Quality Assurance Project Coordinator

SUGAR FOODS•Commerce, CA

23d•Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Assurance Project Coordinator will perform and manage necessary testing and review of labels on incoming raw materials, including ingredients and packaging. This role involves verifying and filing Certificates of Analysis and Certificates of Conformance, reporting and rectifying non-conforming findings, and maintaining the Hold/Release status of raw materials. The coordinator will manage the Defective Raw Material Reports program, which includes gathering information, entering it into a database, submitting it to suppliers, and following up on root causes, corrective actions, and credits. Additionally, this position coordinates with the Inventory team for returns or destruction of defective materials, and with Scheduling and Operations to collect and send monthly, quarterly, and daily samples for testing to external labs. The role also involves entering testing information into a laboratory testing database, releasing products based on results, collecting retest samples, and submitting results to relevant parties. A key responsibility is reviewing the shelf-life of seasonings, identifying those nearing expiration, and coordinating with Scheduling and Operations to utilize expiring spices. The coordinator will maintain, modify, and execute the Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP), including identifying sample locations, preparing swabs, collecting samples using aseptic techniques, maintaining results in the database, trending and mapping EMP results, and entering root cause and corrective actions. This role also involves identifying necessary re-swab locations, coordinating with Sanitation and Operations on failed areas, and training technicians on swabbing procedures. Maintaining and updating Infinity QS with product specifications and employee information, scheduling equipment calibration, updating the ATP unit and Sample Analysis systems, and creating Purchase Orders for sample submissions and QA/Sanitation purchases are also part of the duties. The coordinator will update, maintain, and organize quality documentation, assist with customer and third-party audits, conduct monthly quality trainings, and submit work orders for food safety and quality findings. Floor-related tasks, responding to email inquiries, assisting with special projects, and providing training/coaching to laboratory technicians and all employees on Food Safety and QA Programs are also expected. The role requires the ability to lift 25 lbs, walk up and down stairs, and work in varying temperatures. Bilingual (English/Spanish) is required.

Requirements

Bilingual (English/Spanish) is required.
Capable of lifting 25 lbs
walking up and down stairs
working in a hot and cold environment if necessary to perform duties.

Responsibilities

Perform/Manage necessary testing and review of labels on incoming raw materials – both ingredients and packaging.
Verify and file all Certificates of Analysis and Certificates of Conformance for incoming raw materials.
Report any non conforming findings and fixing if necessary.
Maintain Hold/Release status of raw materials.
Manage the Defective Raw Material Reports program – Gather information on the defective product, Enter the information into the DRMR database, Submit information to the suppliers, Follow-up with the suppliers to gather root cause and corrective actions along with credits for product destroyed or returned.
Coordinate with Inventory team to arrange for return of the defective raw materials or for their destruction.
Coordinate with Scheduling and Operations to collect and send Monthly and Quarterly Customer samples for testing.
Collect and send daily product samples that require micro testing to the outside lab.
Enter all testing information into the laboratory testing database for outside lab samples to submit to the outside lab.
Record all test results into the laboratory testing database.
Release products based on the laboratory results.
Collect retest samples and send to the outside lab as needed.
Submit results to parties requiring submission (i.e. GFCO and customers).
Review shelf-life of seasonings in inventory.
Identify seasonings approaching the end of the shelf-life and pull samples to send to the supplier for possible shelf-life extension.
Coordinate with Scheduling and Operations to utilize expiring spice.
Maintain, modify and execute the Environmental Monitoring Program.
Identify sample locations for the weekly swabs, Prepare and label the swabs as outlined in the EMP procedure, Collect the swabs from the identified locations following aseptic handling procedures.
Maintain results in the laboratory testing database.
Trend and Map EMP results.
Enter root cause and corrective action into QA Sample Analysis.
Identify any necessary re-swab locations.
Coordinate with Sanitation and Operations regarding areas that failed and necessary steps to remediate the situation.
Provide Sanitation and Operations with list of areas that require reswabbing.
Train technicians on swabbing procedures.
Maintain and update Infinity QS with new and retired product specifications, add new employee user information and support plant floor with any Infinity issues.
Maintain and schedule equipment calibration program for lab equipment and tools.
Schedule and send out equipment to be calibrated and/or arrange for company to come out and calibrate.
Update Plans/Locations for ATP unit if needed.
Upload new locations/sites/products for Sample Analysis system if needed.
Create Purchase Orders for sample submissions and other QA and Sanitation related purchases.
Update, maintain and organize quality documentation in files and documentation room.
Assist with Customer and Third-Party audits by providing and performing requested information in a timely manner.
Conduct monthly quality trainings via Alchemy and help answer and food safety and quality related questions.
Submitting work orders into E-maintenance if there are any food safety and quality related findings.
Assist with any floor related tasks such as returns, technician support, floor related questions, etc.
Respond to email inquiries directed to QA from customers, Sugar Foods personnel, vendors, etc.
Assist on special projects such as specification updates, new QA equipment implementation, etc.
Provide training/coaching to laboratory technicians as needed on Food Safety and QA Programs.
Provide training/coaching to all employees as needed on Food Safety and QA Programs.
Capable of lifting 25 lbs, walking up and down stairs, working in a hot and cold environment if necessary to perform duties.
Any other duties as required by Management.