Quality Specialist

At Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, we are excited to start a new chapter of accelerated growth as part of Froneri – a global pure-play ice cream leader. Come help us transform DGIC into the #1 ice cream brand! With nearly 100 years of winning experience in the U.S, a robust portfolio of powerhouse brands that consumers know and love such as Häagen-Dazs, Drumstick, Dreyer’s & Edy’s, and the backing and coaching of European-based ice cream experts, we know we have the winning recipe.

Headquartered in Walnut Creek, the Bay Area’s hub for up and coming food trends, our teams across our offices and factories are raising the bar on all things ice cream. We are investing in significant capital expansions to grow our Operations and Supply Chain and are transforming how we work at every level to become agile, accelerate growth and elevate our quality. With a renewed focus on frozen treats, our tight-knit team of ambitious innovators are fully immersed in the business and encouraged to flex and make decisions quickly. We are committed to pursuing every great idea and delivering the best ice cream experience for our consumers, when and where they want it. Unleash your potential at Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream and discover what a sweet career we have in store for you.

The Quality Specialist performs a variety of quality control tests/inspections and/or standard microbiological, chemical, physical, or sensory testing on products, materials, components, etc. at various stages of the production process to ensure compliance with quality standards.  They will manage finished product release criteria (i.e. net contents, sensory program, Critical Control Point [CCP]).  Responsibilities will also include internal auditing, recording statistical data and analyzing production data to verify compliance or determine deviation from existing standards. They will work closely with the Quality Team to help identify, solve and prevent problems affecting quality and food safety.

ROLE
• Employee shall lead by example compliance to required GMP, quality and food safety requirements.
• Escalate quality or food safety findings or incidents to management.
• Supports improvement initiatives
• Assist, coach and train line operators in attaining quality standards
ACTIVITIES
• Quality specialist will be assigned to assist quality supervisor with oversight in hygiene, operational quality or food safety/compliance. Specific assignments will be given by quality supervisor and will relate to supervisor’s area of oversight.
• Oversight of assigned systems to ensure they are in compliance with sanitation, food safety, regulatory and/or quality requirements. Oversight includes auditing, coaching, identifying and closing gaps and reporting system integrity to supervisor quarterly.
• Verify key quality/food safety checks by observation of line operators performing checks. Verification will be performed on all shifts, documented and done at frequency specified to the system requirements.
• Participate on food safety team as assigned.
• Perform pre-requisite program audits as assigned, follow up on CA and complete documentation.
• Perform CIP line inspections as needed. CIP line inspections include visual verification, micro swabs and ATP swabs.
Systems that can be assigned to Quality Specialist include:
• Allergen management program
• Finished Products: release, hold and rework/reprocessing documentation review.
• Raw Material: release and hold
• Sensory program
• Customer complaints
• Production run line extensions
• Environmental Monitoring Program
• Foreign Objects
• Glass/Brittle program
• Micro correlation studies
• Document control for quality, food safety and/or micro records
MEASURABLE OUTCOMES
• CPMU reduction
• Respect of GMP and distribution of the “lesson learnt “
• Reduction of pallets on holds
• Reduction of food safety incidents
• Being on the shop floor making ice-cream

LEVELS OF RESPONSIBILITY
• Complete checks on lines
• Communicate out of specification results to line management and quality management
• Inspection of lines after sanitation activities

BEHAVIORS
• Performance – Pay attention to detail in executing checks. Be enthusiastic quality advocate.
• Hands on approach –Follow schedule in executing checks and inspections. Communicate results with the line leadership. Know and understand the role
• Zero compromise on Quality and excellence – When in the plant use looking eyes to ensure plant is making products according to specification and in compliance for GMP and food safety standards.
• Entrepreneurial – Always strives to be creative, wants to present the best products possible from a maintained, clean and safe factory environment
• Continually striving knowledge of the process and product - Logical, creative and committed. Able to problem solve
• Teamwork – Work with quality team and production by participating in meeting and communicating quality expectations.
• Accountability – Monitor and guarantee the respect of the quality standards and GMP in order to avoid complaints and consumer safety issues.
• Consumer focused – When completing checks remember the consumer and their expectations.

Position Qualifications: 

• 18 years of age or older
• Aptitude for automated mechanical processes with good troubleshooting and diagnostic skills
• Excellent interpersonal communication, math and problem solving skills
• Ability to work multiple shifts and/or schedules.
• High School diploma, GED or equivalent experience
• B.S. in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or another related field required. Will consider 5 years’ experience in Quality Assurance role in lieu of degree

Behavioral Attributes: 

• Adaptable - Adjust approach to match varied task requirements; Adjust behavior to others’ styles; Change priorities to meet changing demands; Adjust quickly to new responsibilities and tasks
• Communication - presents ideas optimally, actively listens and works across functional boundaries.
• Teamwork/ Cooperation - effectively working within and outside the formal line of authority.

Work Environment 

In this position, the employee will regularly work with and around others; in a wet and/or humid environment; in areas of high noise level; and around mechanical, electrical, and pressurized equipment. The work is fast-paced.

 The position involves frequent exposure to nuts and other potential allergens.

The pay scale for this role considers the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The pay scale disclosed below has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The pay range for prospective employees in this role is between $66,560 and $71,000 per year.

Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Inc. provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants, regardless of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. 

Salary : $66,560 - $71,000