Team Lead Quality Assurance

The Hershey Company•Plymouth, IN

35d•Onsite

About The Position

The Team Lead FSQA supports Food Safety and Quality Assurance for The Hershey Company’s pretzel operation in Plymouth, Indiana. The role connects QA and Manufacturing to help ensure product safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement in a high-speed, complex production environment. The Team Lead leads QA Technicians on an assigned shift and partners with Operations, R&D, Supply Chain, and regulatory teams. The position involves hands-on plant and laboratory activities, using data and quality systems to troubleshoot issues, manage risks, and improve processes.

Requirements

At least 3 years of relevant experience in Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Manufacturing Quality, or a related technical or manufacturing environment.
Experience leading or influencing teams, troubleshooting quality issues, conducting audits, and supporting compliance programs.
Bachelor’s or Associate degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent related experience.
Working knowledge of food industry regulations, GMP, HACCP, PEP, sanitation, pest control, and GFSI standards.
Strong attention to detail, documentation discipline, auditing and assessment capability, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to communicate effectively, influence without direct reporting authority, and support a fast-paced production environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint, and quality or production systems such as SAP and RedZone.
Ability to work flexible hours and perform hands-on plant and laboratory activities, including sampling, testing, stair and platform access, and occasional lifting of test equipment or product cases.

Nice To Haves

SQF Practitioner qualification.
HACCP certification.
PCQI qualification.
Lean or Six Sigma experience.
Working knowledge of SPC.
Experience with ERP implementation or integration of quality processes.

Responsibilities

Lead QA Technicians on the designated shift, managing standard work, supporting daily execution, and reinforcing food quality and safety expectations.
Provide QA guidance to production, including troubleshooting, training, audits, and incident management to meet company and regulatory requirements.
Plan and execute sampling, analytical, microbiological, environmental monitoring, and retained sample programs; document results and escalate out-of-tolerance findings.
Coordinate QA verification activities, including sampling plans, specification checks, sensory programs, sanitation verification, hygiene audits, allergen control validation, and HACCP/PEP system checks.
Investigate quality and food safety incidents, analyze data and trends, identify root causes, and coordinate corrective and preventive actions with cross-functional partners.
Use RedZone, SAP, LIMS, QIMS, Line Production Reporting, and CONC reporting to isolate issues, monitor trends, and support continuous improvement.
Prepare reports and dashboards on quality, food safety, laboratory, and operational risks, and share insights and recommended actions with leaders and partners.