What are the responsibilities and job description for the Quality Assurance Specialist position at Post Consumer Brands?
Business Unit Overview:
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Headquartered in Lakeville, Minn., Post Consumer Brands, a business unit of Post Holdings, Inc., is dedicated to providing people and their pets with delicious food choices for every taste and budget. The company’s portfolio includes beloved brands such as Honey Bunches of Oats®, PEBBLES®, Grape-Nuts® and Malt-O-Meal® cereal, and Peter Pan® peanut butter, as well as Rachael Ray® Nutrish®, Kibbles ‘n Bits® and 9Lives® dog and cat food. As a company committed to high standards of quality and to our values, we are driven by one idea: To make lives better by making delicious food accessible for all. For more information about our brands, visit www.postconsumerbrands.com and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest news.
Brand:
Post Consumer Brands recently acquired several iconic pet food brands, venturing into a new market while remaining true to our purpose to provide delicious and accessible food that our consumers love. We’re always searching the center store for the next exciting product to add to our portfolio, and right now, we’re growing and need passionate, driven individuals with diverse perspectives to help us reach greater heights. That’s where you come in. Join a team where your voice is not only heard but valued. Make a real impact on brands enjoyed by millions of people and their pets.
Location Description:
The Meadville, Pennsylvania facility is 135,000 square feet and home to about 290 hard working team members who are proud to produce iconic pet food brands like Rachael Ray® Nutrish®. Located along the banks of French Creek in Northwestern Pennsylvania and 45 minutes from Pittsburgh, Meadville is home to more than 13,000 full time residents and 2,000 Allegheny College students. Meadville is an active center for business, industry, education, the arts, recreation, service and tourism. Conneaut Lake, Pymatuning State Park and the Erie National Wildlife Refuge are wonderful places to appreciate the area's natural beauty.
Responsibilities:
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES and ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Quality Assurance Lead is responsible for supporting verification for key projects as well as to support the manufacturing process through the auditing of products, process, and production facilities. Assistants with maintaining the environmental program and assuring company standards, policies, and protocols are maintained and product integrity is preserved.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Ensure a safe work environment for the QA team by demonstrating and enforcing safe behavior
- Assist in developing, implementing, and maintaining QA related programs, such as Food Safety, SOPs, and GMPs
- Support facility commissioning process through implementing, and documentation.
- Review documentation and records for accuracy and completeness
- Monitor inspections and testing methods for product to ensure adherence to specifications and testing methodology
- Inform Associate QA Manager, QA Manager, and/or production personnel of any non-conformances
- Investigate non-conformances by leading root cause analyses in collaboration with operations teams
- Ensure all personnel effectively perform testing requirements and properly record findings
- Place finished product and raw material on hold
- Ensure SOPs and lab practices are followed and current
- Monitor critical equipment and instrumentation
- Maintain calibration and bias of laboratory and operations quality monitoring equipment
- Ensure proficiency testing is scheduled and completed
- Order supplies for equipment and testing
- Maintain EnviroMap and environmental collections
- Evaluate environmental data for trends and actions
- Investigate out of specification environmental results
- Log and complete environmental CAPA’s
- Coordinate QA cleaning & maintenance activities and inspections
- Record corrective/preventive actions and investigate non-compliant environmental results
- Ensure adherence to the site's Food Safety Plan
- Assist in team coverage and supporting QA needs
- Assume responsibility for own personal development and continuous learning
- Act with a sense of urgency and support resolution of problems
- Proactively adapt to continually evolving environment, policies, and requirements
Other Skills
- Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to use Microsoft Office Suite
- Sense of urgency to escalate issues when needed and the ability to take initiative
- Attention to detail and proficient communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects
- Able to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Able to accommodate a flexible work schedule
- Ability to create a positive work environment
- Willing to work weekends where plant needs require
- Familiarity with GMPs, good documentation practices, and good laboratory practices
- Comfort with heights/climbing ladders
- Comfort maneuvering in tight spaces
- Strong organizational, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
- Self-motivated and can work independently with minimal direct supervision
- Ability to make decisions under pressure
QUALIFICATIONS
(Knowledge and skills necessary to meet organizational objectives)
Education/Training:
- A Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science, or related field is preferred
Experience:
- At least 2 years of relevant field experience is preferred
- Prior experience operating analytical/chemical instrumentation is preferred
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
(Necessary to perform essential functions of job with or without an accommodation)
- Climb ladders and bins
- Maneuver in tight spaces
- Move items of 55-80 lbs. in weight from one place to another
- Stack repetitiously 60 lbs. or less
- Able to differentiate between colors
- Able to work in extreme temperature conditions (very hot or very cold)
- Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time
