Retail Quality Assurance Lead

Quality Assurance Lead

General Purpose Of The Job: This Quality Assurance Lead serves as a team leader for HACCP, GMP, Organic, between all quality/food safety programs including but not limited to microbiological testing, Organic Integrity, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) programs, in-house and third party audits, quality evaluations and compliance certifications. This position supports QA management to ensure full compliance with quality and food safety regulations established by True Leaf Farms, LLC. This position rotates between shifts, working holidays and weekends, and flexible hours based on business demands.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assists in supervising and assures QA Technicians on the floor are meeting regulatory and company food safety polices/standards throughout all phases of the manufacturing process.
• Closely monitors quality and food safety parameters in accordance with specifications and SOP's.
• Reports QA/Food Safety major issues to the QA supervisors and represent the team when needed.
• Directly supports and coordinate pre-operation inspection of the manufacturing facility. Coordinates and supervises ATP testing and environmental swabbing.
• Directs GMP inspections, elaborate GMP reports, and reports issues to management.
• Reviews HACCP documentation submitted by QA technician during the shift. Maintains records of HACCP verifications and Corrective actions. Keeps hold records for any suspected products.
• Enters Quality/Food Safety information into computer database in an accurate and efficient manner.
• Supports QA supervisors with daily QA reports of discrepancies that occurred during production shifts. Follows up with product on hold and corrective actions.
• Supports QA supervisors with investigation of problems on the production floor and provide recommendations through root cause analysis.
• Encourages production employees to follow all GMP/Safety requirements at all times by leading the example. Cooperate with production supervisors and managers and ensure compliance with all Company policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), Hazard Communication, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21 - Section 110, and FSMA.
• Trains the Plant QA Technicians at the beginning of every season and upon hiring in food safety, quality standards and good manufacturing practices.
• Participates in testing of new products by evaluation quality and spec tolerances.
• Reviews retain samples to better understand the quality performance of processed products. Reports and explains issues noted and looks for possible solutions/improvement.
• Adapts to other duties and responsibilities assigned by QA management without previous notice.
• Evaluates precision and accuracy of QA testing equipment and any other analytical equipment.
• Assist the Quality supervisors in maintaining inventory of QA supplies and testing equipment.
• Suggests and implements changes in working conditions and use of techniques to increase efficient QA results.
• Covers QA technician positions when needed

Education And Experience:

• Three (3) to Five (5) years of related experience in a food systems or food manufacturing environment with increasing levels of responsibility and authority; 1+ years of leadership experience strongly preferred
• Experience and knowledge of fruit & fresh produce raw materials, production processes, quality control and cost management

Computer Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and good working knowledge of other Microsoft Office software. Experience and proficiency in database software a plus.

Other Skills & Abilities:

• Team player who will exceed assigned responsibilities and assist others to reach objectives
• Strong oral and written communication skills to deliver technical information in an easily understood manner across all departments
• Strong analytical and project management skills.
• Must have ability to use or learn the Quality/SOP compliance software.
• Must have effective organizational, planning and prioritization skills.

Other Qualifications:

• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification required.
• Seasonal Travel/Relocation between operating Facilities required.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus

Work Environment:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to a cold (34-36 degrees F) and wet manufacturing environment, the smell of chlorine, outside weather conditions, uneven walking surfaces, heavy machinery, forklift traffic and loud noise.

Analysis Of Physical Demands:

Key (Based on typical week): N = Never R = Rarely (Less than 1 hour per week) O = Occasional (1%-33% of time) F = Frequent (34%-66% of time) C = Constant (over 66% of time)