QA Lead Hand

Johnvince Foods•Toronto, ON

8h•CA$21 - CA$25•Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Assurance Lead Hand is responsible for providing hands-on leadership and support to quality assurance initiatives across daily manufacturing operations, product development activities, and continuous improvement projects. This role plays a critical part in ensuring food safety, regulatory compliance, product quality, and adherence to customer and internal specifications throughout the manufacturing lifecycle. The Quality Assurance Lead Hand supports the QA team and production personnel by coordinating quality activities, monitoring production processes, conducting inspections and testing, supporting audits, and providing coaching and training on food safety and quality requirements. Success in this role is measured through effective execution of QA programs, accuracy of quality documentation, compliance with food safety standards, timely resolution of quality concerns, successful support of audits, and the ability to promote a strong culture of quality ownership across the facility.

Requirements

2+ years of experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Control, or Food Safety within a food manufacturing environment.
Strong understanding of food safety systems, GMPs, HACCP, allergen management, and regulatory compliance requirements.
Experience with quality inspections, production line audits, sampling procedures, laboratory testing, and documentation practices.
Ability to train, coach, and support production employees on food safety and quality expectations.
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to investigate issues and support root cause analysis.
Excellent attention to detail with strong organizational and documentation skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with Production, Quality Assurance, Maintenance, and other cross-functional teams.
Experience supporting customer complaints, audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Nice To Haves

Previous lead hand, senior technician, or team leadership experience preferred.
Food Science, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, or related education is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

Ensures all food safety programs, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and established quality procedures are followed throughout production operations.
Provides coaching, training, and guidance to production personnel on food safety requirements, quality standards, and company procedures.
Supports the QA team and production supervisors in addressing major quality issues and making timely decisions to protect product quality and food safety.
Assists QC Technicians with quality-related concerns and provides direction on product compliance issues.
Verifies QC records and ensures documentation is completed accurately, thoroughly, and in accordance with company requirements.
Trains new QC Technicians on processing and packaging lines, including food safety requirements, quality checks, sampling procedures, and documentation expectations.
Performs line audits and inspections to ensure production areas meet food safety, GMP, customer, and regulatory requirements.
Monitors processing and packaging lines to ensure products meet internal specifications, customer expectations, and regulatory requirements.
Reviews production and quality records to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for improvement.
Performs product sampling and ensures samples are collected according to established procedures.
Conducts laboratory testing, including aflatoxin testing, free fatty acid testing, and in-house Salmonella testing, as required.
Reviews laboratory results and communicates findings to appropriate stakeholders.
Provides annual classroom training related to allergens, food safety, HACCP, Safe Quality Food (SQF), and other applicable quality programs for production and warehouse employees.
Provides Critical Control Point (CCP) training and guidance to technicians and production operators.
Supports employee qualification processes, including first-level signoffs for required training and quality responsibilities.
Reinforces proper completion of quality and production records through coaching and follow-up.
Assists with internal, customer, and third-party audit preparation and execution.
Audits production lines using established quality scorecards to verify compliance with food safety and GMP requirements.
Supports investigations related to customer complaints, quality concerns, and product deviations.
Communicates inspection findings, identifies root causes, and supports corrective and preventive actions.
Reviews labels to ensure accuracy, including ingredient declarations, allergen statements, and regulatory compliance requirements.
Supports new product development initiatives, plant trials, and product improvement activities.
Assists with trial runs, product evaluations, and submission of samples to customers.
Prepares and maintains documentation related to manufacturing processes, quality requirements, and product specifications.
Supports cross-functional collaboration between Quality Assurance, Production, Research & Development, and other departments.
Ensures quality records, analytical records, and supporting documentation are completed accurately and maintained appropriately.
Supports continuous improvement initiatives related to food safety, quality, and operational performance.
Works safely and follows legislated and established safe work procedures and practices.
Other duties as assigned in adherence to the JVF GMP policies.