Quality Assurance Supervisor - Irvine Plant

JOB SUMMARY:
Assists Food Safety Director in overseeing systems, processes, and protocols for coordinating, maintaining, and ensuring adequacy of the Food Safety & Quality Assurance programs. This includes enforcement and documentation for all prerequisite programs related to all production, sanitation, and pest control activities for HACCP, USDA, FDA, and SQF related programs.
Executes the Food Safety and Quality Assurance program. Leads QA/QC Technicians in the verification and documentation process on every production line and workstation throughout the plant. Works in conjunction with Production teams in the execution of the Quality Assurance program. Works closely with sanitation and maintenance teams to ensure that equipment works as per manufacturing requirements and keeps them sanitary as per Company's policies and procedures.
Assists Food Safety Director in managing day-to-day Quality Assurance/quality control operations in support of business objectives by ensuring compliance with all standards, policies, and regulations for the environmentally sound production of safe and quality product. Provides leadership to the plant's Quality Assurance, quality control and sanitation functions, and always contributes leadership in continuous improvement initiatives.
Supports and leads the operations team in the implementation of the corporate vision, strategy, quality, policies, and procedures. Supports Food Safety Director in managing all microbiology functions in plant.
Monitors the quality of the manufacturing and food safety process from incoming to finished product shipment, ensuring formulations and quality standards are adhered to, adequate sanitation standards are always maintained, and packaging requirements match industry standards. Execute strategic goals that align with business objectives.
Works directly or indirectly with customers, customer service, vendors, and sales teams as needed regarding quality related matters including audits, cuttings, specifications, customer complaints and compliance. Works as part of the leadership team in manufacturing process strategies with the science and technology team.
Exemplifies the desired culture, values, and philosophies of the NGM organization:
Servant Leadership, Hard Work, Respect, Loyalty, Unity, Innovation, Communication, Openness, Objectivity, Education, Humility, Trust & Honesty.
This position leads by example. Maintains a positive work environment and ensures fair and consistent treatment of all associates. Demonstrates care and compassion for people; shows empathy and concern. Set a positive example of the company values and excellent customer service.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The essential duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Monitor and verify the HACCP, GMP, SSOP, PC functions in plant.
• Under the direction of Food Safety Director, directly interacts with any official from the USDA, FDA, Health Department, or any other government official.
• Responsible for establishing the integrity of the quality system and sanitation processes and procedures.
• Represents the Company when working with Customers and coordinates customer's and industry audits.
• Partners with the operations team in the establishment of skill requirements to develop and maintain the workforce needed to support business needs in the areas of product quality and sanitation.
• Ensures control of non-compliance product through product holds and the timely reporting, disposition, and corrective actions of all quality related holds.
• Leverages knowledge, opportunities, and activities across the business operation to drive continuous improvement in areas of process control, product improvement, sanitation, and cost reduction.
• Ensures adequate quality procedures are developed and adopted across the operation in compliance with corporate quality policies and practices and all applicable product standards.
• Ensures overall integrity of the quality system within the business including sanitation, physical inspections, record keeping, product quarantine, and claims processing.
• Responsible for SQ/PC implementation at the plant level.
• Provides SQ/PC training and develops plant SQ/PC resources.
• In conjunction with Food Director, develops, communicates, and implements plant QA goals, business objectives, operating plans and capital plans so that equipment, site and facilities are in appropriate working condition to achieve food safety and operating results that meet or exceed established goals.
• Drives continuous safety, quality and environmental improvement and culture based on current Best Practices.
• Effectively communicates the company's vision and goals to staff and associates.
• Establishes and maintains customer focus for employees and ensures positive relationships with Stores and outside Clients.

• This position has close interaction with purchasing, R&D and sales departments.

• Ensures compliance and performs all duties in accordance with all safety and environmental rules and regulations.
• Under guidance of Food Safety Director, directs and evaluates activities related to all Food Safety prerequisite programs.
• Ensures follow-up of non-conformities of the Food Safety program by developing and implementing realistic action plans, then directs and monitors Department Heads on its execution.
• Supports production and QA technicians in the application and monitoring of the Food Safety Program policies and procedures.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• While in production, direct production shifts Quality Assurance/control/ sanitation activities.
• Assists Food Safety Director in executing hourly schedules of QA/ QC technicians and sanitation staff to meet operating requirements.
• Assists in the Hiring, managing, and staff's growth by providing education, training, and coaching for team members to enhance overall team's efficiency and performance.
• Oversees multiple-shift operations on the production floor.
• Assists Food Safety Director to maintain business competitiveness through benchmarking, competitive analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Performs all work in accordance with safety, food safety, and GMP rules and regulations.
• Maintains a visible presence on the plant floor and provides technical guidance during all production and sanitation phases.

