Quality Assurance Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:
Quality Assurance maintains quality and compliance through setting standards and ensures those standards are met through established procedures. The Quality unit is responsible for inspecting, testing, and/or reviewing all ingredients, finished goods, packaging, and marketing materials, along with maintaining a culture of compliance throughout the Company. The QA Specialist inspects and tests specific products to check for consistent and compliant quality as dictated by certain parameters. Independently investigates and recommends corrective action for quality control problems, assists in quality control training, and assists department in creating internal processes related to quality control. Quality personnel provide support as needed to ensure our processes and products adhere to the high standards that we consider part of our core values here at Fungi Perfecti.
A successful candidate should come to the position or be prepared to establish a strong foundation of knowledge in regulatory process, food safety, and biology. An understanding of fungi-related sciences and microbiology is preferred. The position works Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and is non-exempt; work outside of normal business days and hours may be required. Work is primarily conducted in Tumwater, WA and Shelton, WA, but may involve periodic travel to different locations near Olympia, WA. The position reports to the Quality Assurance Supervisor.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepares samples, purchase orders and submission forms, and sends out samples.
• Files and records sample results and requests quotes for testing in order to maintain compliance.
• Collects, maintains, labels, manages, and stores sample vouchers.
• Assists in and helps prepare for all scheduled and unscheduled audits and inspections, including but not limited to: WSDA, NSF, FDA, KOSHER, etc.
• Creates and closes Purchase Orders as needed via the Company's SAP inventory system.
• Updates, manages, and maintains complaint logs, and corresponds if necessary and files paperwork appropriately in order to maintain compliance.
• Manages UPS pickups, software, and hardware.
• Inspects ingredients including but not limited to: cartons and labels, botanical herbs, oils, chemicals, finished products, standard extracts, crude products, bottles and jerricans, fruit bodies etc.
• Assists in maintaining compliance for environmental hazards, water safety, and contamination through carrying out and maintaining swabbing and water protocols, documentation review and compliance testing.
• Updates SDS paperwork and adheres to SDS protocols.
• Performs organoleptic testing as needed.
• Reviews and approves batch production records, packing and labeling records and other compliance documentation from co-packers and co-manufacturers to ensure timely release of products, ingredients, and components.
• Generate COAs to support distribution of raw materials and finished goods.
• Works independently on a regular basis with appropriate checks and balances with supervisor.
• Performs a variety of other duties as directed by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• One (1) or more years of industry experience in food or dietary supplement industry; specifically experience with food safety, quality, or regulatory systems.
• Four (4) year degree in biology, food sciences, chemistry, microbiology, or related disciplines preferred.
• Ability to be highly effective in time management, meeting deadlines, attention to detail, organization, decision-making and problem solving.
• Excellent computer skills required including ability to effectively utilize Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to effectively utilize language skills, mathematical skills, and cognitive reasoning skills.
• Possess valid driver's license acceptable in the state of Washington.

PHYSICAL & MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to demonstrate a good understanding in the areas of food safety, dietary manufacturing regulations and Quality Assurance.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds on an infrequent basis.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time when required.
• Ability to stand for extended periods when performing work in the field.
• Ability to work in extreme temperature variations when performing work in the field.
• Ability to utilize the sense of sight (close vision, color vision and ability to focus); ability to listen and smell; and may be required to taste as needed.
• Ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
• Ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Ability to engage in both inductive and deductive reasoning.

Wage Range: $24.38- $32.98/hour
For information about our benefits, please go to: https://fungi.com/pages/fungi-perfecti-llc-summary-of-benefits
The Company's pay range for this job is published in compliance with the State of Washington 's Equal Pay Opportunities Act and is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with labor market data, or other applicable law.
Fungi Perfecti, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, national origin, disability, or veteran status.