Quality Assurance Specialist I

Description Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose. At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed. As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together. In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani Italian cheeses and ricotta, President specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond cheddar, and Parmalat milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s, Stonyfield Organic, Brown Cow, Oui, Yoplait, Go-Gurt, ratio, Green Mountain Creamery, and Mountain High, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun, Gopi, and Arz. At Lactalis, we live by our core values Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued. Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your passion, your story, and how your expertise can help us shape the future of dairy. Quality Assurance Specialist I – Buffalo, New York Work hours: Tuesday‑Friday 7:00 am – 4:30 pm and Saturday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Slight flexibility with hours if needed. Summary The QA Specialist will assist the QA Manager in managing the flow of process deviation investigations and quality hold resolutions. As needed, the QA Specialist will support projects related to new or changing products. The QA Specialist will support, maintain and update several processes, including environmental testing, reporting, product sampling, and ingredient testing. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Responsible for the Environmental Monitoring Program. Sampling & Swabbing Program to support the Environmental Monitoring Program, including Finished Product Sampling, Swabbing, and Environmental Sampling. Manages shipments of samples and manages reported results. Responsible for the Air Monitoring and Water Sampling Programs, including sample collection and preparation, result interpretation and reporting, and facilitation of corrective action as appropriate. Understand Raw to Pasteurized Product Flow, High to Low‑Risk Zones and Air Flow monitoring, as well as the importance of preventing cross contamination of samples. Collect/prepare samples for management review and sensory evaluation. Participate in the Plant Sensory Jury and consume dairy products. Provide management with appropriate information related to quality and food safety, including data and observations, and communicate issues pertaining to non‑conforming products such as out‑of‑spec analytics and microbiological results. Execute quality assurance programs to prevent or eliminate defects in new or existing products. Understand NYCRR Part 2 of the Agriculture & Markets Law, including monthly sampling and 90‑day sanitation audits. Support the Quality Systems Manager in implementing the requirements laid out by FSSC 22000 and ISO 9001, including Good Manufacturing Practice Audits, Glass & Hard Plastic Audits and Metal Detector Audits. Establish, implement, and continually improve quality/food safety programs including GMP/Hygiene, HACCP, Allergen Control, Hold & Release, Cleaning & Sanitation, CAPA, Pest Management, Traceability & Recall, Customer Feedback, GFSI Standard, Organic & other System Certifications. Computer skills relating to ERP system, including ability to release products based on established release criteria and creating and dispositioning holds. Behave in a professional manner that always represents the Company in the highest ethical standard. Provide support to lab staff as needed, and deploy investigations as appropriately assigned or requested. Obtain NYS licenses for Milk Receiving & Antibiotic Testing, HTST/Pasteurization and testing requirements. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Requirements Education High School Diploma is required. Experience/Qualifications 0–2 years (entry level). Able to lift up to 50 pounds consistently. Proficiency in MS Access, Outlook, Excel and Word. Strong communication skills and ability to work independently. Sense of responsibility and willingness to go above and beyond. Previous plant or quality experience a plus but not required. Good time management and prioritization required. Ability and willingness to work collaboratively when required. Ability to learn and become proficient in software platforms is essential. Benefits We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Equal Employment Opportunity Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an affirmative action employer will comply with all related legal obligations. Salary Description $20.00 – $25.00 per hour #J-18808-Ljbffr