The Lead Quality Control Technician is responsible for monitoring product, paperwork, and employee practices throughout the plant via on-the-line checks and continuous department touring, as well as maintaining technical production information that is issued to the production floor. The individual must be able to work within a multi-disciplinary team and ensure that Company’s quality & food safety expectations are being met and understood by all team members. They will perform process checks throughout the production, packaging, sanitation, and warehouse functions of the company including GMP, metal detection, label and coding verification, general hygiene, and safety, as well as in process and finished product weights and record on Quality audit report. This role has additional responsibility for overseeing work performed by other QC technicians working on the same shift AND acting as primary Quality contributor when product or process fall outside acceptable limits.

Duties and Responsibilities

The associate’s primary functions and responsibilities are as follows:

• Employee will be directly responsible for Monitoring and leading the day-to-day activities of the QC Technicians.
• Assist in all investigations into the direct cause of non-conforming product that occurred in that shift. Gather evidence that can be used to determine disposition for product that may be put on hold. Ensure all information is communicated effectively and in a timely manner to the Quality Control Manager.
• Manage non-conforming products and provide immediate action or disposition instructions. Hold/release raw materials, WIP, finished goods into and out of facility/production with proper entry of information into the Just Foods program. Ensure information is entered correctly by other quality technicians in the Hold register.
• Alert the Quality Control Manager and/or other departmental Managers /Supervisors/Unit Leaders to infractions of product/packaging quality to standard.
• Oversee work performed in the lab and in the plant by other technicians and provide regular updates to the Quality Control Manager.
• Assist in customer complaint investigations.
• Provide training to other QC technicians and plant employees as it relates to GMPs, processes, etc., if required.
• Test products at specified stages, from receiving to processing to finished product, ensuring they comply with the government and the company's quality standards and maintain appropriate records.
• Ensure proper code dating, identification, and weight allowance in products packaged.
• Ensure all process and packaging operations are correctly performed, and operators/crew leaders/packers are following proper area and personnel GMP’s and reporting deviations to appropriate supervisors.
• Complete internal, external and glass and plastic inspections and issue work orders when required.
• Completing daily Personnel verification records and Line Quality Checks/
• Perform allergen swabbing verification and inspections as required.
• Meet daily with the Operational departments to discuss incidents related to food safety and quality. Work to resolve procedural non-conformances, products on hold, compliance issues in a timely manner.
• Collect new product launch samples for shelf-life validations and send to customer when required.
• Shelf-life testing of expiring products.
• Collecting and placing the retain samples in the retain sample storage cage. Individual will be required to log the retain samples in a database before being placed in the retain sample cage. Individual will ensure that the product Shelf Life/Retain cage is organized appropriately and kept tidy.
• Complete a QAS (Quality Attribute Sheet) record when required.
• Assist in managing (department) supplies and inventory (e.g., swabs, environmental testing plates, etc.)
• Provide back up to other shifts. Must be flexible and able to work other OT and/or other shifts to cover absences, vacations, etc.
• Maintain radio inventory.
• Conduct environmental swabbing.
• Investigate non-conforming products and conducts root cause analyses.
• Calibrate the moisture meter weekly and as needed.
• Check the flour sifter monthly.
• Inspect belts monthly.
• Collaborates with the R&D team for trial runs.
• Responsible for daily management and support for the team to achieve operational success.
• Monitor time and attendance and ensure compliance with Company Procedures.
• Approve the vacation requests.
• Carry out incident, accident and non-conformity investigations and associated reporting and action closure.
• Issue disciplinary action when needed.
• Perform other assigned duties.
• Follow Health and Safety rules and regulations.
• Must follow Good Manufacturing Practices, Food Safety, and Food Defense guidelines.
• Comply with all Company policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• University Degree, College, or Technical School Certificate in the science field. Knowledge in the Food Science field would be ideal.
• 1-2 years of related quality control experience in the food industry.
• Experience investigating the cause of issues related to poor product quality/safety.
• Excellent critical thinking skills to troubleshoot product quality/safety problems.
• Good English reading, writing and communication skills. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating & maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to speak effectively to groups of employees.
• Must be competent in using standard computer software packages including Microsoft Word, and Excel.
• GMP & HACCP training.
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision.
• Good math skills.
• Great attention to detail with accuracy, especially regarding product specifications.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Working conditions

• Always work indoors.
• Compliant with ventilation, cleanliness, space, lighting and temperature.

Physical requirements

• Sitting involved.
• May repeat the same movement.
• Typing involved.