Quality Assurance Supervisor

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position actively supervises Food Safety and Quality Assurance programs at Distant Lands Coffee. Supervision includes actively collaborating with operational teams, on-going program oversight of food safety certification (AIB, GFSI, GMA SAFE, etc.), compliance to Distant Lands corporate Quality Assurance / Food Safety requirements, and other related initiatives to ensure the quality and integrity of products produced and packaged at Distant Lands facilities. The QA Supervisor assists with the development and performance of all quality and food safety initiatives, including internal and external audits.

REPORTING TO THIS POSITION: QC Technicians

KEY DUTIES:

· Lead all quality assurance personnel in plant activities relevant to QA

· Insure conformance to specifications for all finished products for compliance purposes to the Safe Quality Food (SQF) standard

· Maintain Quality Assurance standards and procedures, including testing, data collection, and product traceability to assure compliance to all food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.

· Promote adherence to product specifications, Good Manufacturing Practices, HACCP plan execution, and SSOP’s that govern plant operations.

· Promote food safety culture throughout the plant and ensure adherence to food safety measures

· Manage and enhance the Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP’s) and ensure correct documentation of cleaning.

· Work with the quality team to resolve issues and implement effective corrective and preventive actions identified in customer complaints, and internal audits

· Maintain the Quality Hold process for containment, track and ensure product disposition is executed per instruction.

· Develop the sensory capability to distinguish differences in flavors or various coffee samples

· Assist in conducting training in various formats to meet the needs of the employees within the parameters of their positions to consistently produce employees who are well-trained in the skills and requirements of their positions.

· Maintain all processing records related to Food Safety, Quality, and Safety requirements to meet company guidelines and regulatory requirements.

· Participate in verification activities to ensure that all products leaving the facility meet all established standards.

· Assist with developing and maintaining systems and procedures for complying with Bioterrorism, Food Defense/Food Safety, and prevention of Intentional Adulteration regulations.

· Ensure all safety training is completed according to OSHA and company standards.

· Every employee has a responsibility to report employee safety, food safety and/or quality concerns to their Supervisor/Manager immediately upon identification.

· Acts as the site’s backup SQF Practitioner

· All other duties as assigned

POSITION SKILL/COMPETENCY:

· Demonstrate leadership in the areas of food safety, plant regulatory and Quality Assurance.

· Familiarity with Statistical Process Control

· Working knowledge of FDA and/or USDA Rules and Regulations

· Working knowledge of food defense standards, guidance, and industry best
practices.

· Must have strong organizational, leadership and communication skills

· Ability to analyze processes for Biological, Chemical, and Physical hazards with a thorough understanding of the science and support behind each type of hazard and each step within a production process

· Able to work with cross functional departments within the organization

· Good problem solving and corrective action/resolution skills

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

· Bachelor’s degree in Food Safety, Environmental Health, Microbiology, Food
Science, or other science related field preferred but equivalent experience in the coffee industry or manufacturing/food sales environment considered.

· 3 years of progressive food processing experience, with at least 2 years in a
supervisory capacity within a manufacturing environment that includes HACCP operation, USDA and/or FDA oversight.

· 3 years facilitating food safety/quality related training events.

· Previous experience with food safety certification bodies is a plus.

· HACCP Certification from a nationally/internationally recognized and accredited HACCP training firm.

· Strong computer skills with experience using Word, Excel, Access, Power Point.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Referral program

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person