Job Title: Quality Assurance Team Leader

Purpose & Scope:

Reports directly to the plant FSQA Team Director and has primary responsibility oversees all aspects of a food manufacturing in-house lab and oversees quality and food safety aspects of our production of mochi. This position is responsible for the supervision of six lab technicians that work over 3 shifts. The QA Lab Manager will lead and ensure training proficiencies and adherence to company policies and procedures while interacting with the production team daily.

Primary Job Functions:

- Organizes and coordinates the activities of the Food Safety and Quality Assurance lab Technicians to meet and exceed quality and food safety goals. Ensure the QA lab Technician department is properly staffed, trained and proficient in all activities.

- Creates Non-Conformance and implements corrective actions. Conducts root cause investigation of plant Food Safety and Quality Assurance issues. Ensures process improvement projects and tasks are completed.

- Advocates new quality policies and procedures to FSQA team and Production to ensure high quality products.

- Provides microbiological results from in-house testing lab for raw materials and finished goods release. Responsible for ensuring products tested meet Bubbies quality standards, and federal regulations and guidelines.

- Manages environmental monitoring plan and program. Responsible for scheduling testing of raw materials for chemical composition (including economically motivated adulteration) and microbiological levels, Including allergen testing. Verifies cleaning chemical concentrations.

- Manages 3rd party lab communication and coordinates with QA Team Director and outside labs for pathogenic microbiological testing verification if needed.

- Assists Quality Team in implementation of all policies and procedures to obtain audit certifications. Assists QA team with food fraud vulnerability assessments and mitigation plan.

- Assure new partner staff training, and on the job training of employees in GMP, allergen and sanitation compliance. Documentation of training and communicating any issues with the Plant Manager.

- Assures completion of internal audits on GMPs’ safety, sanitation, food defense and quality systems. Works with management team to verify corrective actions are implemented for audit deficiencies.

- Assures all customer quality programs meet or exceed the customer requirements

- Maintains labels logs and product disposal records, assures quality, production and forms are completed and reviewed.

- Assists VP Food Safety and Quality with food fraud vulnerability assessments and implements food fraud mitigation plan.

- Orders and maintains lab material inventory

- In the event the Quality Team Director is absent,, the QA Manager will help take over responsibilities.

Working Conditions:

- Food Production setting

- Slippery Floors, extreme temperatures, loud noises

- High level of interaction with other departments and partners

Qualifications:

1. Laboratory experience and skills

2. Must have 3-5 years QA Management experience in the food industry

3. PCQ, HACCP certified, Food Defense Training and GFSI/SQF knowledge strongly preferred

4. Prefer a minimum of 2-year college degree in sciences – food science, chemistry, qualitative analysis, or microbiology.

5. Oral and written communication skills

6. Computer skills, Word, Excel and Power Point, Red Zone experience a plus

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Night shift
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Phoenix, AZ 85009: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person