Quality Assurance Supervisor

Job Summary

The Quality Assurance Supervisor will be responsible to support and maintain the company Quality Systems programs, support and enforce the SQF, QA, GMP, and Safety policies and procedures including production needs, support and assist in maintaining the HACCP program and its pre-requisite programs, support and maintain the Food Safety/Food Security/Biosecurity programs, and aid in customer complaint investigations and response.

Essential Functions

• Oversee the butter (Tipton, Visalia, Fresno, Turlock South) and powder hold and release program.
  • • • • Ensure that product releases are done in a timely manner.
        • Take over the hold and release of products in the absence of the Product Control Specialist.
      • Assist the Quality Assurance Manager with the following duties:
  • Aid in the review of microbiology test results daily and further investigate high counts. Physically inspect known or likely trouble points of potential contamination with production management.
  • Aid in the review of plant documents and inspections to ensure all procedures are being followed:
    • Aid in the inspection of dryers during down time, and ensure forms are properly filled out and all the critical parameters are addressed.
    • Aid in the pre-inspections leading towards audits to ensure no infractions are found during the walk through.
    • Aid in new pre-start up inspections for all major equipment.
  • Aid in the maintenance of all plant audit related forms and binders to ensure everything is properly filled out, such as:
    • Daily/Monthly glass, plastic brittle and ceramics inspections.
    • Daily/Weekly/Monthly/Quarterly pest control inspections.

• Oversee daily equipment calibrations.
• Understanding of SOPs- Micro, chemical, and procedures.
• Ensure technicians calibrate load out and receiving thermometers daily.
• Ensure technicians calibrate all other thermometers weekly.
• Ensure NIST certified thermometers are re-calibrated annually.
• Aid in the master sanitation programs to ensure high compliance rate at the end of the month.
• Oversee the review of CIP records daily - investigate and report any cleaning problems or deficiencies.
• Generate a Preventative Measure if needed and consult with plant management for implementation approach.

• Assist QA Manager with the Appendix N program administration.
• Aid in the inspection of codes for both finish powder and butter (Tipton, Visalia, Fresno, Turlock South) daily.
• Aid in the inspection finish package appearance daily for both butter (Tipton, Visalia, Fresno, Turlock South) and powder.
• Will be responsible for all Quality Assurance Manager tasks during vacation or leave.
• Excellent regular full-time attendance in support of company objectives.
• Follow all safety and working rules.
• Must have the ability to get along with co-workers, management personnel, customers, vendors, and employees in accordance with the company policies and working rules while ensuring a harmonious and conducive work environment.
• Maintain a positive attitude and contribute towards a quality environment.
• Use initiative and judgment in making decisions, keeping with California Dairies Inc. best interests.
• Assist in quality assurance and any other areas of the plant when necessary.

• Support and enforce SQF / QA, GMP, Safety policies and procedures, and production needs.  “Food Safety and Quality” are the responsibilities of this position.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Lead:

• Clearly communicate the company's vision & goals and how the team's work contributes to them.
• Set a positive example through their own work ethic, attitude, and commitment to quality.
• Develop and empower team members by delegating tasks effectively and providing opportunities for growth and development.

Guide:

• Provide clear instructions and expectations, along with the “why”, for tasks and projects.
• Offer regular feedback and coaching to help team members improve their skills and performance.
• Foster a sense of teamwork and shared purpose, emphasizing that the team is stronger together.

Support:

• Recognize and celebrate team accomplishments and individual contributions.
• Advocate for the team's needs and concerns, up, down, and across the organization.
• Encourage and support the team to challenge the status quo, to identify and suggest process improvements, and to embrace innovation.

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Must work in a safe manner and follow all safety procedures including use of safety equipment.
• Must be willing to ask for assistance when the process is unclear.
• Must have good organizational and communication skills.
• Must be able to provide training to employees through Power Point presentations.
• Must be able to work flexible hours and weekends.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Outlook, Publisher, Word, Excel, and Power Point programs. Microsoft Visio is a plus.
• College level verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced computational skills required. 
• Good math reasoning required.
• Excellent organizational and follow through skills.
• Ability to self-direct work to a timely completion.
• Must demonstrate good judgement when carrying out duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience

• A BS degree in Dairy or Food Science or other related field and four years of experience in a leadership role; or an equivalent combination of education and experience are required in five (5) out of the last ten (10) years.

Language Skills

English is required as the written and spoken language. Other languages are a definite asset.  A well-modulated tonal volume is required with excellent diction skills needed.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Must possess or be able to obtain California State Pasteurizers License and California State Sampler's and Weigher's License.

Driving Requirements: N/A

Equipment

1. CEM SMART System 5
2. Charm Science Rosa Reader
3. Charm Science EZ Reader
4. Charm II by Charm Sciences
5. Advanced Cryoscope
6. Perten Instruments
7. FOSS FT 1
8. FOSS FT 2
9. FOSS DS3
10. FOSS Process Scan
11. FOSS Pro-Foss
12. WAL Analyzer
13. Coders, Metal Detectors, Etc.
14. Mettler Toledo Karl Fischer-V20
15. Computer
16. Thermometers
17. Scales
18. pH Meters
19. Incubators
20. Titrations

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause undue hardship if such an accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Employees will be subject to temperatures associated with an air-cooled room. Temperatures range from 34 to 120 degrees. 

ADA/FEHA

The Company will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.

EEO

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Physical Demands

The physical requirements outlined here represent those necessary for successful performance of this position's core responsibilities. Upon request, the company will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these fundamental job duties, provided such accommodations do not create an undue burden on the organization.

• Sitting/Standing/Walking: The supervisor spends about 75% of the workday standing or walking. They sit while entering data or using the computer. The supervisor walks on uneven gravel, dirt, concrete, and tile surfaces.
• Lifting/Carrying: Occasional lifting requirements as job demands. Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 lbs. on an occasional basis.
• Pushing/Pulling: Occasional pushing or pulling requirements.
• Bending/Stooping: Occasional bending and stooping requirements.
• Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling: Occasional kneeling or crawling requirements.
• Twisting/Turning: Ongoing twisting or turning requirements.           
• Climbing/Balancing: Climbing and balancing is required during plant inspections, and other related job requirements.
• Reaching: Ongoing reaching requirements associated with job requirements.
• Grasping/Manipulating: Grasping and manipulating of papers, objects, and equipment will be required. The ability to use a keyboard for data input will be required on an ongoing basis.