ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist in developing HACCP plans, SOP’s, SSOP’s and maintaining Food Safety Programs for 3rd party audits.
• Assist in monitoring of FSQA programs including but not limited to SQF, HACCP, Pest Control Program, GMP’s, Approved Supplier Program, Sanitation, Foreign Material Control and Food Defense.
• Utilize root-cause analysis skills to conduct investigations, create reports and follow up to support FSQA Customer Complaint investigative reports.
• Assist in the maintenance and updates of the Master Sanitation Schedule.
• Perform tasks including but not limited to ingredient and product sampling/testing, line monitoring, sanitation validation and environmental monitoring.
• Maintain database of relevant Quality documents to include but not limited to: Supplier Approval documentation, Laboratory Logs, Certificates of Analysis, Sanitation Logs, and Temperature Logs.
• Accurately interpret lab results, create graphs, and trend data as required.
• Conduct internal GMP Audits, assign corrective actions and follow up for timely closeout.
• Responsible for the development and maintenance of site SSOP’s. Support SOP development and improvement in areas of responsibility.
• Knowledgeable of all Quality Technician positions and tasks and offer guidance/ support for new or contingent technicians to ensure success of the team.
• Maintain, monitor and improve environmental program, sanitation, and sanitation verification/validation activities.
• Be a resource to production team members on food safety and quality issues.
• Facilitate sanitation and cleaning training for staff, including paperwork and recordkeeping.
• This is a key position within the Quality Dept. and will serve as backup for the Quality Supervisor.
• Other tasks as assigned by management.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:  Bachelor’s Degree in a Science related field (Biology, Chemistry, Food Science, Biochemistry, etc.)

Experience:  1-3 years in a related setting, in the food industry.

Certifications: HACCP Certified or ability to obtain certification within 30 days of employment.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Self-driven managing multiple concurrent projects, record keeping, planning skills, and time management.
• Computer skills and working knowledge of MS office- Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with experience writing Standard Operating Procedures in a manufacturing setting.
• Ability to multitask and adapt to an evolving environment.
• Must demonstrate independent and critical thinking abilities.
• Must be able to work and communicate effectively in a team environment.
• Must be able to work extended hours including overtime, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Occasional travel required.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drop off samples as needed.
• Bilingual skills a plus.

RELATIONSHIPS:

• This position reports directly to the QA Supervisor.
• The QA Tech II works closely with other team members.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

QA Tech must be able to lift 30-40 lbs with or without assistance.

The working environment is a clean, climate-controlled, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, but may require some outside maintenance as needed. May require working in cold room temperatures <40°F. Must be able to pass a drug screen as well as a criminal background check.

Exposure to manufacturing environments for periodic extended workdays including loud noise, excessive heat, cold, wet, and slippery conditions, food tasting and smells including all food allergens. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and depth perception. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, and stretch. This job requires the employee to be able to read, write and communicate verbally in English.

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• With minimal supervision, execute and manage technical timelines and activities for multiple product development projects as assigned across the organizations category sectors (salad dressings, marinades, coffee, & baked goods).
• Execute research and development testing plans/ projects in support of company objectives as directed.
• Support development projects all the way from conceptualization to commercialization – this includes cost and target within certain time constraints.
• Performs analysis using equipment such as pH meters, refractometers, water activity meters, viscometers, etc. and summarizes test results.
• Formulation of new products from benchtop to production scale for new products and product improvements.
• Conduct stability tests for all new products and packaging to confirm shelf life.
• Leads product development projects from conception to commercialization, including conceptualization and prototyping, experimental design, material identification, selection and sourcing, packaging, and labeling, and manufacturing processes in accordance with business objectives, customer demand, and regulatory requirements.
• Source and conduct testing of new raw materials from prospective vendors.
• Organize and facilitate needed sensory evaluations by conducting in-house taste panels. Utilize consumer insights to improve product formulation.
• Utilize Nutritional program to generate NFP labels in compliance with relevant market.
• Applies knowledge of food labeling, product claims, and food technology.
• Assists technicians to master essential skills/techniques.
• Provide technical support to Customer Service, Operations, Procurement and Quality.
• Serve as backup for Food Scientist and R&D Tech I.
• Perform other duties assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:  M.S./B.S. in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, or related field.

Experience: 1 – 3 years of food/beverage manufacturing, laboratory, R&D experience in FDA and/or USDA regulated facilities. Formulating and troubleshooting experience is required.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work in a team environment and independently in a flexible work environment with changing priorities.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills with a proven ability to move multiple projects forward in a constructive and positive manner.
• Highly efficient at planning and staying on tight timelines and planning projects accordingly.
• Must demonstrate independent and critical thinking ability, hands-on mentality/ qualities.
• Must be comfortable working with computers and have knowledge of MS office.
• Must be able to work and communicate effectively in a team environment.
• Must be able to work extended hours including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drop off samples as needed.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English and Spanish.

RELATIONSHIPS:

• This position reports directly to the Food Scientist.
• The R&D Tech works closely to other team members.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

R&D Tech must be able to lift 30 lbs.

The working environment is a clean, climate-controlled, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, but may require some outside maintenance as needed. Must be able to pass a drug screen as well as a criminal background check.

Exposure to manufacturing environments for periodic extended workdays including loud noise, excessive heat, cold, wet, and slippery conditions, food tasting and smells including all food allergens. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and depth perception.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, and stretch.  This job requires the employee to be able to read, write and communicate verbally in English.

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.