• Ensures product quality meets established standards.
• Understands food processes which consist of startups of new lines, correct packing (food safety, modified atmospheric packaging) and provides recommendations that will further enhance food quality and food safety.

• Works in conjunction with R&D Team to develop new standards and specifications and implements product specifications and enhancements.
• Works in conjunction with R&D on product development samples and shelf life studies and maintains samples and record results.
• Interfaces with all departments to achieve optimum product quality.
• Assists in overseeing, resolving, and maintaining quality standards from suppliers. This includes working with suppliers and vendors.
• Under Food Safety Director guidance, executes product holds and disposition as appropriate.
• Assist in providing on-going GMP education and training to QC, production, shipping, receiving, maintenance, and other appropriate personnel.
• Reviews data and records produced by all personnel, including production, sanitation, warehousing, receiving and shipping.
• Reviews and maintains all data relative to accuracy and compliance.
• Performs other duties as necessary.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrates basic knowledge of food safety regulations and requirements.
• Must have the ability to multi-task.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and process improvement techniques.
• Basic knowledge of safety, quality and environmental systems and procedures.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate people toward a goal.
• Strong leadership skills: ability to lead meetings/teams.
• Conflict resolution skills.
• Results oriented.
• Ability to interface with customers, staff, other functional areas, and the community.
• Ability to lead and effectively implement change and continuous improvement.
• Ability to use computer and supporting software.
• Experience developing, implementing, and maintaining a Food Safety Program.
• HACCP Certified.
• Basic experience in writing, implementing, and maintaining HACCP plans.
• Managing the implementation of a Pest Control program.
• Strong computer skills including use of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Ability to analyze problems, find solutions, and make decisions.
• Energetic, flexible, and the ability to work alone and in a team environment.
• Experience working in food manufacturing or dietary supplement industry.
• Knowledge of an ability to follow safety standards and procedures.
• Demonstrated organizational skills.
• Basic knowledge of employment management and organization standards and processes.
• Basic knowledge of and ability to follow recordkeeping, documentation, and retention standards.
• Basic knowledge of quality concepts, principles, management systems, tools and philosophies.
• Basic knowledge of product, manufacturing process, customer and business needs, current industry practices, and technology trends.
• Must have acceptable math skills to understand measurements, yields, margins, shrink, production planning and program analysis.
• Customer focused.
• Passion for results.

Education:

• Minimum of 5 years working in a USDA food manufacturing facility.
• Certification in HACCP & SQF

Physical Demands and Conditions:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
(Occasionally 1-33%; Frequently 34-66%; Continuously 67-100%)

• Must be able to lift to 10 Lbs. (Continuously)
• Must be able to lift to 30 Lbs. (Occasionally).
• Stand (Frequently)
• Walking (Frequently)
• Sitting (Frequently)
• Use hands to finger, handle or feel (Continuously)
• Reach with hands and arms (Continuously)
• Climb or balance (Occasionally)
• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl (Occasionally)
• Talk or hear (Continuously)
• Taste or smell (Occasionally)

Work Environment:

• Production environment may be subject to extreme temperatures with exposure to hot and cold environment, noise, and some chemicals.
• Frequent Office Environment
• Work near moving mechanical parts (Frequently)
• Vibration (Frequently)
• Moderate noise (Continuously)

(The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those associate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
Pay Range: $65,000 to $89,460
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER NOTICE
The job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, functions, experience, educational factors, and the requirements and conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. The Employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and to require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business or the work environment change.
Truck drivers must be able to pass a standard drug test and qualify as being "drug-free" under the legal and medical guidelines permitted by the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988." All other employees not subject to the U.S. Department of Transportation drug and alcohol rules and comparable state laws, must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test, which will not screen for non-psychoactive cannabis metabolites.
Northgate Markets is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Your Right to Work - In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
Northgate Markets will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Ban the Box Law).