QA Tech

Description

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for verifying and documenting the requirements to ensure food safety. Execute daily quality activities to assess incoming materials, work in-process / product runs, quality, labeling, final inspections, analysis and testing of finished products, and food safety related sanitation.  

Requirements

Assure that customer specifications are achieved, and the facility/Plant meet local, state, and federal food safety and health regulations.

• Partners with      operations management team to ensure food safety best practices and      processes. Ensures regulatory food safety compliance.
• 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      documentation in support of fresh food specification requirements.
• Conduct and      facilitate internal and external quality audits, documenting findings and      next steps. 
• Work with      receivers to verify the documentation of temperature and inspection of      delivery trucks (Assure accurate completion of Receiving logs). Ensure      FIFO is followed, proper allergen segregation.
• 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           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 5S standards. 
• Document      downtime related problems and corrective actions taken when associated      with a QA hold or action that interrupts production. 
•  Perform      all quality checks and preventive critical control points (CCP) monitoring      (temperature logs, sanitation, labeling checks, net weight, package      integrity, and package integrity checks)
• Collaborates      and makes recommendations on food safety and quality decisions regarding      ingredient, raw product, in-process product and finished product           conformance.
• Prevents       and helps with researching information for management to respond      (corrective action / preventive action) and follow up to Government       (Federal – USDA / FDA / etc., State, County and City) inquiries.
• Review      documents and verify plant recipes/ specifications, labeling, etc.
• Support      internal and external food quality/safety audits & report and track      corrective actions. Print traceability forms from the QMS.
• May track the      quantity of swabs, test strips, chemicals, and other supplies for the QA      dept.
• May  spend      time reviewing market research, trends, and collaborate on projects.
• Escalates      difficult matters to the QA Supervisor or QA Manager as necessary.
• Performs other      duties as needed 

Requirements

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• High School      Diploma or equivalent required
• College level      education or related degree helpful
• Experience      working in a chilled food environment 
• Prior HACCP      certification, Food Handler, and other certification desirable
• Excellent      communicator, verbally and in writing
• Proficient use      of MS Office software and a working knowledge of common applications      used 
• Experience      using Supplier Database, or Product Life Cycle Management software;      Produce Pro

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES. 

The individual shall possess:

• Knowledge of      common start-up processes in a USDA factory and Good Manufacturing      Procedures
• Demonstrated      ability to be a self-starter who will be responsible for common       routines. 
• Ability to      analyze data using spreadsheets, formulas, statistical tools, etc. 
• Must be highly      organized and detail-oriented person
• Ability to work      within a fast-paced environment and multi-task effectively 
• Demonstrates      the ability to remain professional and diplomatic when working under      pressure
• Ability to      apply logical thinking and exercise sound judgment to arrive at       appropriate business decisions. This includes a sense of balance      between risks involved, timeliness, cost factors and other      considerations.

WORK DEMANDS / PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this Job it is regularly required to stand, walk, talk, or hear; sit for prolong periods and use hands to finger, handle, lift or feel. Frequent exposure to chilled temperatures within the operations and warehouse environments.  Must be able to lift, reach and move up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions