Lead Quality Assurance Technician - 2nd Shift

POSITION TITLE : Quality Assurance Technician	POSITION STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt
LOCATION: Liberty, SC	DEPARTMENT: Quality
REPORT TO: FSQA Manager	EFFECTIVE DATE: May 2026

 

Position Profile

Cérélia's newly established Frozen Breakfast Business Unit – US Waffle – is driving an ambitious growth strategy, backed by two manufacturing facilities, Liberty, SC, and Hazelwood, MO. To effectively support the rapid scaling of operations at our state-of-the-art Liberty facility, US Waffle is seeking a dynamic and skilled Lead Quality Assurance Technician to join our team in Liberty, SC.

The Lead Quality Assurance Technician is responsible for supporting and maintaining the highest standards of food safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and customer requirements throughout the manufacturing process. This hands-on role serves as a key point of contact between the QA team, Production, and FSQA leadership to ensure products and processes consistently meet established specifications.

The successful candidate will provide direction and assistance to QA Technicians, monitor production and finished products, conduct required inspections and audits, maintain accurate documentation, and promptly identify and communicate food safety or quality concerns.

This role requires a strong understanding of SQF, GMPs, HACCP, SOPs, sanitation requirements, customer specifications, and food safety practices , as well as the ability to make sound decisions and take immediate action when issues arise.

The Lead Quality Assurance Technician is expected to help build a well-trained, accountable, and positive team focused on food safety, quality, efficiency, continuous improvement, and company success .

The role requires a hands-on presence on the production floor and regular interaction with Production, QA, and management to ensure the facility remains SQF-ready and products are manufactured safely, efficiently, and according to customer expectations.

This strategic position will report directly to the FSQA Manager.

 

Prima ry Responsibilities

1) Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Provide direction and assistance to QA Technicians to ensure compliance with internal quality policies, regulatory requirements, customer specifications, and food safety standards.
• Monitor and verify compliance with SQF, GMPs, HACCP, SOPs, SSOPs, and other applicable food safety and sanitation requirements.
• Conduct audits of production processes and finished products to verify compliance with product specifications, customer requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Conduct timely in-process and finished-product audits as required by QA SOPs.
• Conduct pre-operational inspections following sanitation to verify adequate cleaning of production lines and production areas.
• Monitor the production floor and ensure the facility remains SQF-ready every day.
• Implement or coordinate corrective actions necessary to prevent food safety and quality issues.
• Immediately report food safety, food quality, sanitation, or operational concerns to the QA Supervisor, Production leadership, or appropriate member of management.
• Take appropriate action to prevent cross-contamination by following established policies and procedures.
• Ensure all applicable safety and OSHA requirements are followed and report violations or unsafe conditions immediately.
• Ensure customer specifications are consistently met through product evaluation, process monitoring, and timely corrective action.

2) QA Team Leadership & Performance

• Support the development of a well-trained QA team that is committed to safety, quality, efficiency, and company success.
• Serve as the first point of contact for QA Technicians when an issue cannot be resolved at the technician level.
• Provide direction, assistance, and constructive feedback to QA Technicians.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, professionalism, and a positive work environment.
• Ensure team members follow established policies, procedures, GMPs, SOPs, food safety standards, and safety requirements.
• Communicate operational and quality concerns effectively to Production and FSQA leadership.
• Ensure the team follows corrective actions established by management to minimize product holds, waste, and quality issues.
• Support attendance, punctuality, break, lunch, and time-clock expectations.
• Treat all employees with dignity and respect and promote an environment of honesty, integrity, and collaboration.

3) Production & Process Quality

• Monitor production processes to ensure products are manufactured according to established specifications and customer requirements.
• Verify correct lot numbers are being used at mixing stations and compare lot information with Plex entries.
• Verify that product is being produced and packaged according to customer requirements.
• Notify Production leadership of waste issues, machine malfunctions, or other conditions that may affect product quality or efficiency.
• Coordinate with Operations to ensure excellent product quality is maintained throughout production.
• Monitor process performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and minimize labor expense.
• Support company goals and objectives through continuous improvement activities.
• Help ensure production performance meets or exceeds company expectations while maintaining food safety and quality standards.
• Properly utilize labor resources to support efficient operations and minimize unnecessary labor expense and waste.

