Specialist Quality Assurance

The Hershey Company•Memphis, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

In this role the QA Specialist provides support to the manufacturing operations and depending on the shift may be the sole QA representative. QA responsibilities include ensuring compliance to all company and regulatory policies/procedures pertaining to product safety/quality. The position serves as the technical resource for manufacturing, maintenance and engineering. This role also provides leadership and guidance in the areas of sanitation, microbiology, regulatory compliance, weight control, packaging, quality standards and tolerances, incident investigation and resolution, troubleshooting and other related matters. This team member also provides support to employee training and product and process audits. The position provides QA support to the various Business Units across the plant. The QA Specialist must have a sound working knowledge of Hershey’s PEP programs.

Requirements

Excellent Organizational skills
Knowledge of federal and state food industry regulations.
Understanding of sanitation and pest control practices
Familiarity with Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards
Strong computer, document management skills and attention to detail
Ability to effectively communicate in verbal and written form
Ability to work flexible hours
Dexterity required for handling and performing tests in an accurate manner.
Ability to record data as needed
Strong problem solving/trouble shooting skills
Solid understanding of a production / manufacturing environment
Strong auditing / assessment skills
Strong leadership skills and ability to influence all management levels, enabling the direction of activities of teams of employees that do not have direct reporting in this role.
Proficiency in computer programs / software such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Access, Power Point, SAP (Recipe Management), Net Weight and Trackwise.
Working knowledge of regulatory and quality system requirements – Food Safety, Hershey’s PEP, HACCP, Good Manufacturing Process (GMP), etc.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred, Food Science, Microbiology, or related field or equivalent related experience.
1-5 years of related experience is preferred for Quality Specialist.

Responsibilities

Acts like a facilitator for production activities to meet quality/safety specifications and regulatory standards by providing training, auditing, troubleshooting and incident management.
Assists the Food Safety Compliance specialist in maintaining programs to achieve and maintain the Global Food Safety Initiative certification. Develop knowledge of the internal programs and manage the compliance to schedule.
The QA Specialist will assist in efforts to educate and train the workforce on food safety and food quality programs. Conducts training specifically for plant employees and regularly follows up with employees to ensure that they understand the requirements of their jobs.
Conducts audits in accordance with our Product Excellence Program (PEP), Food Safety Plans, Food Quality Plans, Environmental and Internal audit program.
Investigates and analyzes manufacturing errors or incidents to identify trends in product safety and quality. Initiates corrective actions and communicates findings as appropriate. Uses various computer support systems (ex. S4, Quality Incident Management System(QIMS), etc.).
Leads regular internal audits which include elements of HACCP and PEP systems, documents and reports findings and follows-up on non-conformances. The QA Specialist will conduct routine audits and inspections after cleaning or maintenance work. Reviews control point documentation, paper and/or electronic. Participate/lead verification and validation activities for PEP and Global Food Safety Initiative compliance. Supports Lean Manufacturing programs associated with the business unit, providing guidance on quality assurance principles
The QA Specialist will implement continuous improvement through utilization of PEP program elements such as Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP), HACCP, Allergen prevention plan, weight control, and consumer complaint reduction. Under moderate supervision, acts as QA representative on multi-functional project teams or non-routine assignments. May support new product efforts from initial test runs to full-scale production to assure the integrity of systems.
The QA specialist is a subject matter expert in one or more of the following areas: Packaging, Net Weight, Recipe Management, Processing, Pest Control, Sanitation compliance, Training, etc. The QA Specialist would be expected to provide plantwide leadership, project management, training, and coaching, in the specified areas of expertise.