Job Description

• Oversee quality assurance/quality control and sanitation departments, reporting to the Director of Operations.

• Collaborate with USDA, FDA and other government agencies to ensure all practices are complied. Actively keep self updated on these laws and regulations

• Develop and update internal processes and procedures including good manufacturing practice (GMP) systems, hazard analysis critical control points (HACCP) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure production is under a controlled risk

• Create well-rounded QA test strategies and tools to monitor food quality, constantly validate effectiveness and continuously improve quality assurance techniques and processes to meet current operational needs if needed

• Perform internal and external quality audits throughout the entire supply chain, i.e., internal routine audits, or vendor audits to ensure all processes, ingredients and final products are met standards

• Prepare 3rd party audits and QA documents required by customers, Costco, SQF, and foreign countries, etc

• Develop and update sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs) and manage the staff

• Properly manage laboratory appliances, prepare quality documentation and reports for management review, and maintain confidentiality of these items

• Support cross functional teams i.e., product development, production and maintenance teams. Work closely with R&D to develop critical control points and corresponding standards, with production and maintenance teams to decide feasibility on schedule and machineries

• Oversee different laboratory tests, swabbing programs and integrated pest management programs in alignment with USDA FSIS compliance guidelines

• Conduct research on export rules and regulations and keep them up to date. Act as the backup for Warehouse in terms of export approval for each shipment

• Keep self updated on any rules and regulations related to quality including labeling, exporting, weights & measurement, etc.

• Educate production team about the established processes and procedures to create a safe and free of hazardous work environment

• Oversee hiring, training, coaching, and disciplinary actions of department staff and/or contract staff

• Perform other duties assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, microbiology, chemistry, or related field

• 5 to 7 years in the quality assurance role, minimum 2-3 years proven track record of leadership in the food manufacturing industry. Previous ready-to-eat (RTE) and non ready-to-eat (RTE) experience preferred

• Must be familiar with USDA, FDA and other food manufacturing related laws and regulations if applicable

• The SQF practitioner is:
  i. Be employed by the site as a company employee on a full-time basis;
  ii. Hold a position of responsibility in relation to the management of the site's SQF System;
  iii. Have completed a HACCP training course;
  iv. Be competent to implement and maintain HACCP based food safety plans; and
  v. Understand the SQF Safety Code & Quality Code and the requirements to implement and maintain SQF System relevant to the site's scope of certification.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule depending on operational needs.

• Must be a team player with excellent interpersonal, organization and time management skills

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills along with computer skills. (MS Word and Excel)

• Must be able to motivate, coach, train, reward, and recognize employees

• Bilingual in Spanish preferred

• 5 days a week, fully onsite: Monday- Friday

• Pay range: $90,000- $100,000 plus bonus

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.