What are the responsibilities and job description for the Quality Team Leader position at CAYUGA MILK INGREDIENTS LLC?

Job Description

Description : Job Description

Position Title : Quality Team Lead

Reports To : Quality Manager

FLSA Status : Salaried

Job Grade : 7

Pay Range : $78,000 - $111,000

Date Revised : December 2024

Position Overview :

The Quality Team Leader is a pivotal role ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, food safety protocols, and quality assurance processes within the facility. This position involves overseeing laboratory operations, developing and refining SOPs, providing training, and supporting quality initiatives in operations. The Quality Team Leader will be responsible for managing laboratory activities, maintaining certifications, and ensuring the accuracy of testing and quality processes. A deep understanding of processes, products, and testing procedures is essential, along with the ability to train and lead the team effectively.

Key Responsibilities :

Regulatory & Food Safety :

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
Perform duties of the QA Manager in their absence.
Oversee microbiological testing, including spore testing, and support QA investigations and projects.

Laboratory Management :

Manage chemical, physical, organoleptic, bacteriological, and shelf-life testing of finished products.

Maintain laboratory supplies and equipment and oversee inventory.

Develop and maintain laboratory SOPs and SSOPs, providing training and updates as necessary.

Team Leadership & Training :

Schedule, train, and support laboratory staff for full operational coverage.

Provide performance feedback and manage technician training programs.

Conduct and assist with quality-related training for all plant personnel.

Quality Assurance Programs :

Manage the Hold / Release Program and issue quality alerts and non-compliance reports.

Maintain certifications and programs, including HACCP, SQF, and Appendix N testing.

Develop and monitor QA data, reports, and KPIs.

Operational Support :

Collaborate with plant management and key personnel to prevent and resolve quality issues.

Support international product shipment requirements and customer documentation.

Participate in HACCP and SQF teams and provide technical resources for QA processes.

Process Development & Documentation :

Create and maintain production documentation, ensuring effective document control.

Develop, refine, and deliver operational and quality SOPs with comprehensive training materials.

Communication & Reporting :

Provide clear, concise reporting to senior management.

Establish effective working relationships with employees and stakeholders.

Miscellaneous Duties :

Participate in inspections, assessments, and audits.

Assist with pathogen monitoring and ensure adherence to GMP, FDA, and SQF standards.

Flexibility to work unscheduled shifts, overtime, or cover for vacations as needed.

Qualifications :

Education & Experience :

Bachelor’s degree in Dairy Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or Food Engineering preferred.

Minimum 5 years of quality assurance experience in the dairy manufacturing industry preferred.

Supervisory or management experience desirable.

Skills & Competencies :

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Knowledge of GMP, FDA, SQF, and regulatory standards.

Familiarity with lab equipment (e.g., pH meter, balances, spectrophotometer).

Ability to train others, work independently, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Physical & Schedule Requirements :

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and work 12-hour shifts or other schedules as needed.

Reliable transportation for scheduled shifts.

Preferred Skills :

Experience with advanced analytical techniques such as GC or HPLC.

Familiarity with developing training materials and conducting effective training sessions.

Environmental Considerations :

Must be able to work in environments with varying temperatures.

Potential exposure to ingredients used in food manufacturing, including allergens.

May encounter chemicals commonly used in food processing and distribution facilities.

Physical Requirements :

Ability to navigate all areas of the facility, including office spaces, warehouse areas, and the exterior perimeter.

Must wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) as necessary to safely perform job duties.

Ability to stand, sit, and carry out tasks throughout a full shift, with appropriate meal breaks.

Physically capable of standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, twisting, lifting, pushing, pulling, climbing, balancing, and crouching as needed.

Able to lift and move items weighing up to 50 pounds independently and heavier objects with reasonable accommodations.

Visual acuity sufficient to perform job duties accurately.

Capable of assessing weights, judging distances, and working at various heights.

Work Schedule :

Monday - Friday 7-4pm; Flexibility to meet the needs of a 24-hour day, 7 day per week operation. Willingness to come in as needed to support all shifts, including holidays, nights, and weekends.

Compensation :

At Cayuga Milk Ingredients, we value a fair and comprehensive approach to compensation. Our wage range for this role is determined by various factors, including skill sets, experience, training, licensure, certifications, and organizational needs. It is not typical for an employee to start at or near the top of the range for the position. Compensation decisions are made based on individual job circumstances considering skill level, previous experience, and education requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer :

Cayuga Milk Ingredients is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Non-Discrimination Policy :

The contractor will not discriminate against employees or applicants for discussing or disclosing their own pay or the pay of others. However, employees with access to compensation information as part of their job duties are prohibited from disclosing this information to unauthorized individuals, except in specific circumstances outlined by applicable laws and regulations (41 CFR 60-1.35(c)).

General Statement :

All Cayuga employees recognize that the success and prosperity of the company is everyone’s responsibility. All employees are expected to treat each other in a positive, respectful, and professional manner, to be at work for their assigned shift and to work safely as a team. Employees must be self-starters who can relate to all levels of the organization.

Disclaimer :

o All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

o This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

o The company reserves the right to add to or revise an employee's job duties at any time at its sole discretion.

o This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

Requirements : Qualifications :