Supervisor 1, Quality Assurance

Agri-Mark/Cabot Creamery•West Springfield, MA

10h•$70,000 - $85,000

About The Position

The QA Supervisor is responsible for providing principled leadership and support for Company growth and improvements, cultivating a positive and innovative work environment and promoting quality and food safety. The QA Supervisor will also support employees to ensure standard operating procedures, safety, GMPs/SQF, food safety and quality programs are followed. This role will have direct responsibility for all facets of Laboratory safety, testing, quality initiatives and will author, maintain and update all policies and procedures for compliance to records management. All duties will be performed with safety in mind as a priority. The QA Supervisor will manage a work environment that is a 24/7 operation with changeable product flows and manage high quality standards using varying technologies. Additional hours over 40 are required, participation in weekend and holiday rotations as needed. The job holder will be responsible for coverage of the QA Manager responsibilities during operating times and replacement of the QA Manager during absence. Team members enjoy access to a comprehensive benefits package, competitive salary, vacation/sick time and retirement plans which include 401k match. This position offers a Starting Pay Range of $70,000-$85,000/yr.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science or equivalent in a scientific field. A combination of training and experience will be accepted as an alternative.
Minimum 2 years in a supervisory position.
Minimum 2-5 years' experience in the food industry preferred.
Interpersonal Skills – Respectfully address the personnel issues that arise, focus on delivering the best business decision, maintain confidentiality and has high emotional intelligence for self-awareness and recognizing the feelings of others.
Verbal Communication – Speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, listen and seek clarification, respond well to questions, demonstrate group presentation skills and participate in meetings.
Written Communication – Research and produce professional business communications in manual and electronic formats. Ability to read, manipulate and interpret data in all formats.
Computer Skills – Proficiency in office products such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Teamwork – Balance team and individual responsibilities, exhibit objectivity and openness to other’s views, give and welcome feedback, contribute to building a positive team spirit.
Business Acumen – Understand business implications of decisions.
Ethics – Treat people with respect, keep commitments, inspire the trust of others, work with integrity and ethically and uphold organizational values. Support ethical sourcing initiatives and act as a responsible steward of the environment.
Understanding of the role of the SQF Practitioner in ensuring that food safety decisions are made using a risk-based approach.
All food safety issues and incidents are to be reported to the QA Department either directly from the employee or by the Manager.
Successfully multitask, work independently and have demonstrated leadership experience and capabilities.
Chemical safety and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) instruction.

Nice To Haves

HACCP, PQCI, and SQF certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

Support Site Plant Food Safety Culture Initiatives through ongoing training and education.
Backup to the QA Manager for all customer and regulatory audits, including annual SQF audit and FDA, USDA and State inspections.
Maintain all laboratory certificates, SOPs, training programs and other programs as current.
Organize Lab’s portion of annual audit, training and documentation.
Review Lab testing, product results and coordinate necessary COAs for customers.
Support QA Manager to facilitate hold and release program.
Conduct food safety and quality training for all new hires for onboarding.
Manage the site’s FSQA training program and trend monthly status.
Maintain quality and SOP manual for the Lab.
Supervise Lab staff, which includes: (a) provide real-time feedback on worker performance and associated formal evaluations, (b) schedule work hours and shifts and manage employee timecards, (c) coordinate job rotation, training and cross-training, (d) identify and resolve performance issues such as tardiness or absenteeism, (e) adherence to Company policies, procedures and practices, including safety, GMPs and all policies of Agri-Mark.
Coach and lead workers and work teams to achieve performance, quality, cost and service goals.
Ensure employee ability to perform their required duties safely and efficiently.
Maintain staff by recruiting, interviewing, selecting, orienting and training employees and developing personal growth opportunities.
Report and fill scheduling vacancies due to call-ins or equipment breakdown.
Work closely with team members in an effort to improve quality key performance indicators and metrics.
Scheduling and adjustments to schedule to accommodate production schedule.
Thoroughly troubleshoot all problems and areas of concern.
Immediately and effectively communicate all problems and concerns with QA Manager.
Must perform all tasks using Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), following the Food Safety and Food Quality requirements of the SQF Program and enforce compliance with GMPs throughout the Lab and plant.
Comply with all Lab and Plant, State, Federal, OSHA, EPA, FDA, USDA, HACCP and SQF guidelines and regulations for food safety, quality and employee safety.
Maintain the quality of production and by holding product to Company, customer and governmental/regulation standards while taking the necessary action to correct and improve.
Occasional overnight travel for off-site meetings.
Occasional support for Enfield Distribution Center.
Coordinate USDA sampling with USDA grader and off-site warehouse.
Perform the duties of the Quality Manager in case of absence.
Perform all other duties, as assigned.