Quality Assurance Supervisor

California Dairies • Pixley, CA

5d

About The Position

The Quality Assurance Supervisor supports and maintains the company’s quality systems and helps enforce SQF, QA, GMP, safety, food safety, food security, and biosecurity policies and procedures. The role supports production needs, maintains the HACCP program and prerequisite programs, and assists with customer complaint investigations and responses. Food Safety and Quality are responsibilities of this position.

The supervisor oversees butter and powder hold-and-release programs, ensures timely product releases, and assumes product hold-and-release duties when the Product Control Specialist is absent. The role assists the Quality Assurance Manager with microbiology-result reviews, contamination investigations, plant-document and inspection reviews, equipment and audit inspections, calibration oversight, sanitation and CIP record reviews, Appendix N administration, and daily inspections of product codes and package appearance. The supervisor performs the Quality Assurance Manager’s duties during vacation or leave and assists in other plant areas when necessary.

The role also provides team leadership by communicating goals, delegating work, coaching and supporting team members, recognizing accomplishments, and encouraging process improvements. The position requires regular full-time attendance, the ability to work flexible hours and weekends, and compliance with safety and working rules.

Requirements

• A BS degree in Dairy or Food Science or another related field, plus four years of experience in a leadership role; or an equivalent combination of education and experience in five of the last ten years.
• English proficiency for written and spoken communication.
• College-level verbal and written communication skills.
• Good organizational and communication skills, including the ability to train employees using PowerPoint presentations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Publisher, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Advanced computational skills and good mathematical reasoning.
• Excellent organizational and follow-through skills, with the ability to self-direct work to timely completion.
• Good judgment in carrying out assigned duties and willingness to ask for assistance when processes are unclear.
• Ability and willingness to work safely and follow safety procedures, including using safety equipment.
• Ability to work flexible hours and weekends.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a California State Pasteurizers License and California State Sampler's and Weigher's License.
• Ability to meet the position's physical demands, including standing or walking for about 75% of the workday, walking on uneven surfaces, occasional lifting of at least 40 pounds, and climbing and balancing during plant inspections.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of Microsoft Visio.
• Knowledge of languages other than English.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the butter and powder hold-and-release program for Tipton, Visalia, Fresno, and Turlock South, ensuring releases occur in a timely manner.
• Take over product hold-and-release duties when the Product Control Specialist is absent.
• Assist the Quality Assurance Manager with daily review of microbiology test results and further investigation of high counts.
• Inspect known or likely contamination trouble points with production management.
• Review plant documents and inspections to ensure procedures are followed.
• Assist with dryer inspections during downtime and verify that forms are complete and critical parameters are addressed.
• Assist with pre-audit inspections and pre-startup inspections for major equipment.
• Maintain plant audit forms and binders, including glass, plastic, brittle-material, ceramic, and pest-control inspection records.
• Oversee daily equipment calibrations, including thermometer calibration schedules and annual recalibration of NIST-certified thermometers.
• Assist with master sanitation programs and review CIP records daily; investigate and report cleaning problems or deficiencies.
• Generate a Preventative Measure when needed and consult with plant management on implementation.
• Assist the Quality Assurance Manager with administration of the Appendix N program.
• Assist with daily inspection of codes and finished-package appearance for butter and powder.
• Perform Quality Assurance Manager duties during vacation or leave.
• Support and enforce SQF, QA, GMP, safety policies and procedures, and production needs.
• Lead, guide, and support team members through clear communication, task delegation, feedback, coaching, recognition, and advocacy.
• Assist in quality assurance and other plant areas when necessary, and perform other duties as assigned.
• Maintain regular full-time attendance and follow safety and working rules.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior