Assistant Quality Assurance and Food Safety Manager

Summary

Provides leadership, direction, and management support to the Quality Assurance and Food Safety Manager at the plant level. Under the direction of the QA Manager, works with the QA Team and Plant Management to help ensure that facility operations are in compliance with government food safety regulations as well as Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), RFG, and customer requirements.

Delivers continuous improvement around Quality and Food Safety. Acts as a subject matter expert in Quality and Food Safety for the plant.

Responsibilities

• Assists the QA Manager in managing and implementing the plant Quality Management System according to directives and expectations. Collaborates with the plant management team to maintain, modify, and improve the Quality System.
• Anticipates and responds to regulatory agency requirements and reports related to food safety.
• Makes collaborative food safety and quality decisions regarding ingredients, in-process product, and finished product conformance as designated by the QA Manager.
• Assists with plant internal audit functions and activities in order to be Primus GFS audit ready.
• Member of the facility Food Safety Team; develops Hazard Analyses, HACCP/Preventive Control plans, and ensures compliance with HACCP, FSMA, and all regulatory requirements.
• Manages sample retention and evaluation program.
• Publishes regular and ad hoc reports on key Quality and Food Safety metrics. Analyzes data for process improvement opportunities.
• Provides coverage for the Quality Manager and other QA positions as needed. Work schedule times and days may vary, including weekends.
• Facilitates investigation and corrective actions in response to customer and consumer product quality and food safety-related questions and complaints. Assists with related corrective action plans and implementation as necessary.
• Provides training to QA Leads and technicians, as well as other members of the plant team, under the direction of the QA Manager.
• Looks for opportunities to reduce system costs as appropriate.
• Ensures that any issues are addressed and corrected in a timely manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Supervisory Responsibilities: Quality Leads have dotted-line reporting to this position. Other positions may be added over time.
  
  

Requirements And Specialized Skills

• Bachelor's or Associate's Degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Microbiology, or another related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in Quality and Food Safety Management in a food manufacturing environment.
• USDA-inspected operations experience strongly preferred.
• Compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Understanding of basic concepts of foodborne illness and prevention.
• Must obtain HACCP Certification upon hire.
• Must obtain PCQI Certification upon hire.
  
  

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, sit, and use hands to touch, handle, or feel.

The employee is occasionally required to stand; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth