QUALITY ASSURANCE SUPERVISOR

The Regenerative Agriculture Alliance was created in 2018 to build a regenerative, equitable, and socially just agriculture sector. We are focused on scaling up a systems-level regenerative poultry solution that restores ecological balance, produces nourishing food, and puts money back into the hands of farmers and food chain workers. To do this requires building a supply chain from the ground up, that integrates grassroots organizing of farmers with physical infrastructure and other regenerative enterprises.

Position Summary: 

The Quality Assurance Supervisor ensures food safety and product quality meet the plant standards, USDA and other regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. The QA Supervisor provides organizational leadership as a member of the Management Team; develops and implements quality assurance policies and procedures; and acts as a liaison with USDA and regulatory agents and inspectors. The QA Supervisor is accountable for the performance of the quality department personnel.

Along with their production supervisor and plant manager, this position is responsible for overseeing the coordination of all line production activities by performing the following duties.

Shared Duties and Responsibilities: include the following, other duties may be assigned.

●     Manage daily operations of USDA inspected poultry processing facility, including regular communication with USDA inspector

●     Train and supervise plant workers and production.

●     Lead daily team meetings with staff to communicate key items related to the operation

●     Development, implementation and validation of the Company’s food safety management system and quality manual including GMP, HACCP, SSOP and USDA.

●     Department supervision including developing and mentoring a strong quality team; planning, assigning, and directing work; training and appraising employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

●     Organizing and managing all internal and external quality audits.

●     Developing prerequisite programs, e.g. sanitation, pest control, recalls and training.

●     Act as first point of contact for all food safety issues, as well as the liaison with governmental and regulatory agents and inspectors.

●     Implementation of recall plans.

●     Promote a healthy, hygienic and safe work environment.

●     Develop reports for management, customers, USDA, etc. as needed.

●     Ensure effective food safety and food quality training for plant team members and quality assurance staff.

Lead Responsibilities

●     Serve as the Quality Assurance Monitor at the current start up stage of the plant.

●     Manage all facility operational plans, and ensure daily recordkeeping is completed adequately to fulfill HACCP and SSOP plans and requirements.

●     Manage updates to HACCP and SSOP plans in accordance with the growth and development of the processing facility

●     Lead training processes to ensure worker competency and that HACCP, SSOP plans are carried out effectively on a daily basis, to improve skill sets of the staff to optimize the results of the team efforts and to reduce employee turnover.

●     Support the plant manager with quality control planning, training and integrating internal control processes such as the SQF certification process, A Greener World certification, etc.

●     Support annual MOSA Organic certification.

●     Oversee the collection and shipment of lab testing related to food safety of products, communicate with the laboratory on any necessary follow-up.

●     Monitor freezer inventory.

●     Ensure correct customer labels for products are made.

●     Ensure correct cuts and packaging of meat are filled.

●     Ensure packaged meat is appropriately labeled, boxed and stored in freezer.

●     Ensure customer orders are filled correctly.

●     Assist in scheduling delivering.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university in food science, ag-business or related discipline; and/or five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Prior experience in USDA meat processing facilities preferred. 

Language Ability:

Read, analyze and interpret business, professional, technical or governmental documents. Write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, customers and the public. Bilingual Spanish-English language skills preferred.

Mathematical Ability:

Calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference and volume. Apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Computer Skills:

Microsoft Office Products, basic networks troubleshooting or capacity to interface with technical service providers, internet and basic computer set-up and management for desktops and portable computers, VistaTrac.

Certificates and Licenses:

Previous HACCP certification strongly preferred, or willing to complete training course provided by the facility and SQF Certified.

Commercial driver license preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Perform supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable local, state and federal laws. Responsibilities include supporting the plant manager interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; assessing performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following.

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Communication - Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally; expresses ideas and thoughts in written form; exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods.

Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; makes self-available to staff; provides regular performance feedback; develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth.

Visionary Leadership - Displays passion and optimism; inspires respect and trust; mobilizes others to fulfill the organization’s vision; provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates.

Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes timely decisions.

Travel: Minimal, occasional travel for off site meetings and conferences 

Benefits: Competitive health, dental, vision plan options. Relocation assistance is available.

To apply for this position, please submit your current resume and answer the following three questions by email to delicia@regenagalliance.org

1.    Share your experience of working with food processing facilities.

2.    Stacyville Poultry Processing is a small USDA poultry processor located in Northern Iowa. Our focus is on building Regenerative Supply Chains and supporting small and mid-sized farmers through processing quality services. Why are you interested in this role.

3.    How do you address challenges in the workplace? What is your approach to creating solutions? Please give an example.

Regenerative Food Processing is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.