Seasonal Food Quality Assurance Supervisor

Job Title: Seasonal Food Quality Assurance Supervisor

Department: Production

Job Type: Seasonal Full-time (Non-exempt)

Location: Metlakatla, AK

Reports To: Plant Manager / Quality and Data Manager

Compensation: $31.00 - $38.00 (Pay may vary based upon relevant experience, skills, and

education among other factors.)

Start Date: June 1, 2026

End of Season: September 1st

Job Summary/Overview

Circle Seafoods seeks an experienced and dynamic Quality Control Operations Supervisor for

our summer season at the Metlakatla, AK Barge Plant. This critical role on the Quality and Data

Team manages our quality control and assurance program, ensuring our fresh, wild-caught

salmon freezing operations meet high quality standards. This is a great opportunity for

professional growth within an innovative seafood company committed to delivering exceptional

products.

Key Responsibilities:

The Quality Control Operations Supervisor plays a critical and multifaceted role in ensuring the

highest standards of product safety, quality, and operational efficiency throughout the seasonal

processing cycle. This position is responsible for the direct supervision, training, and

management of the Quality Control (QC) team, acting as the primary on-site authority for all

quality assurance and regulatory compliance matters.

The supervisor's primary duties encompass:

● Team Leadership and Management: Directly managing the daily activities,

scheduling, and performance of QC technicians and personnel. This includes providing

mentorship, conducting seasonal performance reviews, and ensuring a safe, efficient,

and productive work environment.

● Quality Assurance and Compliance: Assisting in overseeing the implementation

and rigorous adherence to the company's Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point

(HACCP) plan, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Sanitation Standard

Operating Procedures (SSOPs). This also involves maintaining up-to-date knowledge of

and compliance with all relevant federal and state regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA,

NOAA, Alaska state regulations). Further, this means being the onsite point person for

3rd party food safety audits.

● Inspection and Monitoring: Conducting and overseeing regular, detailed inspections

of raw material (catch), in-process product, finished goods, equipment, and facility

sanitation. Ensuring all quality checks, including temperature monitoring, sanitation,

weight checks, grading, and species identification, are performed accurately and

documented according to established protocols.

● Documentation and Reporting: Maintaining comprehensive, accurate, and

organized quality control records, logs, and databases. Preparing detailed reports

summarizing quality metrics, non-conformance issues, corrective actions, and regulatory

compliance status for presentation to the Plant Manager, corporate Quality Assurance

department, and potential 3rd party audits.

● Problem-Solving and Corrective Action: Serving as the immediate point of contact

for quality deviations and non-conformance issues. Investigating the root cause of

quality failures (e.g., spoilage, contamination, incorrect labeling), implementing

immediate corrective actions, and developing preventative measures to mitigate future

risks.

● Training and Development: Developing and delivering effective training programs

for the QC team and relevant production staff on quality procedures, regulatory

standards, food safety practices, and the proper use of testing equipment.

● Collaboration: Working closely with the Quality and Data Manager, Production

Managers, Maintenance Supervisors, and Procurement staff to address operational

challenges that impact product quality and efficiency, fostering a culture of quality

ownership across all plant departments.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

Education:

● Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, or a closely related scientific

field is preferred.

● Relevant professional certifications or equivalent military/trade school experience may

be considered in lieu of a degree.

Experience:

● Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive experience in a quality assurance or quality control

role within a food manufacturing environment, with a strong preference for the seafood

industry.

● At least 2 years of proven supervisory or management experience, including hiring,

training, scheduling, and performance management of a QC team.

● Demonstrated experience with Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan

implementation and monitoring.

● Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Standard Operating

Procedures (SOPs), and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs).

Technical Skills:

● Expertise in performing and interpreting various quality control tests

● Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and report generation using Microsoft Office

Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).

● Familiarity with electronic traceability and inventory management systems relevant to

food processing.

● Ability to read, understand, and accurately execute complex regulatory and internal

documentation.

Certifications/Licenses:

● Current HACCP certification required.

● Better Process Control School (BPCS) certification is a strong asset.

● ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) or similar certification is a plus.

Core Competencies:

● Leadership & Team Management: Ability to lead, motivate, and manage a diverse team

in a fast-paced, high-pressure, seasonal environment.

● Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective

interaction with production staff, management, regulatory agencies, and third-party

auditors.

● Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to quickly identify root

causes of quality deviations and implement corrective actions.

● Detail-Oriented: Meticulous attention to detail in record-keeping, documentation, and

product evaluation to ensure regulatory compliance.

● Adaptability: Capacity to thrive in a demanding, remote work setting with long hours,

often changing schedules, and fluctuating production demands.

Preferred Qualifications:

Skills or Experience:

● Experience specifically with Alaskan Salmon.

● Bilingual proficiency in Spanish, Tagalog, or other languages commonly spoken by the

seasonal workforce.

● Previous experience working in a remote processing plant or barge operation.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

Physical Requirements:

● Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (10-12 hours per shift) on slippery and

uneven surfaces.

● Ability to frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

● Manual dexterity and fine motor skills for product handling and detailed QC checks.

● Tolerance for working in a cold, wet, and noisy environment (0°F to 50°F).

● Must be able to climb stairs and ladders and navigate confined spaces.

Work Setting:

● A combination of office environment for documentation and data analysis, and the

primary location being the dynamic, active Barge Processing plant (processing floor,

freezing tunnels, storage areas).

● Availability: Must have consistent and reliable attendance. The role demands the

ability to work long hours, seven days a week, throughout the production seasons.

● Working Conditions: The candidate must be willing and able to work in a remote area

of Alaska and within a seafood processing plant for 3 months. This includes travel and

work in inclement weather, as well as an environment with inherent hazards (e.g.,

moving machinery, ammonia, wet floors, noise, forklift traffic).

Why Join Circle Seafoods?

● Be part of a forward-thinking company that prioritizes sustainability and quality.

● Opportunity to lead and shape the future of our supply chain operations.

● Competitive compensation and benefits package.

● Dynamic and inclusive work environment that values diversity and innovation.

Application Process

● Please submit your resume and cover letter through our online career portal located

https://circleseafoods.com/job-openings/

Career Growth Opportunities:

Circle is a rapidly growing innovative wild seafood business, with consistent opportunities for

team members to expand the scope of their involvement with and contributions to the business.

While it is important for Circle to ensure that certain goals and roles are fulfilled, we maintain a

culture of open collaboration and support and encourage every team member to identify how

they can align their experience and interests in ways that best promote the profitability of Circle

Seafoods and their happiness, even when these alignments fall outside of the scope of a role/job

description that a team member was hired to fulfill.

Benefits:

1

● Housing provided in Alaska

● Meals and snacks provided

● Sick Time

● Point of hire travel provided to and from Alaska

● Other: 401k administration