JOB SUMMARY

The Quality Assurance (QA) Lead is responsible for the overall success of the food safety and quality assurance programs for Oakdell Farms processing plants in Pasco, Washington. The QA Lead will help provide guidance to processing personnel performing quality assurance functions along with assist in the development and implementation of the food safety and quality programs within the plants. This position works directly with the Compliance Team, Processing Supervisors, Managers and Personnel, Safety Team, and Human Resources.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assists Food Safety Manager in the development and implementation of all programs related to food safety and quality assurance as they apply to the layer site.

• Provide leadership, direction and development to onsite personnel performing quality assurance functions.

• Focus the plants on providing a safe, quality product and outstanding service to our customers.

• Carries out routine training for operations and other personnel as it applies to food safety and quality assurance.

• Assist in the investigation, resolution, completion and documentation of corrective actions for operations, as applicable.

• Ensure calibration procedures and other routine QA duties are carried out per schedule.

• Promote a culture of safety through operational engagement.

• Maintain compliance to all FDA, state and USDA regulations, Morning Fresh Farms' Good Manufacturing Practices and Food Safety and Quality Programs.

• Maintain a HACCP and SQF Practitioner certification.

• Serves as backup to Food Safety Manager.

• Occasional travel to Utah and Idaho locations.

• Monitors compliance with applicable state and federal regulations, and standards from regulatory bodies and customers.
• Conducts and/or coordinates internal audits of site compliance with programs.

• Initiates, tracks, and trends corrective actions from internal audits.

• Coordinates and prepares the corrective action follow up for customer, regulatory and third-party inspections of the facilities.

• Monitors the progress of the corrective actions for all audit deficiencies.

• Coordinates, prepares for, and helps managers in leading external audits pertaining to food safety and quality, and applicable customers.

• Cross-develops with Farm Compliance Manager and serves as backup to assist manager with administrative functions to farm compliance programs.

• Maintains records in accordance with document control program.

• Works with compliance management to develop and continuously improve programs.

• Performs all duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's Degree in Quality Assurance, Food Science, Biology, Operations Management or a related field is preferred.
• 2 years of experience in quality assurance and a similar processing environment preferred
• Experience working with regulatory bodies preferred.
• Experience monitoring compliance with and/or implementing programs relating to SQF, food safety, quality assurance or other recognized standards
• Certified in or able to obtain the following licenses/certifications: HACCP Certification, SQF Practitioner
• Ability to demonstrate results of "buy-in" and employee ownership of compliance programs.
• Must be able to communicate in the English language. Bilingual preferred
• Strong computer skills with experience in Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe DC, etc.
• Able to work in various climate conditions including extreme heat and cold environments, walking, standing, and sitting for long periods of time.