Quality Assurance Technician

Job Title

Food Safety Quality Assurance (FSQA) Specialist

Job Description

Key responsibilities include monitoring the Distribution Center for regulatory and customer compliance. Providing guidance and/or support as it relates to quality concerns raised by internal colleagues and/or distributors. Following up on quality issues as they relate to inventory, as well as customer complaints received. Complete special projects as assigned by the FSQA Manager/Supervisor. Analyze product returns and products in inventory to identify trends in quality issues.

Responsibilities

• Conduct daily walkthrough of the distribution center and communicate any potential food safety/food quality and/or sanitation issues to the FSQA Manager and Department Mgrs.
• Prepare the Executive Kitchen for all Product Sensory Evaluations
• Ensure correct products are ordered/picked for Product Slicing; coordinate weekly shipping of products to any plants, as needed.
• Conduct Truck Audits daily and communicate non-conformances to Operations Mgmt./FSQA Mgr.
• Follow up on customer complaints to ensure our current inventory isn't compromised.
• Verify that QCP records (e.g., Cooler records, Scale Verification records, etc.) are accurately completed and up to date.
• Coordinate the communication process for when the product is either placed on hold/or released.
• Perform sanitation inspections of warehouse & deli areas for cleanliness.
• Prepare reports on inspection findings and incidents.
• Collect, evaluate, and send samples to outside labs for product analysis.
• Communicate with Distribution Center/Plants on Quality and Customer issues.

Qualifications

• Must have a High School Diploma or GED Diploma plus additional specialized training in a food environment, verifying product quality.
• Must have at least 3-5 years of progressive work experience.
• Must possess a valid Driver's License
• Must be Serve Safe Certified or able to attend a course and successfully pass the certification exam.
• Preferably HACCP trained or be able to attend a training course and successfully complete a training course.
• Preferably Certified as an FSQA Technician or able to successfully complete a course by a certifying body (i.e., ASQ, etc.)

Physical Demands

• Must be able to lift overhead up to 30 pounds.
• Must be able to stand and/or walk for extended periods of time.
• Must possess sufficient senses to perform effective organoleptic evaluations (corrected sensory ability is acceptable). This includes visual (acuity and color differentiation), olfactory, gustatory, tactile, and auditory ability.

Work Environment

• Must be able to work in both warm and cold environments.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced warehouse environment and be capable of withstanding loud noises, fast-moving machinery, etc.
• Travel required is less than 40% to attend training courses or other duties, as needed.