Quality Assurance Lead

Lead Quality Assurance Technician

Cerelia is a global leader in ready-to-bake and ready-to-eat doughs, proudly serving customers across North America, Europe, and Asia with high-quality products that operators and food lovers trust. As experts in dough and batter, Cerelia produces a wide range of items—including rolled and pizza dough, cookies, crepes, pancakes, pastries, waffles, and clean-label options—sold through foodservice, retailers, industrial partners, and private label programs. With cutting-edge production capabilities, more than 40 years of know-how, and a deep commitment to sustainability and innovation, Cerelia combines global strength with a "small-town" passion for partnership, product quality, and culinary creativity.

Position Profile: We are seeking a Lead Quality Assurance Technician who is passionate about quality, food safety, and team leadership. This role provides day-to-day direction to QA Technicians and helps ensure production quality standards, food safety requirements, regulatory expectations, GFSI-benchmarked standards such as SQF, customer specifications, and internal quality policies are consistently met across all shifts. This hands-on leadership position is responsible for planning and coordinating retain sample bake-offs and testing, assembling and reviewing documentation, overseeing and performing equipment calibration, leading testing activities, and assisting verification of corrective and preventive actions. The Lead QA Technician serves as a visible presence on the production floor, reinforcing quality and food safety expectations through engaged, hands-on leadership. Initially, this role will report directly to the Quality Assurance Manager for CAPA support, lead manufacturing training, and transition-related responsibilities. The role will then transition to reporting to the Quality Assurance Supervisor and will be based at the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Whitehall, Ohio.

Responsibilities

• Conduct internal audits to verify that the quality management system and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are followed thoroughly and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Organize, and compile all records completed by operators and QA Technicians, including batch records, CCP monitoring records, and associated production forms.
• Maintain laboratory and testing equipment and oversee the lab equipment calibration program, including review of maintenance and calibration records, and monitor lab supplies inventory
• Support allergen control and gluten-free program requirements, including adherence to segregation practices, gluten-free room protocols, and validated allergen changeover and verification activities.
• Perform data entry of quality results, including retain bake-off outcomes, incident reports, consumer complaints, and other pertinent quality information.
• Prepare, pack, and submit samples for transport to third-party testing laboratories in accordance with established procedures.
• Assist in investigations into non-conformances, consumer complaints, and major defects; assist in identifying and implementing effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
• Assist with the Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP), including environmental swabbing, sample preparation, and identification of hard-to-clean areas.
• Perform sanitation SOP verification activities and conduct sanitation validation swabbing.
• Oversee the daily activities of QA Technicians, including providing guidance and coaching, and ensuring all deliverables are completed accurately and on time.
• Train QA Technicians on inspection methods, documentation practices, testing procedures, and the operation of analytical equipment; identify ongoing training needs and skill gaps.
• Liaise with Production, Maintenance, Sanitation, and other departments to resolve quality issues and drive continuous improvement.
• Participate in internal and external audits (e.g., SQF, GFCO, customer audits) and regulatory inspections.
• Follow established programs, policies, and practices to produce safe, quality foods that meet SQF, regulatory, company, and customer requirements.
• Assist the Quality Supervisor with food safety and quality projects, objectives, and departmental initiatives.
• Provide vacation and absence coverage for QA Technicians on all shifts as needed.

Health & Safety

• Follow company safety policies and practices, fostering a safe workplace and environment for ourselves and our co-workers.
• Prioritize safety while carrying out daily activities.
• Report any unsafe acts or conditions to the immediate production supervisor.
• Understand cleaning chemicals and their handling procedures.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and sanitary working environment always.

Minimum Qualifications Education and/or Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant quality assurance experience, preferably in food manufacturing; an associate degree in a related field (Quality Assurance, Food Science, Chemistry, etc.) is preferred.
• Working knowledge of food safety programs, microbiological principles, and sanitation concepts.
• Experience with certification and regulatory programs (Kosher, Organic, RSPO, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free) preferred; familiarity with gluten-free manufacturing controls is a strong plus.
• Competent with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Demonstrated ability to comprehend written work instructions, procedures, and operational documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new processes, procedures, equipment, and technologies in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to maintain work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and training materials to support onboarding, cross-training, and operational consistency.
• Ability to effectively train, coach, and mentor employees on job duties, work instructions, safety requirements, quality standards, and operational processes, adapting training methods to accommodate varying experience levels and learning styles.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, as required to perform essential job functions. Additional language proficiency in Spanish or French is a plus.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and adapt to changing production demands, priorities, and schedules.
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions, safety procedures, and operational requirements.
• Availability to work varying shifts, including days, nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime, based on business needs.
• Demonstrated ability to provide positive leadership, foster teamwork, and model Cérélia's core values and expected behaviors.
• Proven reliability, initiative, adaptability, and sound judgment in the performance of job responsibilities.

Physical Requirements:

• Able to stand extended periods of time.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and safely stack or carry pans, ingredient containers, and related materials for extended periods.
• Must be able to perform physical tasks for extended periods, including standing, walking, climbing, bending, pushing, pulling, and twisting.