Quality Assurance Supervisor APPLY NOW

Position Overview:

The Quality Assurance Supervisor oversees the activities of Quality Assurance Technicians, directing quality assurance efforts on the factory floor. They maintain a close relationship with production and the Quality team to identify, resolve, and prevent quality issues. This key role within the Quality Team provides expertise and support to the Operations department and factory management. It fosters a cross-departmental focus on quality and compliance to ensure the production of safe, high-quality products in a cost-effective manner.

Responsibilities - 

Direct Reports Management:

• Manage and oversee Hold and complaint management programs, including trend analysis.
• Oversee the EMP program and conduct trend analysis.
• Perform Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA).
• Handle all other supervisory activities, such as labor budget management, performance evaluations, hiring, discipline, coaching, training and development, and termination recommendations.

Operational & Systematic tasks:

• Coordinate with production to monitor processes and procedures, ensuring products are manufactured in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices, Food Safety Practices, and customer specifications.
• Ensure the execution and effectiveness of key QA technicians’ tasks, such as sampling and assessing production samples to meet internal and customer-specific food safety and quality standards. Propose improvement plans when gaps or opportunities for improvement are identified.
• Ensure customer and internal records are reviewed and submitted promptly. Report deficiencies and missing data and create corrective actions.
• Collaborate with other Quality sub-teams to manage the release of finished products after proper record review.
• Administer the product hold, rework, return, and recall programs.
• Utilize data analysis and develop metrics to provide visibility into current status and historical data for the upper management team. Collaborate with other Quality Team members or cross-functional team members to produce and distribute reports analyzing food safety and quality compliance trends, efficiency improvements, and cost-saving opportunities. Report routinely to management on unacceptable QA or Food Safety results or improvement recommendations.
• Prepare reports documenting testing activities, test results, and operational issues involving product quality and safety, and present them to factory, Plant Management, and Corporate.
• Facilitate transitions between shifts, ensuring seamless handoffs and effective communication of key information to peers, team members, and Production Management.
• Communicate effectively with the department, factory, Plant Management, and Corporate. Act as a liaison between management and quality staff to support corporate and plant-driven initiatives.
• Utilize the 5 Whys Root Cause Analysis process to investigate consumer and customer complaints and quality-related issues. Develop, present, and monitor corrective actions for effectiveness, and generate trending reports.
• Ensure an active GMP and internal quality audit program in compliance with Quality policies and the latest edition of the SQF Level 3 code.
• Review, verify, and update HACCP/HARPC plans and SOPs as needed; lead the training of associates at all levels on quality programs as directed.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities and recommending changes within your area of responsibility to improve Quality metrics and KPIs in the factory.
• Assist in the development and operation of the QM Pillar and associated team activities.
• Support factory traceability exercises.
• Support all regulatory, third-party, and customer audits and inspections as directed.
• Manage relationships with internal and external customers, suppliers, colleagues, and support services to ensure the achievement of departmental and company-wide targets.
• Support training programs for all plant individuals on food safety and quality-related topics.
• Assist with special projects and generate summaries of project performance.
• Develop shift reports for QA technicians to provide visibility into daily QC check pass rates.
• Serve as a backup for the QA Manager and perform QA Manager duties and responsibilities in their absence.
• Act as the SQF Practitioner.

Attendance: 

• Regular physical attendance during designated work hours is an essential function of this position.
• Attendance during the 3rd shift and weekends (due to activities such as Monthly Town Hall Meetings, Plant Trials, customer visits, and any other plant emergencies) is required.
• The ability to provide over-the-phone support during off-shift hours is also essential.

Requirement's

• Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
•  Ability to analyze processes for biological, chemical, and physical hazards, with a thorough understanding of science and support behind each type of hazard and each step within a production process.
• Capable of working with cross-functional departments within the organization.
• Good problem-solving and corrective action/resolution skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and internet usage.
• Great attention to detail and exceptional multitasking abilities.
• Knowledge of Food Defense, Food Safety/GMPs, and other QA programs.
• Must be able to taste all foods without aversions or allergies.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

 Education and/or Experience:

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university.
• 2-3 years of experience in Quality Assurance or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

 Food Safety & Quality Requirements/Responsibilities:

• Adhere to all Food Safety/Quality SOPs.
• Accurately complete required Food Safety & Quality records.
• Communicate any known or suspected Food Safety/Quality issues to the QA Manager and Department Manager.
• Attend all Food Safety/Quality training sessions.
• Be part of the SQF core team, attend SQF meetings, and participate in the development, implementation, review, and maintenance of the SQF System.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands and work environment described below represent those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Physical Demands:  

• Regularly involves talking or listening, sitting, and using hands and fingers.
• Frequently involves going up and down stairs.
• Often involves reaching with hands and arms, standing, and walking.
• Occasionally it involves crouching, stooping, kneeling, and/or climbing or balancing.
• Must be able to lift and carry items weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Manual dexterity is sufficient to reach and handle items, work with fingers, and perceive attributes of objects and materials.
• Involves moderate physical activity, performing non-strenuous daily tasks of a primarily administrative nature.
• Should be able to identify and distinguish colors, see clearly at 20 inches or closer and 20 feet or more, observe an area up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a point, judge distances and spatial relationships, and adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus.

Work Environment:  

• May be exposed to moderate noise levels (e.g., office equipment, light traffic).
• May be exposed to moderate to high noise levels (e.g., production equipment, forklifts, heavy traffic).
• May be exposed to humidity, intense heat and cold, outdoor weather conditions, and fumes or toxic chemicals.
• May work in areas with mechanical moving parts, at heights with a risk of falling, or in areas with a risk of electrical shock.
• Work is typically performed in a warehouse/production environment. As part of the job requirements, the employee may occasionally work in a production setting and be exposed to cold temperatures (as low as -20 degrees).
• Must be flexible with a work schedule that supports a 24-hour production facility, including weekends.

Disclaimer

Must perform the essential duties and responsibilities efficiently and accurately, with or without reasonable accommodation, without posing a significant safety threat to self or others. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel in this classification.