Quality Assurance Technician (Qa Tech)

January Foods Corp. is the leading manufacturer in North America of Chinese style meat products including sausages and BBQ pork. We specialize in using authentic and original recipe, to ensure our customers consume a high quality product. January Foods Corp. is looking to add a Compliance Specialist to join our team. This individual will be a key player in the advancement of the organization through ensuring compliance with company policies, GMP, SQF, and those mandated by customers.

Teaming with numerous departments and sources, both internal and external, our Compliance Specialist will gather necessary information to support the departments objectives while tracking assigned activities, projects and progress reporting. This is an integral role reporting to our Plant Manager and offering support to the Operations and Growth organizations.

Our ideal candidate is experienced in food safety programs, enjoys digging into, understanding and presenting meaningful data and displays an ambition to learn and become a valuable resource to company leadership. We are seeking someone who takes pride in driving projects to successful completion and has a keen eye for detail.

Job Summary:

The Quality Assurance Technician (QA tech) will fill an essential role in the monitoring and advancement of our food safety and quality programs. Through daily process checks as well as short- and long-term projects, the QA tech will ensure the integrity of each batch of food that we produce, so that our customers can always enjoy our product with full confidence and satisfaction. The successful QA tech will have a scientific base of knowledge, an entrepreneurial and tenacious character, and the ability to communicate effectively with all levels within our company. This position is expected to spend 90% of their time on the production floor.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

· Perform process checks throughout the production, packaging, sanitation, and warehousing

functions of the company, including pre-operational checks, sanitation verification, label checks, water activity testing, gross & net weight checks, package integrity checks and organoleptic checks etc.

· Calibrate test equipment.

· Accomplishes Quality Assurance by enforcing policies and procedures. Assures consistent quality of production by enforcing good manufacturing practice (GMP) validating processes and providing documentation.

· Provide independent oversight of processes, verifying compliance to company standards and

· Policies and effectively communicating when there are deviations from standards or processes.

· Assist in training employees on food safety, company processes and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

· Maintain organized inventory of retained products and assist in assigning dispositions in a timely manner.

· Assures food safety, quality programs, and food defense, are followed.

· Strategically manage, lead, and define performance measures for programs related to food safety and quality processes and systems for Heat Treated Shelf Stable and Ready-to-Eat (RTE) meat processing, including defining performance measures

· Coach and mentor team to establish a sustainable food safety and quality team.

· Drive results towards achieving key operational performance indicators measured in the areas of safety, quality, service, cost, product and member development.

· Act as a liaison for plant operations on food safety and quality policies/issues as they relate to both internal/external customers and third party vendors

· Monitor sanitation efforts to identify trends and process issues, consult on corrective actions when needed.

· Identify trends and process variation in conjunction with the Operations Teams.

· Coordinate outside audits (SQF and customer) with Food Safety/Quality and Operations teams

· Coordinate troubleshooting of day-to-day food safety and quality opportunities to help the teams define comprehensive, proactive solutions

· Use your technical expertise to educate members on food safety and quality programs and best practices.

· Work with team to ensure incoming ingredients and materials processes are effective and efficient.

· Review Certificates of Analysis

· Update files, documents, SSOP’s, SPS, SOP’s, program policies, as required

· Perform internal audits of programs, policies, documents, procedures and give appropriate teams feedback and guidance on corrective actions

· Lead by example in following GMP and SQF guidelines and company policies/procedures

· Make suggestions to improve safety, food safety, quality, service, and cost.

· Make suggestions and recommendations on how to increase efficiency and cost savings within the department and actively participate in their implementations.

· Monitor HACCP critical control points.

· Participate in preparation for 3rd party food safety audits (SQF, FSA, FDA etc.).

· Take ownership of the CAPA program

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· Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

· Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Quality Management, Engineering, Food Science or equivalent.

· Experience and Training: HACCP Certified, experience in USDA regulated manufacturing facility.

· Technology/Equipment: Good computer skills/proficient with Microsoft Office. Strong skills in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

· Characteristics: Ability to communicate respectively and effectively between different departments/shifts and to work in a team setting. Able to identify and lead troubleshooting. Strong priority and time management skills. Ability to provide leadership and guidance to others, including during high pressure situations.

· Chinese and/or Vietnamese speaking is a plus.

· Must be a team player, attention to detail, quick learner

· Must be punctual, dependable, work well with employees of different cultures.

· Able to stand, walk for extended period of time

PREFERRED QUALIFICAITONS

· Experience and Training: 5 years of experience in an SQF certified, food manufacturing environment. Leadership experience in a USDA regulated meat processing environment.

· Licenses/Certifications: HACCP Certified, SQF Practitioner, Lean/Six Sigma

· Characteristics: Strong Leadership with evidence of developing people. Adaptability and the ability to lead through a changing environment. Analytical skills to be able to observe and crate Standard Processes and Metrics where none currently exist. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

General Office Conditions

· Normal working environment

Plant Conditions

· 0° – 48° F; Humidity

· Slippery Floors

Protective Clothing Required:

· Long pants, non-slip shoes/boots (steel-toe optional)

· The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.

Compensation: Based on experience. This is a full-time, hourly position. We offer excellent benefits include Medical/Dental/Vision/Life insurance on the 1st of the month following 60 days, matching 401K retirement plan, short and long term disability, paid time off, paid sick leave, and holiday pay after 90 days.

We offer excellent benefits include Medical/Dental/Vision/Life insurance on the 1st of the month following 60 days, matching 401K retirement plan, short and long term disability, paid time off, paid sick leave, and holiday pay after 90 days.

January Foods Corp. is an equal opportunity employer (M/F/D/V)