Quality Assurance Analyst

The Michigan Milk Producers Association is a dairy farmer owned cooperative and dairy processor. Founded in 1916, the MMPA serves dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin.

MMPA maintains a strong presence within the dairy industry with strategic business relationships through a variety of channels like processing shelf-stable, value-added dairy products. MMPA has four member owned processing plants in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, including Superior Dairy and the Middlebury Cheese Company. Products made at MMPA’s plants include fluid milk, sour cream, cheese, ultra-filtered milk, cottage cheese, ice cream, butter, nonfat dry milk, cream and condensed skim milk.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Competitive salary
• Health and wellness benefits with medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, including mental health benefits
• Disability insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement including 401k with employer contributions
• Personal and professional growth opportunities
• Employee appreciation events and recognition awards
• Employee wellness initiatives
• Employee feedback and suggestion forums
  
  

MMPA is currently seeking a highly motivated individual for our fast-paced Quality Department, as a Quality Assurance Analyst in our Ovid, MI facility. As a QA Analyst, you will focus on information management and maintenance in related databases, communication, and metric reporting. The Quality Assurance Analyst will work to ensure proper documentation meets regulatory and customer needs.

This role will require problem solving, analytic skills, self-regulated work, and regular communications across multiple departments, as well as external customer and Co-Op facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and management of regulatory charts, plant documentation and lab documents.
• Review and management of quality complaints.
• Review and management of Out-of-Spec environmental testing results, including documentation, communication, and corrective actions across multiple teams.
• Initiate and/or support MMPA staff in complaint investigations or customer incidents.
• Coordinate and manage information from production facilities and attend plant meetings, as necessary.
• Coordinate programs for tracking and statistical reporting to support continuous improvement.
• Track and report Quality facility and product performance to all levels of employees.
• Receive, document, and analyze test results from both internal and external labs on various products.
• Coordinate the holding or release of products, based on product test results.
• Update and maintain database information in various software programs (ERP).
• Assist in product and facility onboarding processes.
• Assist in Quality related training.
• Assist in product evaluations and studies as required.
• Prepare Certificates of Analysis (COA) and other documentation needed for customer sales orders.
• Provide support to any production issues, recalls or market withdrawal efforts.
• Assist in troubleshooting quality problems and provide feedback.
• Maintain working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Assist and participate in Audits (Regulatory, Customer, SQF).
• Handle confidential information with discretion.
• Create/Maintain/Improve job processes to ensure accuracy and efficiency of data entry and maintenance.
• Serve as back up to Quality Supervisor.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.
  
  

Education &Experience

• Associate degree required; bachelor’s degree in food science, animal science, microbiology or chemistry is preferred
• Ability to pursue and maintain required certifications, licenses, and accreditations.
• Report writing experience preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, analytic and problem-solving skills required.
• Ability to work successfully as an individual, as well as in a team environment and across multiple departments.
• High proficiency in all Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Self-Starter and able to work independently with limited supervision
  
  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the responsibilities.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of responsibilities that are required of the role. Responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

MMPA provides the opportunity for meaningful work that makes a difference in the dairy industry and in our communities. The diverse talents and perspectives of our employees help us to meet the needs of our member farms and the customers we serve.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States.

MMPA is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive environment for all employees as one of our top priorities. As part of our commitment to your well-being and workplace safety, all applicants are required to undergo a drug screening and background check as part of the hiring process.

We do not accept unsolicited candidate introductions, referrals, or résumés from third-party recruiters or staffing agencies for this position.

MMPA is an equal opportunity employer.

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