QA Specialist - 3rd Shfit

Job Location: Hazleton, PA

** PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A 3rd SHIFT POSITION **

Summary:

In this Union plant, the QA specialist serves as a liaison between quality assurance (QA) and manufacturing, producing products such as Cadbury, Milk Bars, Almond Bars, Extra Dark Bars, Caramel Bars, Candy-Coated Eggs, and Kit Kat in a high-speed complex environment under moderate guidance.

In this role, the QA Specialist supports the manufacturing operations and is the sole QA representative on shift. QA responsibilities include ensuring compliance with all company and regulatory policies/procedures pertaining to product safety/quality. This may include environmental duties. This position serves as a technical resource for Manufacturing and Engineering, providing leadership and guidance in weight control, packaging, incident investigation and resolution, troubleshooting, and other related matters.

This position provides QA support to assigned Business Units. The QA Specialist must have a sound working knowledge of Hershey’s quality systems requirements. Some laboratory duties are required.

In addition, the QA Specialist:

• Compliance: Facilitates production activities to meet quality/safety specifications and regulatory standards by providing training, auditing, troubleshooting, and incident management.
• Training: Assists in educating and training the workforce on food quality and safety issues. Conducts training specifically for plant employees and regularly follows up with employees to ensure that they understand the requirements of their jobs.
• Auditing: Conducts audits per Product Excellence Program (PEP)/ Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) / Environmental compliance procedures. Review CCP paperwork for compliance.
• Incident Management: Investigates and analyzes incidents to identify product/quality safety information trends. Initiates corrective actions and communicates findings as appropriate. Uses various computer support systems (ex., SAP product tracking, Line Production Reporting (LPR), Quality Incident Management System (QUIMS), etc.) to help isolate/solve problems.
• Sampling / Instrumentation Program: Responsible for the Sampling program. This includes micro samples, pesticide samples, Cadbury quality review samples, Cadbury direct send samples, Kit Kat verification samples, Environmental swab samples, retained samples, and maintaining the retained library. Responsible for sample collection, input into the Lab Information Management System (LIMS), where applicable, and reporting out-of-tolerance results. Prepares dosing sets and tracks and maintains proper inventories of essences. Coordinates in-house chocolate collaborative program and supports instrumentation calibration program.
• HACCP: Conducts regular internal audits on all HACCP and PEP systems, documents and reports findings, and follows up on non-conformances. Conducts monthly sanitation area audits and audits of other prerequisite systems as appropriate
• Continuous Improvement / Project / New Product Support: Implements continuous improvement through utilization of PEP program elements such as Master Control Plans, Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP), HACCP, CCP, Weight Control, and Consumer Complaint Reduction. Leads improvement teams and prepares reports as necessary. Under moderate supervision, acts as QA representative on multi-functional project teams, business units, or non-routine assignments. May support new product efforts from initial test runs to full-scale production to ensure the integrity of systems.

Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge of federal and state food industry regulations.
• Understanding of sanitation and pest control practices
• Familiarity with GFSI standards
• Strong computer and document management skills and attention to detail
• Ability to effectively communicate in verbal and written form
• Ability to work flexible hours
• Dexterity required for handling and performing tests accurately. Ability to record data as needed.
• Ability to climb ladders to work platforms and stairs to other work areas. Lifting moderately heavy items such as test equipment and product cases may be required.
• Strong problem-solving/troubleshooting skills
• Solid understanding of a production/manufacturing environment
• Strong auditing/assessment skills
• Strong leadership skills and ability to influence management, enabling the direction of activities of teams of employees that do not have direct reporting to this role.
• Proficiency in computer programs/software such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, SAP (Recipe Management), Net Weight, and QA Trends
• Working knowledge of regulatory and quality system requirements – PEP, HACCP, Good Manufacturing Process (GMP), etc.

Minimum Requirements and Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, OR a related field is strongly preferred
• A minimum of 1 year of experience in a Food or Beverage Manufacturing environment is required
• 0-2 years related experience

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The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans

If you require a reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact the HR Service Center (askhr@hersheys.com).