Quality Assurance Specialist - Decatur, IL

Quality Assurance Specialist – East Plant – Decatur, IL
This is an exempt level position

Job Summary:
The Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for quality, food safety and verification of conformance to regulatory requirements in support of plant operations.  This position will offer support to production in making quality decisions, investigating non-conforming product and providing oversight during process upsets.    

Essential Job Functions:

• Maintain the SQF code at the facility and continuously improve the programs associated with the SQF code as part of a team.
• You must be able to manage time to complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Routinely conduct GMP, Food Safety Plan / HACCP, and GFSI (SQF) compliance inspections.
• Perform verification checks and assessments related to process function, sanitation, procedural practices, personnel performance, and product quality.
• Ability to work different times of the day as needed to complete the requirements of the time. 
• Track Quality KPIs and update the appropriate KPI trackers/portals/logs.
• Document, investigate and implement corrective and preventative actions on quality and food safety events that may occur at the plant. This includes customer complaints.
• Interface with facility management on findings and corrective actions.
• Conduct microbiological swabbing for environmental monitoring, monitor and report results.
• Conduct for-cause investigations, determining root cause of issues.
• Provide guidance on sanitation methodology, and cleaning tool and chemical usage.
• Perform the ordering, approval, and receipt of supplies and services related to quality and sanitation.
• Lead the sanitation team in training and verification activities. 
• Collaborate with the pest control provider to ensure the implementation of an effective pest control program and ensure corrective actions are completed in a timely manner. 
• Conduct pre-operation inspection of equipment that has undergone maintenance and/or sanitation.
• Verify food safety related calibration and preventive maintenance activities.
• Assist facility management in assessing process deviations, related impact, and response.
• Assist with creating standard operating procedures and work instructions with food safety implications. 

Job Qualifications:

• Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry or related Science field or minimum of 3 years prior Quality Control / Assurance experience in a food facility or regulated food or drug manufacturing operation. 
• Preferred SQF, or other GFSI experience or PCQI certification.
• Ability to focus on food safety and customer needs in all aspects of work.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining quality and food safety requirements.
• Ability to use good problem solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Required computer skills; Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Working Conditions:

• Employees in this position working at this location are [or may be] exposed to various potential chemical and food allergens due to the nature of our business and the requirements of the job. 
• If there is any reason such exposure would interfere with your ability to perform this role or work at the location, please notify the hiring manager at the earliest point possible. The allergen Soy is in all facilities and is present in the air.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, and lift up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Lifting or carrying of weights over fifty (50) pounds is rare; employees are encouraged to request assistance in lifting or carrying objects that weigh more than fifty (50) pounds.

Excited about this role but don’t think you meet every requirement listed? We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.

ADM requires the successful completion of a background check. 


REF:106856BR