4) Product Testing, Sampling & Verification

• Retain and evaluate shift samples according to established procedures.
• Collect microbiological samples as required.
• Conduct equipment calibrations in accordance with SOPs and when calibration is required due to damaged, broken, or otherwise compromised equipment.
• Pull product retains for evaluation when necessary, including in response to customer complaints.
• Review production and QA documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Review and correct daily shift documentation from QA and Production as necessary.
• Ensure all required hold documentation is completed, including forms, stickers, and hold logs.
• Place products on HOLD status in Plex when required.
• Monitor held product and associated documentation to ensure proper controls are maintained.

5) Documentation & Communication

• Maintain accurate and timely QA records and documentation.
• Ensure required check sheets, forms, logs, and other documentation are completed correctly.
• Prepare copies of check sheets and other documents as needed to support production and QA activities.
• Communicate operational issues promptly to Production supervision and the FSQA Supervisor.
• Communicate food safety and food quality concerns immediately to appropriate leadership to initiate corrective action.
• Provide clear and timely information regarding product, process, and compliance issues.
• Support customer complaint investigations by providing product retains, documentation, and relevant QA information.

6) Customer Focus & Continuous Improvement

• Provide outstanding service to internal and external customers and support strong customer relationships through consistent product quality.
• Ensure customer specifications and expectations are understood and met.
• Identify opportunities to improve product quality, process efficiency, and team performance.
• Generate ideas and suggestions that improve team performance, process efficiency, product quality, and waste reduction.
• Drive company goals and objectives through continuous improvement and proactive problem-solving.
• Support initiatives designed to minimize product holds and waste while maintaining food safety and quality.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the FSQA Supervisor or other members of leadership.

Core Competencies

 

• Drive High Performance: Demonstrates accountability for food safety, quality, productivity, and team performance. Maintains focus and urgency while ensuring established standards and procedures are followed.
• Collaborate: Builds positive working relationships with QA, Production, Operations, and management. Communicates openly, listens effectively, provides constructive feedback, and supports team decisions.
• Can-Do Attitude: Maintains a positive, solution-focused approach when addressing quality, production, or operational challenges. Demonstrates resilience and willingness to take action in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Innovate & Improve: Proactively identifies opportunities to improve quality, efficiency, processes, documentation, and team performance. Supports continuous improvement and waste-reduction initiatives.
• Accuracy & Attention to Detail: Demonstrates precision when inspecting products, reviewing documentation, verifying lot numbers, monitoring specifications, and ensuring compliance with food safety and customer requirements.
• Decision-Making: Evaluates problems and determines appropriate corrective action. Understands when to resolve an issue independently and when to escalate it to the FSQA Supervisor or management.
• Teamwork: Contributes to a positive team environment, supports coworkers, maintains a professional attitude, and places team success above individual interests.
• Integrity & Ethics: Treats others with dignity and respect, works honestly, maintains confidentiality when appropriate, and upholds company values and food safety responsibilities.
• Dependability: Reports to work as scheduled, demonstrates reliable attendance and punctuality, follows management direction, and is willing to work extended hours, overtime, weekends, or holidays when business needs require.

 

Qualifications

 

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous experience in food manufacturing, quality assurance, food safety, or a related field preferred.
• Working knowledge of SQF, GMPs, HACCP, SOPs, SSOPs, and food safety requirements .
• Basic mathematical skills.
• Basic computer skills and ability to accurately enter and retrieve information from company systems, including Plex.
• Ability to read and follow written procedures, specifications, and instructions.
• Ability to identify quality and food safety issues and take appropriate action.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Production, QA, Operations, and management.
• Bilingual skills preferred but not required.
• Must be willing and able to work weekends, extended hours, and overtime as required.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

 

Physical & Safety Requirements

 

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. and, when required by the operation, handle heavier materials with appropriate assistance.
• Must comply with all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety requirements, sanitation procedures, and company safety policies.
• Must comply with all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements.
• Must immediately report food safety problems, unsafe practices, or unsafe conditions to the appropriate lead or supervisor.
• Requires constant standing and frequent walking on hard concrete surfaces.
• Requires frequent bending, stooping, squatting, pushing, lifting, climbing, reaching, and handling materials.
• May require occasional sitting.
• May require working in very hot or cold conditions.
• Work environment may include flour dust, wet floors, and occasional smoke or fumes resulting from burned product.
• Must be physically capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be available to work extended hours, overtime, weekends, and other schedules as required by business needs.