Quality Assurance Tech

Responsible for verifying and documenting the requirements to ensure food safety. Execute daily quality activities to assess incoming materials, work-in-process / product runs, quality, labeling, final inspections, analysis and testing of finished products, and food safety-related sanitation.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assure that customer specifications are achieved and that the facility/Plant meets local, state, and federal food safety and health regulations.
• Partners with the operations management team to ensure food safety best practices and processes. Ensures regulatory food safety compliance.
• Verifies the daily production plan and any immediate needs to be addressed. May conduct pre-operation and other inspections, may reject materials or products, and complete environmental swabbing and quality testing.
• Maintain documentation in support of fresh food specification requirements.
• Conduct and facilitate internal and external quality audits, documenting findings and next steps.
• Work with receivers to verify the documentation of temperature and inspection of delivery trucks (Ensure accurate completion of Receiving logs). Ensure FIFO is followed, and proper allergen
• segregation.
• Use the PPRO app to do receiving inspections, as well as set up the app and check reports in PPRO.
• Complete established USDA swabbing and shelf-life tests of product samples as required. Calibrate test equipment-Scales and Thermometers. Ensure thermometer calibration logs are complete.
• Collect samples, fill out order sheets, pack and ship samples to the lab as required
• Maintain and organize Food Safety and Quality Assurance daily records. Maintain and monitor inventory product retains and spot-check department documentation for accuracy and compliance.
• Monitor / evaluate cleanliness and 5S standards.
• Document downtime-related problems and corrective actions taken when associated with a QA hold or action that interrupts production.
• Perform all quality checks and preventive critical control points (CCP) monitoring (temperature logs, sanitation, labeling checks, net weight, package integrity, and package integrity checks)
• Collaborates and makes recommendations on food safety and quality decisions regarding ingredient, raw product, in-process product, and finished product conformance.
• Prevents and helps with researching information for management to respond (corrective action / preventive action) and follow up to Government (Federal – USDA / FDA / etc., State, County, and City) inquiries.
• Review documents and verify plant recipes/ specifications, labeling, etc.
• Support internal and external food quality/safety audits & report and track corrective actions. Print traceability forms from the QMS.
• May track the quantity of swabs, test strips, chemicals, and other supplies for the QA dept.
• May spend time reviewing market research, trends and collaborate on projects.
• Escalates difficult matters to the QA Supervisor or QA Manager as necessary.
• Performs other duties as needed

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• College-level education or a related degree helpful
• Experience working in a chilled food environment
• Prior HACCP certification, Food Handler, and other certifications desirable
• Excellent communicator, verbally and in writing
• Proficient use of MS Office software and a working knowledge of common applications used
• Experience using Supplier Database or Product Life Cycle Management software; Produce Pro

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES.

• Knowledge of common start-up processes in a USDA factory and Good Manufacturing Procedures
• Demonstrated ability to be a self-starter who will be responsible for common routines.
• Ability to analyze data using spreadsheets, formulas, statistical tools, etc.
• Must be a highly organized and detail-oriented person
• Ability to work within a fast-paced environment and multi-task effectively
• Demonstrates the ability to remain professional and diplomatic when working under pressure
• Ability to apply logical thinking and exercise sound judgment to arrive at appropriate business decisions. This includes a sense of balance between risks involved, timeliness, cost factors and other considerations.