Quality Assurance Supervisor

Dairy Farmers of America•Mechanicsburg, PA

About The Position

The Quality Assurance Supervisor provides work direction and supervision to quality assurance and laboratory employees who verify that DFA products are produced and distributed to high food safety and quality standards. The supervisor monitors quality activities to ensure employees follow departmental policies, procedures, and regulatory standards. In conjunction with the quality manager, this role helps build and maintain an effective facility culture of food safety and quality and serves as a resource and escalation point for direct reports. The supervisor coaches, mentors, and develops team members on an ongoing basis. The role supports the development, implementation, and maintenance of facility food safety and quality programs; reviews quality records; develops and implements procedures; supports testing, laboratory procurement, pathogen environmental monitoring, audits, certifications, investigations, and continuous improvement. It also supervises hourly employees, supports quality data analysis and process control, and performs personnel and administrative supervisory activities. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with occasional weekends as needed.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in food science, biological sciences, or a related curriculum, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
2 to 5 years of quality assurance, manufacturing, or related experience; food, beverage, or similar facility experience preferred.
Demonstrated leadership attributes or team leadership experience; supervisor experience preferred.
Knowledge of laboratory and plant current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs).
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems.
Knowledge of supervision, training, and personnel management principles and practices.
Leadership and coaching skills.
Ability to complete basic arithmetic as needed.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to collaborate effectively and foster teamwork.
Ability to identify appropriate steps to solve problems and present options and ideas for current processes or procedures.
Ability to handle challenging or conflict situations with tact and professionalism.
Ability to respond courteously and efficiently to inquiries, complaints, and requests.
Ability to interpret and apply company policies.
Ability to adapt to and manage change effectively.
Ability to take initiative and seek increased responsibilities.
Must be able to read, write, and speak English.

Nice To Haves

PCQI, HACCP, and SQF Practitioner certifications are preferred; they may be required during employment.
Supervisor experience is preferred.
Experience in a food, beverage, or similar facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide work direction and supervision to quality assurance and laboratory employees.
Monitor quality activities and ensure employees follow departmental policies, procedures, and regulatory standards.
Help the quality manager build and maintain a facility culture of food safety and quality; serve as a resource and escalation point for direct reports.
Coach, mentor, train, and provide performance development opportunities to team members.
Assist the quality manager in developing, implementing, and maintaining facility food safety and quality programs that meet regulatory requirements, corporate standards, and customer expectations.
Review required quality records, including laboratory documentation, CCP, PC, and other documentation.
Write, review, and implement quality assurance procedures; recommend modifications or upgrades to testing procedures or equipment.
Coordinate procurement of items required for the laboratory.
Assist the quality manager and partner with operations on the pathogen environmental monitoring program, including oversight of swabbing, investigations and corrective actions, and mitigation activities.
Provide employees with training, instruction, and guidance on food safety, quality, and compliance.
Initiate and drive continuous improvement activities and partner with facility functions to resolve persistent challenges and implement new procedures or processes.
Support customer, regulatory, and third-party food safety and quality audits.
Investigate quality issues and customer complaints, identify solutions, and implement remedies.
Support and maintain certifications such as SQF, Kosher, Halal, and Organic.
Supervise hourly employees to meet or exceed quality assurance and organizational standards and specifications.
Ensure employees are informed in a timely manner about process, product, or infrastructure changes.
Identify and retain effective personnel through selection, training, and clear expectations.
Promote effective business communication so key stakeholders are informed and able to respond appropriately.
Foster a positive and effective work culture with direct reports.
Develop and implement material standards and appropriate control and inspection procedures to improve product quality and reduce rework and downtime.
Monitor inspection and testing procedures and results to ensure finished product is food safe and meets customer expectations.
Support quality data analysis and use statistical process control tools to identify and respond to unfavorable trends.
Administer employee promotions and transfers; review and edit timekeeping; complete performance evaluations; and mentor, train, and coach employees.
Follow DFA good manufacturing practices and corporate regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.