Quality Assurance Lead

Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary/Objective

Coordinates the company’s third-party audits, ensuring that the sites meet all criteria required by third party certifications, including but not limited to GFSI 3rd-party audits for the Processing Plant. Coordinates the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) program for all farm locations owned and operated by Riverence Farms LLC and Riverence Provisions LLC. Supports outside contractors with understanding and complying to the ASC program. Must be familiar with all as-pects of HAACP. 

Essential Functions

• Coordinate and send out non-routines to all departments, ensuring all are completed.
• Coordinate ASC program to assure the company complies and maintains programs which includes preparing and communicating audit plans.
• Assist audits through the evaluation of operations/processes, the review of documents and records, and interviews of employees for compliance.
• Communicates and educates all departments and outside contractors and supports third pa-rty audits. 
• Routinely assists with traceability audits.
• Responsible to respond to all CRA’s if deficiencies are noted on any audits.
• Assist with creation and maintain Product Information Sheets (PIS) for all finished items.
• Develop proficiency in quality assurance audits and become knowledgeable of HACCP.
• Ability to write and train on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Q.A., Technicians, Production Operations and ensure SOPs are followed.
• Track implementation of corrective actions and verify actions for effectiveness.
• Support management on tracking audit activities and administration of audit schedule.
• Support external audits including interfacing with regulatory agencies and registrars if nec-essary.
• Identifies discrepancies, risks, and other problems, then reports findings to QA Manage-ment; recommends appropriate corrective measures.
• Promotes and educates benefits of adopted control measures; encourages responsible par-ties to adopt changes necessary to correct problems and noncompliance.
• Supports projects and initiatives to achieve Quality Systems objectives and any other regu-latory objectives (e.g., QSR training, Quality Systems initiatives, etc.). 
• Supports certifications that are customer driven at all locations.
• Public speaking in front of small and/or large groups.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Requirements

• Must have basic knowledge of food manufacturing processes and the ability to work to-wards in-depth understanding of the companies processes and products.
• A strong background in food manufacturing is desirable to enable the individual to evaluate internal systems and compliance. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of Quality Systems Regulations, preferred familiarity with ASC requirements and guidelines, GFSI 3rd-Party certifications and processes, and ability to quickly develop a thorough understanding of internal policies and procedures.
• Must be reliable and capable of working with minimal supervision and coordinating audit planning and execution and follow-up activities.
• Basic experience or knowledge on issue resolution disciplines (e.g., problem solv-ing/decision making, root cause analysis, etc.).
• Highly compliance oriented to firmly adhere to the principles of the regulations and stand-ards.

Education/Experience Requirements

• Experience in a food or manufacturing related specialty is preferred. 
• 1 year of experience in a Quality role, with audit experience preferred.
• Experience with HACCP, and able to become HACCP certified through USDC.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office applications or equivalent required.
• GFSI 3rd-Party audit certification experience preferred.

Travel

• Local travel between company sites within a radius of 50 miles, as needed.

Competencies

1. Excellent documentation skills, and attention to detail.
2. Strong communication and interpersonal abilities.
3. Willingness to continually learn.
4. Ability to work independently and as part of team. 

Supervisory Responsibility

This position coordinates with various departments and leadership team within the Company. Re-ports to the Manager of QA.

Work Environment

This job will primarily be in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. The job also involves visits to the various Company locations on an as needed basis that are outdoors or inside processing plants or other commercial and agricultural buildings, which may have weather conditions, temperature changes, wet environments, and loud noises.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The ability to lift and carry 25 pounds. Site visits include working in inclement weather (heat, cold, humidity).

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position working at the processing plant office in Buhl, ID. Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activ-ities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.