Supervisor, Quality Assurance (2nd & 3rd Shift)

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200 local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.

The Off-Shift Quality Assurance (QA) Supervisor is responsible for overseeing quality operations across second and third shifts, ensuring compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards at Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. This role works closely with the QA Manager and Assistant QA Manager to provide leadership, direction, and support to QA technicians and plant personnel, ensuring consistent quality practices during off-shift operations. The role will primarily be on 3rd shift along with weekends and holidays.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely and communicate daily with the QA Manager and QA Assistant Manager to ensure alignment on priorities, issues, and corrective actions.
• Supervise QA operations across second and third shifts, providing daily direction, guidance, and support to QA technicians as necessary.
• Ensure all QA technician responsibilities and required documentation are completed accurately and on time by the end of each shift.
• Assist with training and onboarding of new QA technicians, as well as ongoing training for current technicians and plant personnel.
• Support scheduled preventive maintenance (PMs) and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment; coordinate repairs as needed.
• Assist with laboratory and plant equipment calibrations.
• Support Organic, Allergen, Gluten-Free, and Environmental monitoring programs, including weekly, monthly, and annual swabbing, and assist with internal and external plant audits as required.
• Assist with training QA technicians on approved laboratory procedures, laboratory equipment, finished product formulas, finished product specifications, and formula batching requirements.
• Oversee inventory and ordering of laboratory supplies.
• Support the QA Assistant Manager with daily and weekly employee scheduling, including overtime planning and coverage.
• Assist with routine plant inspections, including GMPs and Plan of Control verification, and follow up on corrective actions as needed.
  
  

Qualifications

Education

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Biology, Chemistry, or a related field preferred, or equivalent experience.
  
  

Experience

• 3-5 years experience prior Quality Assurance experience in a food manufacturing environment required.
• Dairy or other regulated food manufacturing experience preferred.
• 1 - 2 years supervisory or lead experience strongly preferred.
  
  

Skills

• Working knowledge of GMPs, food safety programs, and quality systems.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency with laboratory equipment and documentation systems.
  
  

Competencies

• Leadership and team development
• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Ability to work independently during off-shift operations
• Collaboration and cross-functional communication
  
  

Working Conditions (Physical Demands)

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment, including exposure to cold temperatures, noise, and production areas.
• Ability to stand, walk, and conduct inspections for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds as required.
• Ability to work flexible hours across second and third shifts.
  
  

Pay: $65K-$85K a year*

• The salary range listed for this position represents the good faith and reasonable minimum and maximum pay for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, training, knowledge, education, and overall qualifications. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.
  
  

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.