Quality Supervisor

Refresco Careers•Maryland Heights, MO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Supervisor oversees day-to-day quality operations, including implementation and monitoring of quality and sanitation systems to support company objectives and regulatory compliance. Reporting to the Manager Quality, this role supervises Quality employees and leads the development, implementation, maintenance, and continual improvement of the facility’s food safety and quality management systems, including the SQF System. The position requires practical knowledge of laboratory testing, product specifications, food safety and quality metrics, process adjustments, and quality data systems. The supervisor communicates quality objectives and procedures across departments, supports material approval and disposition, maintains laboratory equipment and records, tracks departmental KPIs, and takes action on food safety or quality concerns. The role also serves as backup to the Quality Manager. Work takes place in a fast-paced production plant with moving equipment, potentially hot or cold temperatures, and noise requiring hearing protection. Weekday, weekend, afternoon, evening, overnight, and holiday work may be required. Initial training is on first shift, followed by an anticipated transition to a split shift covering early third- or early second-shift hours. Travel is anticipated rarely.

Requirements

Working knowledge of Excel, Word, and SAP.
Experience using measurement tools and equipment such as HPLC, densitometers, and pH meters.
Prior inspection experience in a laboratory setting.
Ability to apply statistical methods to analyze data and identify trends.
High precision and accuracy in inspection and testing processes.
Strong written and verbal communication, analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable to change.
Practical understanding of how quality data is obtained; proficiency with laboratory testing methods and product standards and specifications.
Understanding of basic chemistry, laboratory equipment, root-cause analysis, and food safety and quality metrics and limits.
Proficiency with in-process batch adjustments.
Ability to work in a fast-paced production plant and meet deadlines, production quotas, and accuracy demands.
Ability to work weekdays, weekends, afternoons, evenings, overnight shifts, and holidays as required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, or a related discipline, or equivalent related experience.
Three or more years of supervisory experience in quality within a high-speed beverage manufacturing environment.
Knowledge of GFSI, GMP, FDA, and other relevant standards and regulations.
Knowledge of quality systems such as GMP, HACCP, and SQF; certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with health and safety policies, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), personal protective equipment requirements, and applicable food quality and food safety standards.
Oversee day-to-day quality operations and direct the work of Quality employees, including direct supervision and some authority over hiring, performance, and disciplinary decisions.
Develop, implement, maintain, and continually improve the facility’s SQF System and food safety and quality management systems.
Support compliance with third-party food safety and quality certifications and applicable AIB, SQF, state, city, federal, Kosher, gluten-free, and customer requirements.
Track departmental KPIs and manage daily requirements against budgetary deliverables.
Use SAP Quality Module functions, including posting process orders, accessing Finished Goods reports and preventive maintenance records, entering completed maintenance records, accessing negative inventory, and performing mock recalls.
Communicate site quality objectives, policies, and procedures across functional departments and maintain accountability.
Use laboratory data collection programs to track, analyze, and trend data; enter products; update specifications; and manage product limits, held product, employee benchmarks, and certificates of analysis.
Maintain laboratory equipment, schedule preventive maintenance and calibration, and order and stock laboratory and sanitation supplies and consumables.
Assist with approval, release, or rejection of raw materials, finished goods, and in-process materials.
Make in-process batch adjustments and apply technical judgment using laboratory testing methods, product standards, and specifications.
Train and develop employees, demonstrate leadership, and promote consistent quality of work and productivity improvements.
Audit and maintain records needed for compliance.
Take action when notified of or made aware of food safety or food quality issues.
Develop strategies to support a safe work environment, accident reduction, and energy and waste minimization.
Serve as backup to the Quality Manager.