Quality Assurance Lead

Reports To:              Supervisor, FSQA                                                                       Department:        Quality Assurance

Location:                  Fairfield/West Chester, Ohio                                                 Position Type:     Full Time 

Classification:          Non-Exempt /Hourly                                                              Shift:                     2nd Shift

                                                                                                                                          Schedule:             Monday – Friday 3:30 PM – 3:00 AM (OT and Weekends, as required)

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 

•  Minimum formal education:  High School Diploma.
• 1 year of Food Safety and Quality Assurance experience or 2 years of high-speed production experience. 

 Preferred Qualifications 

• Bi-lingual (English and Spanish a plus). 
• Basic computer skills including proficiency in MS Office Products (Outlook, Word and Excel).  
• Familiarity and understanding of Critical Control Points (CCP’s), SOP’s and Quality Standards.    

  Responsibilities 

•  As a Co-Practitioner, assists with implementation, verification, and validation of SQF program.
•  Cover food safety and quality responsibilities in the absence of the Quality Assurance Supervisor.
•  Oversees line checks being performed by QC technicians.
•  Conducts line checks (including USDA Room) as needed.
•  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.
•  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.

 Physical Requirements 

• Ability to lift, push, pulling up to 50 pounds.
• Frequent standing walking, bending, twisting, lifting, climbing stairs.
• Ability to work in a cold environment.

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.