Quality Assurance Lead- A Shift (3:45am-4pm)

Position Summary:

The QA Lead is responsible for leading and coordinating Quality Assurance programs and activities to ensure food safety, product quality, and regulatory compliance throughout the facility. This position supports the implementation and continuous improvement of Calbee's food safety and quality systems by partnering with Production, R&D, Sanitation, and Operations. The QA Lead provides leadership to the Quality team, supports the Quality Manager with investigations, audits, customer complaints, employee training, and document control, and serves as the department lead in the Quality Manager's absence.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead daily Quality Assurance activities to ensure food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements are consistently met.
Coordinate quality programs, procedures, and documentation to ensure compliance with company, customer, and regulatory standards.
Serve as the Qualified Individual (QI) or Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) in the absence of the Quality Manager.
Provide backup support for Quality Assurance and Quality Control Technicians as needed.
Coordinate internal audits, validation, verification, environmental monitoring, and self-inspection programs while ensuring corrective actions are completed and documented.
Support investigations involving consumer complaints, product holds, raw material issues, food safety incidents, and internal or external audit findings.
Develop, implement, and deliver training programs related to GMPs, HACCP, SQF, food safety, quality systems, and standard operating procedures.
Train, coach, and audit Quality Technicians to ensure consistent execution of quality standards across all shifts.
Coordinate Quality Laboratory activities, including equipment calibration, testing methods, laboratory maintenance, and verification of testing accuracy.
Manage controlled quality documentation by creating, revising, distributing, maintaining, and archiving electronic and hard-copy records.
Conduct routine inspections of raw materials and verify inspection activities to comply with established specifications.
Provide technical support and guidance to Production, Operations, Sanitation, and Research & Development to resolve quality concerns and improve manufacturing processes.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance food safety, product quality, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
Maintain required food safety certifications and remain current on applicable regulations, industry standards, and best practices.
Comply with applicable SQF requirements, food safety policies, quality standards, GMPs, and company procedures relevant to their position.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment while promoting compliance with all food safety, quality, GMP, and workplace safety requirements.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

Associate's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Quality Assurance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
Minimum of 3-5 years of Quality Assurance experience in a food manufacturing environment.
Working knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, SQF, Preventive Controls, and applicable food safety regulations.
PCQI certification or the ability to obtain certification within a designated timeframe; certification preferred.
Experience conducting internal audits, investigations, root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions.
Experience supporting SQF, BRCGS, or other GFSI certification audits preferred.
Demonstrated leadership experience, including training, coaching, and providing day-to-day direction to employees.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills preferred.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the production facility.
Frequently bend, reach, stoop, kneel, climb, and perform repetitive movements.
Occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 30 pounds.
Ability to work in a manufacturing environment while wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE).

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