Supervisor Quality Assurance

At Calavo Growers, we believe quality, teamwork, good citizenship, embodying a will to win and displaying a respect for our people forms the foundation of our mission.  

QA Supervisor

Position Overview:

Implements and supervises RFG/Garden Highway Quality Standards, Food Safety Policies and Procedures to assure compliance with customer requirements, regulatory requirements, and continuity within the RFG network, including co-packers.  Works closely with the plants to identify best practices and standardize documentation and implementation of each facility’s Quality Management System protocols. Oversee and supervises Quality Assurance employees, activities, internal audits, investigations, and problem resolution. Implements and maintains Quality Assurance policies, SOP’s, programs, and procedures. Delivers continuous improvement around Quality and Food Safety.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Primary responsibilities include partnering with facility team members at all levels and management, to ensure food safety best practices and processes are implemented and maintained. Additional duties include:

   

  • Supervises QA and Production team members to ensure regulatory compliance in QA and Food Safety processes, adherence to protocols and audit inspections, pre-op, USDA, etc and advises on needed actions or corrections.
  • Partners with the QA and operations management team to ensure food safety best practices and processes.
  • Verifies the daily production plan, and any immediate needs to be addressed. May conduct pre-operation and other inspections, may reject materials or products, completes environmental swabbing and quality testing.
  • Maintain quality control systems and product or process verification systems. 
  • Maintain documentation in support of RTE specification requirements.
  • Conduct and facilitate internal and external quality audits, documenting findings, and next steps.
  • Validates QA processes that may include receiving, temperature documents,  and inspection of delivery trucks (Assure accurate completion of Receiving logs). Ensure FIFO is followed, proper allergen segregation and labeling.
  • Use the PPRO app to do receiving inspections, as well as setting up the app and check reports in PPRO.
  • Complete established USDA swabbing and shelf-life tests of product samples as required. Calibrate test equipment-Scales and Thermometers. Ensure the thermometer calibration logs are complete.
  • Collect samples, fill out order sheets, pack, and ship samples to the lab, as required.
  • Maintain and organize Food Safety and Quality Assurance daily records. Maintain and monitor inventory product retains and spot-check department documentation for accuracy and compliance.
  • Monitor / evaluate cleanliness and document downtime related problems and corrective actions taken when associated with a QA hold or action that interrupts production.
  • Ensure quality checks and preventive critical control points (CCP) monitoring.
  • Builds skills and knowledge among team members and identifies areas needing improvement to discuss with QA management.
  • May assist with evaluating vendors or suppliers for compliance with internal standards and external regulations and suggest changes with the goal of improving processes or products.
  • Ensure SOP’s related to Food Safety Management Systems, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) and Sanitation are being followed.
  • Conduct a variety of periodic and routine audits to document adherence to company standards, third-party standards, policy, and procedures. Leads and manages third-party audits such as GFSI, organic, customer, etc.
  • Continuously inspect and monitor size, weight, variety, and grade of individual containers of outside purchased fruit and document findings.
  • Basic Qualifications:

• Will consider a 2 year degree with 4-6 years of equivalent experience
• College Degree in Agriculture, Post-harvest Physiology, Food Science, Food Technology, or related field preferred. Significant related experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 4+ years of progressively responsible QA supervisory or Team Lead experience
• Experience supervising others in a food-related work environment preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communicator
• Proficient use of MS Office software and a working knowledge of common applications such as ProducePro
• HACCP certification and plan development experience (basic and/or advanced HACCP training)
• Demonstrated ability to remain professional and diplomatic when working under pressure

 Physical Requirements/Work Environment:

• Must be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to interact with a great variety of people tactfully and skillfully, often under stressful conditions
• Excellent time management skills with proven ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to apply critical and logical thinking skills
• Ability to analyze data using spreadsheets, formulas, statistical tools, etc.
• Ability to work within a fast-paced dynamic environment and multi-task effectively
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability and initiative to multi-task throughout the day, with attention to detail
• Ability to work in a cold working environment (approx.. 37F)

PAY RELATED INFORMATION

• The salary range for this position is: $68,400 - $102,000
• The base salary we reasonably expect to pay for this position is: $68,400 - $75,000
• The actual salary for this role will be determined by a variety of factor, including but not limited to the candidate’s skills and experience.
• Please note that Base Pay is one important aspect of a compelling competitive Rewards package. The base pay range indicated here does not include any additional benefits or cash bonuses that you may be eligible for based on your role and/or employment type.

“Calavo Growers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: Calavo is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Calavo are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Calavo will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.”