What are the responsibilities and job description for the FSQA Auditor position at Water Lilies Food, LLC.?
COMPANY: Water Lilies Food, LLC
ROLE: FSQA AUDITOR - SUPPLIER AND INTERNAL
REPORTS TO: Director of FSQA / R&D
LOCATION: Bay Shore, NY
About Water Lilies Food
Water Lilies Food, LLC is a private equity-backed manufacturer and distributor of premium Asian-inspired food. Established for 25 years, the company moved in 2020 to a new state-of-the-art facility in Bay Shore, NY (Suffolk County Long Island) and is experiencing rapid growth. We are developing and supplying product for some of the leading retailers, wholesalers, and branded Asian-appetizer businesses. Our Vision is to be the preferred supplying partner of premium Asian-inspired food. We achieve this by living up to our Mission to deliver our products and services with attention to detail, a continuous improvement mindset, agility, and authenticity. Our culture is highly collaborative with a high degree of trust and empowerment plus a ‘can-do’ attitude to humbly get better every day. Water Lilies lives by 3 core tenants: Be Impactful, Commit to Mutual Development, and Collaborate Respectfully. For more information, please visit website https: www.waterliliesfood.com
About Blue Point Capital Partners
Blue Point Capital Partners is a private equity firm managing over $1.5 billion in committed capital. With offices in Cleveland, Charlotte, Seattle and Shanghai, Blue Point’s geographical footprint allows it to establish relationships with local and regional entrepreneurs and advisors while providing the perspectives and resources of a global organization. Blue Point has over a two-decade history of partnering with lower middle-market businesses to build processes and capabilities to achieve dramatic growth. The firm focuses on opportunities where it can leverage its collective experience, extensive network of operating resources and unique toolkit, which includes supply chain / Asian capabilities, data and digital strategies, human capital strategy and focused add-on acquisition efforts. Blue Point typically invests in businesses that generate between $30 million and $300 million in revenue. For more information, please visit website: https://www.bluepointcapital.com
Position Summary
Reporting to the Director of FSQA / RD, FSQA Auditor is responsible for monitoring effectiveness of Water Lilies Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory Programs and for monitoring FSQA compliance of company suppliers and co-manufacturers. Assures implementation and continuous improvement of programs; This position will build relationships and partner with the internal plant QA, Operations and Procurement teams to lead the continuous improvement.
Key Relationships
Reports to: Director of FSQA / R&D.
Works with QA, R&D, Procurement, Operations teams.
Major Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain robust internal auditing program to assure full implementation of regulatory and company policies and procedures.
- Establish and maintain key relationships with vendors, internal and external customers, regulatory agencies (such as USDA, FDA) and other certification and auditing bodies.
- Develop and maintain a robust Supplier Approval Program.
- Monitor and evaluate Suppliers and Co-manufacturers performance based on key process indicators. Utilize data to validate and improve processes.
- Perform supplier audits.
- Develop and maintain Suppliers Database. Work with Procurement on retrieving required documentation.
- Support and provide feedback on supplier related food safety for new commercialization projects, from ideation to product launch.
- Create quality standards and enhance and ongoing maintenance of specification sheets for all raw material and finish good products.
- Maintain and collaborate with internal and external resources to support troubleshooting and continuous improvement opportunities.
- Maintain documentation to support applicable FSQA Programs.
- Develop compliance-related topics and procedures as needed.
- Audit internal FSQA processes, procedures, and documentation.
- Identify risks with key suppliers/co-manufacturers and report to FSQA management.
- Be a collaborative team member to fellow colleagues in various departments.
- SQF Practitioner.
Ideal Experience
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Technology or related discipline preferred, particular experience with manufacturing QA required.
- 5 years’ Food Safety and Quality Assurance Auditing experience in the food industry; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Internal Auditor.
- Experience writing audit reports, communicating non-conformances and reviewing corrective actions.
- Comprehensive knowledge of USDA- FSIS, FDA and HACCP requirements.
- Certified in HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point), USDA or FDA required. Must be PCQI certified.
- Certified in a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standard such as BRC or SQF.
- Good writing, statistics (SPC and charting), analytical, and critical thinking skills.
- Strong computer skills across various platforms, e.g. Microsoft, customer software portals, etc.
- Clear and concise communicator.
- This position requires up to 50% travel time.
- Take a proactive role in assuring safe, quality products are produced by immediately addressing any safety or quality concerns and this position serves as the back-up for QA Manager position.
Desired Personal Characteristics
- Low Ego – It’s all about the team and organizational success
- Sense of Urgency – mindset to deal with critical issues quickly
- Trustworthy – Win with actions, not words
- Hungry – Has the desire to take on challenges and grow
- Collaborative – Partnership across the organization
- Accountable – Holds self and others to a clear standard; constructively handles conflict
- Communicative – Able to effectively connect with others starting at the floor up to C Suite
- Customer Centric – Everything starts with the Customer in mind