Produce Food Safety Quality Assurance Specialist

About Taylor Farms:

Taylor Farms is a leading manufacturer of salads and fresh foods in North America. With a team of nearly 12,000 employees, we are dedicated to producing high-quality products for families across the continent.

This role presents an exciting opportunity to join our Quality Assurance team as a Quality Assurance Supervisor in our New England facility in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

Purpose of Role:

The Quality Assurance Manager will be responsible for interpreting and implementing quality assurance and food safety standards to ensure compliance with regulatory bodies and internal policies. This includes performing internal auditing of processes, policies, and personnel to evaluate the effectiveness of quality assurance programs and support improvement initiatives.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Interpret and implement quality assurance standards to ensure quality and food safety.
2. Review quality assurance standards, study existing quality and food safety policies and procedures, and interview QA Technicians, Team Leaders, and Line Operatives to evaluate the effectiveness of quality assurance programs.
3. Work with the Quality Assurance Team to maintain all relevant certifications (e.g., SQF) and remain in good standing with relevant regulatory bodies (e.g., USDA, FDA).
4. Aid in maintaining the environmental monitoring program, ATP swabbing, and verification of sanitation practices.
5. Review and evaluate production records, applying quality assurance criteria.
6. Support pre-requisite programs within the facility, such as GMPs, sanitation, maintenance, pest control, supplier approval, food defense, chemical control, customer complaints, etc.
7. Complete root cause analyses and corrective action plans for issues identified within the facility.
8. Perform routine internal audits and inspections of facilities, processes, policies, and personnel.
9. Assist the QA Manager with personnel-related responsibilities by performing employee training, performance reviews, scheduling, disciplinary action (as required), and filling in as needed for absences.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of three years' experience working in a clinical/manufacturing environment, preferably within the food industry.
• Comprehensive knowledge of GMPs for the food industry.
• Prior Quality Assurance experience required.
• Proven leadership skills with the desire to improve cohesion amongst different departments throughout the facility.
• Good verbal and written communication skills, plus strong problem-solving and analytical capabilities.
• Experience in data analysis and trending.
• Willingness to work weekends.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook required.
• Self-motivation to follow through on daily assignments and responsibilities.
• Detail-oriented.
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• While not required, bi-lingual (English/Spanish preferred) preferred.
• HACCP and PCQI Certifications preferred.