JOB SUMMARY:   

Supervises the day-to-day activities of QA Technicians to ensure operations and compliance with GSF, customer, and regulatory agency standards for food and packaging quality and safety and enhance product development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Quality Management – The position will constantly review and manage the quality performance of Quality Technicians. Review and enhance suppliers’ programs to ensure quality, food safety and consistency for all products produced.  May be asked to arrange and/or conduct facility audits, product mock recovery, administer non-conformance products, and participate in operations testing of new and/or modified products.  Assist Product Development in specification development, enhancement and revisions.  Constantly fill in and perform all the responsibilities of the Quality Assurance Manager in the absence of the incumbent.  {65%}
2. Technical Support – Provide technical support to Product Development and Operations in conducting process capabilities, Quality Assurance standards, quality procedures, food safety, and food security requirements. Participate on cross-functional teams as Quality Assurance liaison.  {25%}
3. Quality Enhancements of Ingredients/Packaging – Support and provide needed assistance in the implementation of comprehensive ingredients and packaging materials receiving, evaluation and tracking programs. {10%}

LEADERSHIP/MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

• Day-to-day interaction with QA Managers to discuss quality strategies for the facility. Also discuss product performance and direction for improvement on Quality Systems.
• Provide QA Technicians with direction, training and support for implementation of various quality initiatives in the facility.
• Assist Product Development in their Product improvement and new product roll out initiatives.
• Serve Operations Director, Managers, and Supervisors as technical resource in troubleshooting and resolving product quality and process-related issues.
• Assist Compounders & Lead People in printing and adjusting batch card; assist in analytical test training of Compounders and other hourly employees, and helping them in other technical problems.

PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES

• Managing multiple projects and priorities while maintaining quality standards of products and programs.
• Troubleshooting quality issues during production using customer concern information, product audit data, operations input, and production data.
•  Maintaining good professional interaction with Suppliers and Customers on frequent basis.
• Working under a timeline that can be very tight.
• Maintaining appropriate sense of urgency in resolving quality issues and concerns.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Education and experience equivalent to:

Education/Certification:

BS Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry or other Technical disciplines.  Additional Management or Technical education preferred.  Computer literacy a definite plus.

Experience:

5 - 8 years in Quality Assurance or related Technical discipline (in a Senior Technician or management capacity) in the Food Industry.  3 – 5 years in QA and/or Manufacturing in a supervisory capacity preferred.

Training/Other:

Knowledge of Sanitation GMP, HACCP, SSOP, SPC, and Food processing.  Sanitarian Certification,       Knowledge of ISO 9000, and Project Management preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge:

• Responsible for Quality management of Golden State Foods’  programs in the food processing groups.

• Responsible for the successful execution of quality improvements on existing and new products in the facility.

• Monitor product and process quality through audits, HACCP, Analytical testing, Mock Recovery, product cuttings and other quality initiatives.

• Provide needed technical support to Product Development, Operations and other functional groups in the development of new ingredients, specifications enhancements, and quality and operations procedures.

• Manage the scheduling, training, performance evaluation, and discipline of a group of Quality Technicians who are responsible for implementing quality initiatives.

• Maintain a dedicated focus on International products quality.

• Maintain adequate interactions with Suppliers and Customers to better respond to their needs.

• Manages projects aimed at cost savings, quality enhancements, process improvements, and reduction of Customer concerns.

Skills and Abilities:

• Good communication skills (both written and oral).
• Be a good listener with problem-solving ability.
• Interface with individuals of varying levels both internally and externally.
• Demonstrate good organizational and time management skills.
• Understand the “larger picture” and use broader perspective of the business in making decisions; providing options as part of decisions and next steps. 
• Take initiatives and be self-motivated; looking for opportunities to improve the operations and product quality.
• Use systematic methods to collect facts and make decisions.
• Act in accordance with GSF’s Values and Creed.