Quality Assurance Supervisor
About The Position
The Quality Assurance Supervisor supports and maintains company Quality Systems programs and helps enforce SQF, QA, GMP, safety, and production policies and procedures. The role supports the HACCP program and its prerequisite programs, maintains Food Safety, Food Security, and Biosecurity programs, and assists with customer complaint investigations and responses. The position oversees product hold and release activities for butter and powder across several California facilities, supports daily quality inspections, and assumes the Quality Assurance Manager’s tasks during that manager’s vacation or leave. The supervisor assists with microbiology result reviews, investigations of elevated counts, plant-document and inspection reviews, dryer and equipment inspections, audit preparation, calibration oversight, sanitation programs, CIP record reviews, and corrective or preventive measures. The role also supports Appendix N administration and daily inspections of product codes and finished-package appearance. The supervisor leads and develops team members through communication, delegation, feedback, coaching, recognition, advocacy, and support for process improvement and innovation. This is a regular full-time position at the Tipton facility. Employees work in temperatures ranging from 34 to 120 degrees and spend about 75% of the workday standing or walking, including on uneven gravel, dirt, concrete, and tile surfaces. Occasional lifting of at least 40 pounds is required, along with other physical activities such as pushing, pulling, bending, kneeling, crawling, climbing, balancing, reaching, and handling equipment and papers. The position requires flexible hours and weekend availability.
Requirements
- A BS degree in Dairy Science, Food Science, or another related field and four years of experience in a leadership role; alternatively, an equivalent combination of education and experience is required in five of the last ten years.
- Must work safely and follow safety procedures, including use of safety equipment.
- Must be willing to ask for assistance when a process is unclear.
- Good organizational and communication skills.
- College-level verbal and written communication skills; English is required for written and spoken communication.
- Ability to provide employee training through PowerPoint presentations.
- Must be able to work flexible hours and weekends.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Publisher, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Advanced computational skills and good mathematical reasoning.
- Excellent organization and follow-through skills, ability to self-direct work to timely completion, and good judgment when carrying out assigned duties.
- Must possess or be able to obtain a California State Pasteurizers License and California State Sampler's and Weigher's License.
- Ability to perform the described physical duties, including occasional lifting of at least 40 pounds, walking or standing for about 75% of the workday, and climbing and balancing during plant inspections.
Nice To Haves
- Proficiency with Microsoft Visio is a plus.
- Knowledge of other languages is an asset.
Responsibilities
- Oversee the butter and powder hold-and-release program for Tipton, Visalia, Fresno, and Turlock South, ensuring timely product releases and covering product-control duties when the Product Control Specialist is absent.
- Assist with daily review of microbiology test results, investigate high counts, and inspect likely contamination points with production management.
- Review plant documents and inspections to ensure procedures are followed.
- Assist with dryer inspections during downtime and verify forms and critical parameters are addressed.
- Assist with pre-audit inspections and new 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 and ensure technicians calibrate load-out and receiving thermometers daily, other thermometers weekly, and NIST-certified thermometers annually.
- Support master sanitation programs and review CIP records daily, investigating and reporting cleaning problems or deficiencies.
- Generate preventive measures when needed and consult plant management about implementation.
- Assist the Quality Assurance Manager with Appendix N program administration.
- Inspect product codes and finished-package appearance daily for powder and butter across the specified facilities.
- Perform Quality Assurance Manager tasks during the manager’s vacation or leave.
- Maintain excellent regular full-time attendance, follow safety and working rules, and support and enforce SQF, QA, GMP, safety, and production requirements.
- Assist in quality assurance and other plant areas as necessary, perform other duties as assigned, and contribute to a positive, harmonious quality environment.
- Lead, guide, and support team members by communicating goals, setting an example, delegating effectively, providing instructions and coaching, recognizing accomplishments, advocating for team needs, and encouraging process improvements and innovation.
- Provide employee training through PowerPoint presentations.
- Use initiative and judgment in making decisions in the company’s best interests and self-direct work to timely completion.
Benefits
- Competitive pay and incentive programs.
- Medical insurance.
- Dental insurance.
- Vision insurance.
- Paid time off.
- Sick days.
- Holidays.
- Retirement plans.
- Programs supporting personal well-being and professional growth.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
