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Position Summary

Coordinates, organizes, and schedules the day-to-day activities of the Quality Department to ensure meeting/exceeding the entire plant and overall company goals of quality, customer service, and prerequisite programs that validate environmental program procedures, and overall employee safety. This position performs all work in a manner that complies with all federal, state, local, SQF and company rules and regulations with optimum regard for quality, safety, service, and cost.

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Essential Job Functions

1. Directs the quality department staff and assures staffing schedules are appropriate and daily work is assigned to provide efficient support for production, shipping, and receiving.
2. Responsible for verification & maintenance of Food Safety Plans (HACCP), Pre-requisite programs, Preventive Controls and Food Quality Plans as described by SQF. Provides validation input.
3. Develops and implements programs, policies and procedures around Quality Control and Food Safety.
4. Provides all initial and ongoing training programs for quality inspectors as well as the general employee population as required. Conducts plant wide food safety and quality assurance training to increase the knowledge and capabilities of employees, and to satisfy regulatory requirements.
5. Performs first level of performance appraisal and corrective action for all quality inspectors as required. Continuously monitors and maintains records, books, files, etc.
6. Assists in the implementation of the facility environmental testing program to assure compliance with all customer and regulatory requirements.
7. Works closely with production, maintenance, and warehouse supervision and employees on problems for effective root cause analysis, resolution, and prevention.
8. Coordinates holds, rejection, and product disposition of all raw materials, in-process, and finished product. Works with production and warehouse to control, maintain, and/or improve as appropriate the handling, storage, and usage of materials.
9. Assists in plant trials and critical process improvements as needed.
10. Works with QA Manager to provide for supplier deficiency improvements, root cause analysis, corrective and preventative action, customer complaint resolution, etc.
11. Completes periodic sanitation, GMP, food security, and food safety audits of the plant and make recommendations to correct deficiencies. Follow-up with respective departments regarding corrective action plans to improve sanitation.
12. Conducts and participates in mock traceability projects to determine the accuracy of tracking raw ingredients from processing to a customer’s kitchen table, environmental testing to validate sanitation procedures, conduct pathogen testing to meet customer and regulatory expectations.
13. Drives continual quality improvement as measured by key performance indicators including internal and external audits, and company quality metrics
14. Performs all other duties, responsibilities, and special projects as assigned.

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Job Specifications

Education/Training:

Required: A bachelor’s degree is required (Food Science, Biology, Chemistry preferred, other related technical degrees considered).

Experience/Knowledge/Abilities:

Required: 3 to 5 years of laboratory and supervision experience in a food environment. Experience with GFSI Standards, FDA Food Safety and Quality Standards. Strong technical, problem-solving, and problem-resolution skills. Ability to work collaboratively across departmental boundaries.

Preferred: 5 to 8 years’ experience in a food manufacturing / quality leadership or management position.