- Oversee and monitor Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) through daily audits. Develop, revise, and review SOPs, qualification/validation protocols, and reports.
- Ensure the completion of daily records by the production management and team, including but not limited to:
Pre-operation checks
Cooking and cooling logs
Packing logs
Thawing logs
Cooler and freezer temperature logs (twice daily)
Receiving logs
GMP logs
Chemical concentration logs
Product recipes
End-of-shift cleaning logs
- Perform thermometer calibration and document calibrated thermometers (IR and digital) and ensure annual calibration of certified thermometers.
- Report team efforts and findings to upper management.
- Define testing standards and strategies to ensure the product meets industry and company standards.
- Monitor the receiving process for all produce (fresh, frozen, and dry) to confirm receipt at the required temperature, documenting this in the receiving log and invoice.
- Work with the production team to ensure daily cleanliness of the facility and its environs by conducting daily checks of food production and storage areas.
- Assist in facilitating daily operations and activities in the commissary, ensuring food safety measures are met.
- Contribute to achieving QC and operational objectives through strategic planning.
- Identify and resolve quality and related problems.
- Coach QA employees to follow company procedures.
- Serve as the primary liaison between the plant and regulators (USDA, FDA, auditors, etc.).
- Design quality programs to enhance plant safety compliance.
- Serve as the Food Safety Team Leader and manage the HACCP Plan, Prerequisite Programs, Food Safety FSMA Plan, Food Defense Plan, Food Fraud Plan, Crisis Management, and Recall Plans.
- Ensure records and reports are prepared and distributed as required.
- Verify the accuracy of labels used daily.
- Conduct training sessions for management and employees.
- Verify logged/recorded temperature checks of areas and products.
- Review and verify all documents on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to ensure logs are completed, retrieved, and filed.
- Conduct regular internal and external quality control audits to ensure compliance with established standards and procedures.
- Identify and investigate quality control issues and recommend solutions to improve the quality of products and processes. Conduct investigations regarding out-of-specification results and manage deviations. Lead continuous improvement initiatives.
- Collaborate closely with the production, engineering, and R&D teams to integrate quality control considerations into design, development, and production processes.
- Request yearly vendor documentation (letter of guarantee, certificate of liability/insurance, and a copy of their most recent third-party audit).
Qualifications & Skills:
- Ability to stand for a full shift.
- Excellent communication skills and teamwork.
- Experience working and communicating cross-functionally.
- Great attention to detail.
- HACCP Certified.
- 3+ years of experience in a QC or QA role.
- Experience in food manufacturing.
- Knowledge of cGMP or PPE standards.
- Demonstrated attention to detail, thoroughness, and capability to handle complex situations.