Quality Assurance Lead- 2nd shift

Company Information

At Richelieu Foods, we are dedicated to a culture of belonging for everyone. Driven by our values of ownership, respect, and growth, we put people, safety, and quality above all else -- delicious pizza, outstanding service, and solid customer relationships are what happens as a result.

Richelieu Foods, Inc. is a leading national private label and contract packing food manufacturer focused on frozen pizza. We have two manufacturing facilities located in IL and WI. We provide products to many national retailers, wholesalers, distributors, club and mass stores, as well as industrial accounts including other food manufacturers.

Job Summary

This position provides leadership for basic laboratory functions and QA inspection on the production floor. The Lead QA facilitates communication between the QA and production departments and directs QA resources as necessary to solve quality issues in a timely manner. The QA lead is responsible for reacting to the needs of production and ensuring that QA-dependent monitoring and verification tasks are completed in a timely manner so as not to delay production.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides functional support to Production, Maintenance, and R&D personnel in matters relating to product quality and food safety at the plant.

• Determines testing of recourse and disposition for production batches that cannot otherwise be brought into specification. Holds the final decision (when the QA Supervisor is not available) as to whether finished product will remain on QA hold for any reason.

• Facilitates the completion of instructions left by the QA Supervisor for off-shift tasks.

• Fills in during a technician's absence and includes working flexible hours and supporting the team as work volume changes.

• Reports all off-shift issues to the QA Supervisor and ensures that proper functions (QA EOS, product holds, OOS reports, Foreign Material reports), are completed in a timely manner.

• Responsible for facilitation and execution of the environmental monitoring program.

• Support raw material receiving programs. Monitor documentation and how materials are compared to expectations and to ensure FSMA compliance.

• Maintain ownership of equipment calibrations including scales, pH meters, thermometers, and etc.

• Responsible for and/or assists with:

• HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) program training, updates, and enforcement

• Internal audits, operational inspections, and Brittle Plastics Inspections. Collaborates with the proper party in resolving any findings, communicates any results.

• Filing, logging, data entry of Quality Records.

• Maintaining inventory of laboratory supplies.

• Additional duties may be assigned or modified as determined by Richelieu Foods management.

• Monitor and perform pathogenic environmental swabs.

• Perform direct observation of quality team members in performing quality checks.

• Train and lead new hires.

• Maintain accurate records of product holds, lab reports, and training.

• Create electronic analysis request forms for third-party lab testing

• Pre-Op leadership: ensures team is on track for pre-op inspections, supports questions/concerns from technicians (for 1st shift only)

• Additional projects as needed.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in GMP environment and/or leadership role.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule

• Working knowledge of FDA & USDA regulations as applied to food manufacturing

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework or degree in food science, microbiology or related degree strongly preferred

• Experience working in GFSI-certified environments.

• HACCP / Food Safety Plan Certification, SQF Practitioner certification, Acidified Process Certification, and/or PCQI (FSMA), or the ability and desire to obtain certifications

Essential Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel

• Strong organization skills with ability to manage multiple priorities

• Demonstrated problem solving skills, including basic mathematical analysis

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment with strong leadership and communication skills

• Strong sensory abilities to support routine inspection and evaluation of products, materials and processes

• Ability to accurately maintain records within warehouse management systems

• Experience analyzing data and producing accurate detail-oriented work

Working Conditions

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and power industrial trucks. The employee is frequently exposed to cold, wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand for the duration of the production shift; talk or hear; use hands or finger to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to walk. The employee is infrequently required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 40 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move more than 70 pounds.