Quality Supervisor

Position Objective:

Responsible for managing and overseeing laboratory technicians and all testing conducted to ensure the right procedures and methods are used and that all products meet finish product release criteria. Provide technical support to the production team and perform quality control verification for both in-process and finished products. Coordinate training roster for all food safety and quality related training for all employees. Understand the Safe Quality Food (SQF) system standards and ensure compliance to all requirements as well as FDA’s food safety modernization act (FSMA) requirements. 

Key Result Areas:

Performance Standards

Regulatory Requirements

• Participate in the development of a Food Safety Plan that meets FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Preventive Controls requirements.
• Support maintenance and management of the Food Safety Plan.
• Collect samples and perform applicable test to ensure environmental compliance with storm water and wastewater permits as required.

Technical Control

• Supervise laboratory technicians and all analytical testing to ensure compliance to procedures and finish product specification requirements. 
• Ensure all laboratory equipment is set up and operated according to standard operating procedures:
  • Equipment is calibrated at the scheduled frequency, records are maintained, and verification activities are documented. 
  • Equipment preventive maintenance and repair is executed in a timely manner
  • All chemical solutions, including media are prepared according to standard formulations. 
• Analyze lab data at a set frequency and report deviations or trend impacting key performance indicators such as First Pass Quality
• Provide training to Lab Technicians on new lab methodology or updates to existing methods or standard operating procedures. 
• Develop and/or implement good manufacturing and good laboratory practices that meet company standards.  
• Coordinate and execute annual inter-laboratory testing. Evaluate and report results.  Provide refresher training as necessary. 
• Promptly notify Quality Manager of potential withdrawal/recall situations
• Develop and implement continuous improvement projects to improve lab efficiency 
• Maintain yeast culture inventory 

Quality Control & Quality Assurance 

• Review in-process and finished product HACCP records.
• Review and sign preventive control records per FSMA requirements.
• Review production and quality report sheets and make corrections
• Perform sanitation validation of the production areas
• Perform GMP inspections inside and outside the facility

• Provide manufacturing with information as needed for production.
• Support production teams as the subject matter expert for quality and food safety related subjects.
• Conduct comparative analysis of field samples when obtained.
• Coordinate testing of finished product to verify conformity with specifications
• Identify and investigate non-conformance related to any finished product release parameter
• Review in-process and finished product quality to ensure they are within acceptable limits
• Support investigation of customer complaints, prepare timely written responses in accordance with Corporate QA Policy, and develop and implement effective measures to prevent reoccurrence.
• Answer requests for information from Sales and customers promptly and completely
• Maintain computer files in QA database, SharePoint system with QA data on all products produced at the site.
• Enter COA data into database for all manufactured products.
• Serve as back-up for the recall and withdrawal coordinator
• Review, update and develop plant SOP's 

Key Result Areas:

Performance Standards

Financial Control

• Maintain adequate inventory of laboratory supplies within budget
• Development of employee schedule to ensure compliance to budgeted overtime
• Assist in departmental budgets preparation.

Backup Support

• Act as backup for the Quality Manager and SQF practitioner
  • Update and review programs to ensure compliance with SQF requirements
  • Take appropriate action to ensure compliance the integrity of the SQF system
  • Communicate with relevant personnel all information essential to ensure the effective implementation and maintenance of the SQF system. 
  • Participate in reanalysis of the site's Food Safety and Food Defense Plans to ensure compliance with FSMA
  • Support the management and implementation of the Food Safety and Food Defense requirements. 
• Act as backup for Lab Technician on any shift as necessary. 
• Participate in third party, internal audit and customer audits

Human Resources

• Comply with HR policies and procedures & relevant employment laws.
• Provide periodic and effective training of plant personnel on applicable food safety and quality issues, to ensure compliance with all certifications and regulatory requirements and efficient process control.
• Supervise quality staff providing clear direction of job duties for each direct report.
• Ensure backup SQF practitioner is identified and trained appropriately.

Other

• Availability to work rotating shifts when necessary 
• Occasional change in work schedule with limited notice
• Occasional overtime may be require​​​​​​​Comply with Good Manufacturing Practices
• Other duties, as assigned.

A COMBINATION OF THE LISTED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE IS PREFERRED

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related Science Major.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a food or pharmaceutical manufacturing facility including leadership experience.
• Food Safety/HACCP/GFSI training. (Certification is required).
• Excellent PC skills in Word, Access, Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred

• SQF Practitioner
• PCQI certified
• Excellent organizational, analytical, prioritization and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Supervisory experience in a laboratory setting.
• Process and/or product development experience.

Working Conditions

• Comply with all plant Safety Rules and Regulations
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and talk, hear and smell. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is sometimes exposed to airborne particles and chemicals. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts.  The employee frequently works in high places and is infrequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.