451 Quality Assurance Supervisor

Shank’s Extracts, LLC d/b/a Universal Ingredients – Shank’s is a premier manufacturer of vanilla extracts, other extracts, natural and artificial flavors, food colors, syrups, and sauces. Shank’s quality products are widely distributed to industrial, private-label, and grocery customers worldwide. We have an immediate opening for a Quality Assurance Supervisor

Available Immediately Upon Hire: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, HSA, EAP, ID Theft, 401K, and PTO.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:

The primary purpose of this position is to review and release products for approval to ship, supervise the Quality Assurance Inspectors, and ensure the quality and food safety of finished liquid products. This position also supervises incoming and outgoing raw materials and product sampling and company-wide quality systems and is the first point of contact for internal raw material and finished product issues.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Review products for completion of required tests and conformance to required specifications including all regulatory requirements for food safety including SIP, CIP cycles.
• Release products in the ERP, ensure sampling requirements are met, and generate, prepare and send COAs for products as required.
• Supervise the Quality Assurance Inspectors
  • Assign required sampling and material review for inbound raw material ingredients.
  • Assign line coverage for QC inspector quality testing.
• Provide verification functions of all inbound receipts of packaging materials (cartons, labels, and bottles) for accuracy with labeling requirements and other customer specifications. Upload approved labels electronically into the ERP. Generate a raw material/packaging material number master form for the Quality Assurance Inspector’s label book each time a new or corrected label or carton is received.
• Conduct daily monitoring for compliance to Juice HACCP and Title 21 113 Aseptic Processing and Packaging requirements.
• Participate in bi-monthly area food safety inspection team.
• Assist on an as needed basis with regulatory, SQF, and customer food safety and quality audits.
• Conduct quarterly glass, brittle plastics, and ceramics surveys/inspections.
• Put products on hold for any quality and food safety nonconformances and assist with investigations for dispositions determinations.
• Provide assistance to QA team and Maintenance personnel for sanitation optimization and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Provide back-up to the Quality Manager as needed for various responsibilities.
• Track compliance to critical hardware calibrations including thermocouples, RTD, scales, and pressure sensors.
• Conduct job specific training for Quality Inspectors, Maintenance, and Production personnel as needed.
• Conduct intermittent Quality subject refresher training for general employee population (typically once bi-monthly)
• Prepare and deliver performance reviews for Quality Control Inspectors.
• Ensure proper handling of cold chain raw materials and finished goods as appropriate.
• Ensure labeling of finished goods is compliant with customer and regulatory requirements.
• Enforce sampling requirements as determined by customers for the Processing and Production Departments.
• Average amount of repetition involved in this job. Frequent judgment is required. Errors in this position can have a significant impact on business and have a direct impact on food safety.
• Leads or assists with Processing and Production issues/problems pertaining to raw materials and finished liquids as they arise.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL/SKILLS NEEDED:

• QA/QC experience working in a production environment.
• Ability to hire, train, supervise, evaluate, and terminate Quality Inspector staff as needed.
• Detail oriented with the ability to proof with a very high degree of accuracy and precision.
• Excellent written communication skills including compiling and maintaining data records in the system ERP and manual records as appropriate.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, both intradepartmental and interdepartmentally.
• Excellent teamwork skills and ability to be equally comfortable in office and production environments.
• Working knowledge of “Good Manufacturing Practices”, HACCP, and Audit Certifications
• Computer literate and able to operate most office equipment. Preference is for experience with ERP systems.
• Experienced in working in a team environment yet able to work independently with minimal supervisor from manager.
• Self-motivated and self-directed, organized, detail-oriented, with the ability to interact well with a diverse group of co-workers.
• Ability to make supervisory and quality decisions independently as appropriate.
• English comprehension including speaking, reading, and writing is required for our business's necessity to ensure a safe and effective work environment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• BS Degree in a science curriculum (Biology, Chemistry, Food Science, Microbiology, etc.) or an academic preferred but not required.
• A minimum of five years general food production and two years supervisory and/or management experience.
• Prior aseptic experience preferred.
• GFSI experience preferred (SQF preferred).
• Experience with laboratory testing procedures, analytical results, and records preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have use of arms and hands to check and record incoming bottles and labels for quality.
• Must have good eyesight to see labels, generate files, and ensure quality.
• Must have use of legs to navigate work area and other production areas.
• Must have average hearing to hear information coming from production and staff members.
• Frequently exposed to heat, dust, odor, and fumes.
• Exposure to elevated noise levels which occurs below OSHA thresholds.
• May be required to work in noisy environments while using hearing protection.
• Exposure to food allergens such as, but not limited to, milk eggs, tree nuts, wheat, and soybeans will occur.

Conduct, Quality, Integrity, and Culture

Conduct: We will conduct every aspect of our business with honesty, integrity, and openness, respecting human rights and the interests of our employees, customers, and third parties.

Quality: Shank’s is committed to food safety and product quality. We employ extensive food safety programs and controls at all levels. Our quality standards and food safety procedures are thoroughly being evaluated internally and externally. We continuously strive to improve our performance.

Integrity: Shank’s and its employees will not offer, give, seek or receive, either directly or indirectly, improper inducements for business or financial gain. Where information is confidential, that confidentiality must be protected.

Culture: Shank’s respects the cultural values of our employees, contractors, and customers. We also promote a balanced work-life environment. We recognize and celebrate our employees for their hard work and the contributions they make to our company.

Shanks Core Values:

ASPIRATION: Share a vision for achievement

ACCOUNTABILITY: Support company reputation

ADAPTABILITY: Evolve to meet business needs