able to work in a refrigerated environment of 30ºF to 45ºF up to 12 hours.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to work in a team environment
• Must have people and communication skills.

Experience:

• 2 years of experience working at a QA Leadcapacity
• 4 years of experience working in food manufacturing.

Overall Requirements:

Willingness to work in a cold environment

Ability to understand plant KPI’s (production, quality & safety)

Ability to work in fast paced environment

Understands yield standards

Performs basic housekeeping tasks

Testing is required

Follows all GMP, PPE & Safety Guidelines & handbook

Able to work flexible schedule

Comply with SQF Regulatory Programs

Team player-able to work on a team environment

Knowledge of HACCP & Sanitation guidelines & processes

Ability to multi-task

Ability to be cross trained and multitask in multiple positions

Lead people & communication skills

Be able to operate freezer, filler etc. and control overrun