Sr. Quality Associate - 1st Shift - La Tiara - Kansas City, MO

General Mills, Inc.•Gladstone, MO

56d•$64,800 - $89,300•Onsite

About The Position

We are excited to welcome the La Tiara taco shell and seasoning brand to the General Mills family! We believe La Tiara will serve as another competitive Mexican offering alongside Old El Paso. We've seen significant customer demand with this brand, which provides a meaningful opportunity to grow our Mexican Business (NAR Accelerator) while also driving competitiveness in the category. La Tiara will operate within the NAR Mexican BU. The Gladstone Sr. Quality Associate is a critical leadership role responsible for the overall success of their assigned shift at our facility. As a salaried member of the team, you will serve as a point of contact and decision-maker, exercising a high degree of autonomy to ensure food safety and quality. This role combines rigorous food safety and quality assurance and shift leadership to drive efficient and safe production. You will be a key partner in establishing a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement from the ground up. This position is for the 1st shift that reports from 7 AM - 3 PM and requires flexibility to adapt to evolving business needs, including potential adjustments to shift schedules and the need for overtime to support operational requirements.

Requirements

High School Diploma with significant direct experience in a manufacturing or technical environment; OR a 2-Year Technical Degree with relevant experience.
Demonstrated experience in a food processing (plant or pilot plant) environment.
Strong understanding of food safety principles, HACCP, and GMPs.
Proven critical thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose and autonomously resolve complex technical/mechanical issues.
Basic computer and technology proficiency, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead via influence and build strong relationships at all levels.
Ability to adapt to a dynamic work environment, manage shifting priorities, and navigate stressful situations with maturity.
Strong self-starter with a high regard for quality of work and a desire to learn new concepts quickly.
Ability to consistently lift, manipulate, and transport ingredients or equipment up to 55 lbs.

Nice To Haves

2-Year Degree in a Scientific Discipline or a 4-Year Degree in any discipline.
Previous experience in a leadership or lead technician role within a CPG, food manufacturing, or R&D environment.
Experience with plant management software such as SAP, Maximo, and statistical process control.
Experience with laboratory procedures, equipment calibration, and microbiological testing.
A strong passion for the food industry, continuous improvement, and driving results.
Proven ability to effectively manage multiple competing priorities and lead projects to completion.

Responsibilities

Act as the FSQ authority on shift, ensuring all activities comply with General Mills and the FDA.
Perform and document required quality, regulatory, and food safety checks with a high degree of accuracy.
Lead the on-shift Hold Order Process, including placing products on hold, completing necessary tasks, and verifying final disposition.
Conduct risk assessments for product quality and food safety events, making critical decisions to protect our products and brands.
Perform various inspections (allergen, pre-operational, sanitation, post-maintenance) and support validation activities for equipment like metal detectors and scanners.
Execute environmental and microbiological swabbing and shipping as required.
Champion a zero-loss safety culture on the floor, leading by example and holding others accountable for safe work practices.
Participate in food safety & quality incident investigations to identify root causes and implement effective corrective actions.
Ensure all plant policies, including GMPs, Allergen Control, and Foreign Material Control, are followed without exception.
Provide daily direction and leadership for the shift, ensuring a smooth handoff and clear communication with Sr. Quality Associates on other shifts.
Train and mentor other team members to build their technical and FSQ capabilities, fostering a knowledgeable and empowered workforce.
Work closely with plant leadership and other support functions to plan for upcoming trials, implement new capabilities, and drive continuous improvement.
Ability to influence up and across the organization