Quality Assurance & Compliance Specialist

Dairy Farmers of America•Joplin, MO

About The Position

The Quality Assurance & Compliance Specialist supports the Quality Assurance department through administrative and operational functions involving interdepartmental quality communications, quality systems, document control, pest control, internal auditing, and special projects. The role contributes to continuous improvement of existing Quality Systems and works with operations employees and managers to support their needs. The specialist oversees the Document Control Program, ensures annual document reviews, and reviews documentation against food safety standards and customer requirements, including HACCP, SQF, and FDA requirements. The role develops and maintains internal auditing processes, follows up on non-conformances, supports investigations and corrective actions, and helps develop and enforce food safety and quality programs and regulatory requirements. It also supports training materials, HACCP plan updates, environmental monitoring, sanitation, audit preparation, and Integrated Pest Management. The position tracks and trends quality data and non-conformances for management, supports continuous improvement activities, and assists with specifications and other special projects. The employee is expected to follow company policies and procedures, promote safe and sanitary working conditions, maintain a positive team-oriented attitude, and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Five years of lead or supervisory experience in quality control.
Leadership role in a previous position.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Technical writing skills.
Ability to interact professionally with supervisors and management.
Strong troubleshooting skills.
Detailed and focused approach to supporting decision-making.
HACCP certification or extensive knowledge of the HACCP system.

Nice To Haves

Scientific or analytical background.
Knowledge of SQF or other GFSI certifications.

Responsibilities

Support interdepartmental communications about product quality with functions including R&D, warehouses, customer service, customers, management, and employees.
Oversee the Document Control Program and ensure documents are reviewed annually.
Review documentation to meet HACCP, SQF, FDA, and customer food safety requirements.
Develop and maintain an internal auditing system and issue and follow up on non-conformances through resolution.
Assist with preparing, tracking, and trending data for the management team.
Develop and enforce established food safety and quality programs and regulatory requirements.
Collaborate with plant managers and supervisors to monitor the effectiveness of food safety and quality programs.
Identify gaps in the Quality System and prioritize continuous improvement activities.
Support complaint investigations, CAPA, change control, audit follow-up, and corrective actions.
Assist in creating policies, procedures, and forms to meet customer and regulatory requirements.
Formalize training materials for new and existing programs.
Review and update HACCP plans when regulatory requirements or customer expectations change.
Assist with tracking and managing corrective actions resulting from hold disposition.
Support the Environmental Monitoring Program and Sanitation Program as needed.
Assist with root cause investigations, follow-up activities, and corrections.
Support FDA, SQF, AIB, regulatory, customer, and Identity Preserved audits, including documentation retrieval and program dialogue.
Oversee the Integrated Pest Management Program.
Assist with reporting KPI data and track and trend non-conformances for management.
Work on special projects, including packaging and raw material specifications.
Seek to improve training in skills required for the position.
Adhere to company policies, procedures, and rules.
Create and maintain a safe, clean, and sanitary working environment.
Maintain a positive, team-oriented attitude and work interdepartmentally with operations employees and managers.
Perform other work duties as assigned.