2ND SHIFT - Quality Assurance Manufacturing Coordinator

Job Description

Job Description

1. Position Purpose

To perform Quality and Food Safety tests, checks and audits as assigned to ensure the quality and food safety of all raw, in process and finished goods. To accurately complete and/or enter electronically all required safety, quality and food safety results and documentation. The Quality Assurance Coordinator ensures overall quality and food safety by performing production line quality checks, pre-operational inspections, operational control are within tolerances, analytical testing, microbiological testing, inspections, audits, chart controls, and quality checks. Additionally, the Quality Technician records analytical testing results within the electronic SAP system and Intelex Quality Management System. The Quality Assurance Coordinator ensures compliance with all required safety procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices and Summit Hill Foods quality and food safety standards to maintain work areas within the facility in a safe, clean and sanitary environment.

1. Organization Relationships

This position reports to the Quality Manager and peers include all employees associated with manufacturing, quality and support operations. In absence, responsibility is designated to the position’s direct manager (see organizational chart).

1. Workplace Safety

Adheres to all Safety policies and procedures and maintains a clean and safe work area. Uses Personal Protective Equipment as required and/or appropriate. Attends Safety training and other Safety activities. Reports unsafe conditions and behaviors and reports near misses, accidents or suspected injuries in a timely manner.

1. Position Responsibilities & Duties

Q.A. Coordinator will be open to rotation and/or shift changes. Q.A. Coordinators may be called upon to perform duties outside of the Q. A. Coordinator responsibilities that proactively support company needs. The following list of responsibilities and duties is not all-inclusive and is intended to provide the general responsibilities, duties and expectations of the job. Based on the variability of the Q.A. processes and needs the responsibilities and duties will vary.

1. Workplace Safety

• Adheres to all Safety policies and procedures
• Maintains a hazard free work area
• Uses Personal Protective Equipment as required and/or appropriate
• Attends all Safety training and other Safety activities
• Notifies teammates when they compromise Safe Operating Procedures
• Reports near misses, accidents or suspected injuries in a timely manner
• Completes Safety Work Orders when appropriate
• Participates in Safety initiatives, committees and teams 
• Reports unsafe conditions and behaviors 
• Never takes shortcuts or uses the improper tools/equipment that could compromise the Safety of themselves or others 

1. Food Safety & Quality

• Adheres to all Food Safety/Quality SOP’s 
• Accurately completes required Food Safety & Quality records
• Communicates any known or suspected Food Safety/ Quality issues to the Quality Food Safety Manager
• Performs analytical testing on raw materials, work-in-process materials and finished products 
• Responsible for CCP Monitoring and Batch Release Procedures 
• Attends all Food Safety/Quality training sessions
• Performs ATP testing, Allergen Testing and Environmental Testing as required
• Places non-conforming raw materials, work-in-process materials and finished products on Quality Hold 

1. Quality Assurance Technician Operations

• Is the expert in and performs the following job functions within the established Safety, Quality and Production guidelines and/or SOP’s:

