Food Safety Quality Systems Lead Technician 2nd shift

POSITION PURPOSE:  The primary purpose of the Food Safety Quality Systems (FSQS) Lead is to ensure that the FSQS Technicians/Line Monitors are following quality and food safety procedures and works closely with facility leadership to maintain the quality and safety of the food products produced by Lopez Dorada.

As a member of FSQS, one shall always serve as a source of information regarding food and plant safety. All members of FSQS must be empowered to make critical decisions regarding equipment or employee performance when food safety or quality are compromised.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Other duties may be assigned.

1. The Lead Technician will spend all of her/his time in the Production area and will carry a company provided radio at all times.  S/he will communicate any food safety or product quality issues to all department’s leadership.  S/he will provide guidance for the Operations and Maintenance/Engineering departments pertaining to food safety and product quality issues.  S/he will be expected to model the behaviors of a leader within the QA department that her/his subordinates can follow.  S/he will act as support to the department’s supervisor and help with daily functions of the department.  At times s/he will need to perform technician job functions and will need to have a full understanding of the job requirements that s/he is performing.
2. The Lead Technician is responsible for assisting in the training of all technicians in their job functions.  S/he will ensure that her/his subordinates understand job safety, SOPs, Documentation, and HACCP requirements of their roles within the department.  S/he will document the training of new tasks and review the training documentation with the technicians as new tasks are assigned.  S/he will assist in coaching the Technicians in their daily functions and providing feedback to use as a coaching tool.
3. The Lead Technician will assist in the management of swab and sample collection.  S/he will ensure that the technicians are properly collecting and handling the swabs and samples to ensure the integrity of samples.  S/he will work with IT, FSQS technicians and the Supervisors to ensure issues with tablets and swab sites are quickly resolved. S/he must follow up on weekly swab list and daily micro samples to ensure that program requirements are completed.
4. The Lead Technician will assist the HACCP Coordinator in retaining finished products.  S/he will have a full understanding of the HACCP plan requirements.  S/he will communicate with leadership when issues arise that prevent the release of finished product and raw materials.  S/he will be responsible for having a full understanding of the documentation review process and review all necessary document before providing final disposition of all finished products.
5. The Lead Technician will assist the Operations department during all foreign material events.  S/he will give direction for the appropriate actions required to restore the production back to sanitary conditions.  S/he will assist in the process of determining products affected and will work with operations to retain any affected products.  S/he will provide necessary information that is needed for final disposition of raw materials and finished products possibly affected by contaminants.  S/he will communicate to the appropriate personnel when raw materials or finish product become adulterated.
6. The Lead Technician will assist in maintaining an inventory of department supplies.  S/he will communicate to leadership when supplies are needed.  S/he will work with the technicians to ensure allocation of supplies are sufficient and the supplies are handled in a manner to not be wasteful.  S/he will ensure the supplies are kept organized and easily accessible.  S/he will assist in signing out and in necessary supplies to other departments as needed.   S/he will communicate when supplies are not returned, missing, or damaged.
7. The Lead Technician will assist leadership with special projects that help further the company’s food safety and quality systems.  S/he will have a full understanding of any projects being performed by the department and may be asked to lead projects at times.  S/he will schedule technicians to provide the necessary support for the projects.  S/he will assist in gathering data and reporting the data for the projects to all appropriate personnel.
8. FSQS Technicians on a daily basis. Serve in place of FSQS Supervisors and HACCP Coordinator on an as-needed basis (such as vacation) and on regular rotation weekends.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or experience

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Three years’ experience with Lopez Dorada or similar operation, preferred

Certificates, licenses, registrations

• Annual food and plant safety trainings are required.

• The Lead Technician shall attend and receive certification in Basic HACCP through any HACCP Alliance Certified program.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed. May require walking primarily on a level surface for periodic periods through-out the day. Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required to file documents or store materials throughout the work day. Proper lifting techniques required. May include lifting up to 25 pounds for files, on occasion.

The performance of this position may occasionally require exposure to the manufacturing areas where under certain areas require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields and mandatory hearing protection. Primary environment: ambient room temperatures, lighting and traditional office equipment as found in a typical office environment.