Quality Assurance Lead

Shift:  1st Shift   

Position Type: Full Time

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Quality Assurance Supervisor and the Quality Assurance Manager, the QA Lead has the responsibility of performing clerical duties and special projects. Coordinates, organize, and maintain documentation (paperwork). Assure paperwork documentation has been verified. Maintain data entry into the computer systems and programs per customer requirements. Work with QA team and other department personnel to meet requirements, assignments, and responsibilities. In the case of shortage of QA technician performing production line checks, ensuring GMP’s are being followed, and ensuring the quality of both in process component packaging as well as finished products. 

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED Required.
•  1 year of high-speed production experience.
•  Minimum of 1 year of previous Lead experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• As a Co-Practitioner, assist with implementation, verification, and validation of SQF program.
• Cover food safety and quality responsibilities in the absence of the Quality Assurance Manager.
• Coordinate Quality Assurance Department scheduling to assure adequate coverage.
• Oversees line checks being performed by QC technicians.
• Conducts line checks (including USDA Room) as needed.
• Monitor daily operations as assigned to ensure compliance to established procedures, customer specifications and/or Work Order instructions.
• Perform incoming goods, in process and finished product inspections per approved procedures.
• Identify and report unusual quality conditions to Quality Department management employees for correction.
• Initiate Hold Reports for non-conforming goods, out-of-specification processes, in process failures, etc.
• Perform and/or verify equipment calibration per established procedures and frequencies as directed.
• Ensure adherence to company employee safety, food safety and GMP policies.
• Conduct daily GMP inspections in production and warehouse areas.
• Inspect machinery to ensure proper clean-up has occurred when needed.
• Assist in managing retain sample inventory.
• Assists QA Supervisor as needed.
• Monitoring CCPs.
• Ensure prevention of below standard raw materials are contained and removed from available inventory.
• Responsible of reporting Quality Concerns for non-conforming raw materials, packaging.
• Ensure all raw materials meet regulatory and internal requirements for food safety and quality.
• Manage and review COA/COC for incoming goods as needed.
• Participate in Mock and Customer requested Trace Recall Drills as necessary.
• Perform additional duties as requested by the Quality Assurance Manager/Supervisor.
• Organize and participate in GMP Inspections and monthly Internal Facility Audits.
• Submits organic Individual Product Profiles (IPP’s) to organic certifier to maintain current System Plan Summary (SPS).
• Prepares QC related investigation summary in preparation for Aged Inventory meetings.
• Works with Purchasing, Inventory Control, and Warehouse personnel to ensure DMR follow-up is occurring.
• Investigates any Discrepant Material Review issues which are not resolved in a timely manner.
• Performs incoming raw material evaluation and related documentation.
• Ensures proper records are maintained verifying allergen clean-ups have taken place.
• Ensures all finished product specifications are current and communicating the information to the QC techs.
• Performs other duties as assigned that improve the efficiency of the above processes and procedures.
• Maintains the QC Office in an organized and professional manner.

Desired Qualifications

•  Bi-lingual (English and Spanish a plus). 
• Working knowledge of Word in a label making capacity. 
• Ability and willingness to follow Standard Operating Procedures. 
• Ability to receive written and verbal directions. 
• Ability to understand general work processes. 
• Basic computer skills including proficiency in MS Office Products (Outlook, Word and Excel).  
• Good communication skills.  
• Detail oriented, excellent record keeping and documentation skills.  
• Responsible, reliable and attention to timelines.  
• Familiarity and understanding of Critical Control Points (CCP’s), SOP’s and Quality Standards.  
• Familiarity with ingredients, processes and finished product disposition.  
•  Understand and follow all GMP’s.

Physical Requirements/ Environment

• QA Lead will be exposed to a standard production environment.
• Stand for long periods of time and take frequent walks.
• Lifting of product cases is required to access code date information. Sample collection also requires technicians to combine products into a basket and transport them back to the Quality Control office.
• Ability to lift up to 40lbs.
• Ability to work in refrigerated environment.

To view more opportunities, please visit: Latitude 36 Foods Job Opportunities

Latitude 36 Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we take great pride in our diverse and talented workforce.  We are looking for diversity in candidates for employment.  We recognize that our continued success depends largely on the collective strengths of our associates.