1. Knowledgeable of all receiving, in process, finished product controls, analysis and tests including Raw Material Testing and Verification.
2. Performs equipment calibrations and maintenance activities of lab instruments used for monitoring and measuring according to specified schedules.
3. Knows and understands the operation of all lab testing equipment including Water Activity Meters, pH meters, Salt Titrators, Torque Testers, Viscosity Meters, Bench Top Scales, Moisture Analyzers, Fat Machine, and any other equipment utilized to perform analytical testing within the facility.
4. Capable of monitoring all processing lines and able to perform quality audit checks on all products and lines when running production.
5. Audits in process, finished product, and traceability controls including code dates, label verification, lot number traceability and transactions within the SAP System.
6. Maintains open communication with management, team members, and other departments to minimize out of specification conditions and foreign substance contamination or adulteration.
7. Performs special audits to ensure plant adherence to customer, company, statutory and regulatory requirements.
8. Collects, prepares, mails and follows up on, if necessary, various samples to external laboratories, customers and suppliers. 
9. Identifies non-conforming products or materials and follows the Quality Hold Process to ensure proper segregation of identified materials, Completes HOLD document in database and places materials on hold physically and in the ERP system for further evaluation. Timely reports non-conformances and issues identified during quality activities to the Quality Manager
10. Investigates non-conforming products or materials through trouble shooting, problem solving, analytical testing, inspection and assists with providing hold disposition.
11. Works closely with key personnel concerning observation, identification, notifications, documentation, isolation, audit and disposition of non-conformance product or materials. 
12. Complies data and distributes finished product Certificates of Analysis to various departments and customers as required.
13. Maintains and updates various quality assurance files including testing logs, calibration records, Standard Operating Procedures, and other quality documentation as required.
14. Assists in development and implementation of on going quality assurance and food safety programs. 
15. Conducts and assists in special projects or studies as required. 
16. Maintains all lab and lab equipment in clean and sanitary condition
17. Responsible for checking inbound raw materials and supplies per item inspection plan and label verification.
18. Verification of quality, vendors, quantities, associated lot numbers, specifications, and certificate of analysis results of incoming raw materials. 
19. Sample each shipment of incoming raw material and have knowledge of all required testing and methodologies used for verification.
20. Assists with the investigation into non-conformances including complaints and audit findings.
21. Trains Quality Technicians and other personnel as needed. 
22. Conducts product evaluation training, evaluates product, maintains evaluation controls, and proactively participates in correction of discrepancies. 
23. Assists in organization and rotation of retained samples.
24. Proactively participates in the advancement of the Quality Department
25. Lead and/or participates in plant internal audit program or GMPs walk throughs. 
26. Aids the Quality Manager and Operations with customer complaint investigations as needed. 
27. Proactively participates in the advancement of the Quality Department including maintaining of inventories, spreadsheets, etc. 
28. Understands and adheres to Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Laboratory Practices.
29. Verifies sanitation changeovers as required. 
30. Actively monitors and assists in managing Operational and Cleaning controls including Vorne (operational monitoring, downtime reporting, etc.).
31. Actively monitors and assists in managing Operational and Cleaning controls including Proxes/Carlson (operational controls and CIPs).
32. Performs all other duties as assigned. 

1. Sanitation

• Maintains a clean and sanitary work area
• Maintains clean and sanitary machinery & equipment
• Communicates any sanitation issues to the Quality & Food Safety Manager.
• Always maintains an audit ready status of the quality lab
• Supports the Pest Control Contractor through recognition and reporting of insects and pests
• Performs ATP Testing of equipment during Pre-Operational Inspection
• Performs Allergen Testing as required
• Collects environmental swabs as required
• Collects air samples as required

1. Equipment

The Quality Technician is responsible for operating the following food safety and quality testing equipment:

• Water Activity
• pH Meter
• Titrators
• Fat Analyzer
• Moisture Analyzer
• Bench Top Scales
• Bulk Scales
• Viscosity Meter
• Torque Meter
• Hunter Colorimeter MiniScan
• Hunter colorimeter LabScan
• Neogen Gluten Test kits
• Monitoring operational systems for Vorne, Proxes, Carlson, etc.

1. Working Conditions

This position requires most of the work to be completed in the Quality Assurance lab area. Some time is required in the production areas picking up samples or conducting inspections or audits. Standing for long periods of time is required. Repetitive motion may be required in some areas of the operation. PPE is required depending on job task being performed, hearing protection is always required in designated areas.

1. Essential Skills

• Demonstrated ability to perform basic math skills including addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, and percentage calculations.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail.
• Positive attitude is a must and the ability to work cross functionally.
• Broad range of computer and company software programs and applications such as MS Outlook, Word, Excel, SAP, Intelex.
• Ability to read and interpret procedures, specifications, and other documents. Ability to write reports and procedures.
• Must function well under stress and possess strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Knowledge, understanding and practical use of Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions based on facts and an understanding of how decisions affect downstream processes and customers.

1. Educational/Experience Level:

• Previous Quality or Lab work. Food manufacturing experience is a plus.

• Four year degree within a science related field is preferred but not required. Two years of college with/or related work experience is acceptable.
• Licenses/Certifications: Certification for HACCP and/or PCQI a plus.