QA Tech SS3

Simmons Pet Food Inc; Siloam Springs (AR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Simmons Pet Food Inc is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician for 2nd shift to monitor procedures and ensure food safety and quality of pet food products in compliance with customer specifications, state and federal rules. This role involves verifying CCPs, records, hygiene, sanitation, and supporting audits while collaborating with Operations and Production teams.

The ideal candidate will have 1 year in a pet/poultry or food processing quality-related field, knowledge of GMP and HACCP, and

Qualifications

• 1 year of experience in pet/poultry or food processing quality field preferred.
• Knowledge of GMP and HACCP systems.
• Ability to read and interpret SOPs and quality specifications.
• Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure operational compliance and conduct CCPs and quality checks as identified by HACCP team.
• Review records for compliance and initiate non-conformance when needed.
• Collaborate with Operations Manager and Supervisors to identify root causes and preventive actions.
• Act as first line of defense for products routed to Quality for analysis.
• Monitor hygiene verification and sanitation compliance during production and shutdown.
• Assist with audits, SOP cross-functional reviews, and audit readiness.
• Maintain data entry and records in quality programs.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

GMP knowledge

HACCP knowledge

Tools

Basic computer literacy

Job description

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Locations

Showing 1 location

Quality Assurance

Full-Time

Description

2nd Shift

To monitor procedures put in place to ensure the food safety and quality of pet food products in compliance with customer specifications, State and Federal rules and regulations. In addition, this position is to ensure the product(s) are consistently produced, stored and shipped in a timely and efficient manner according to Simmons, customer and regulatory guidelines.

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensures operational compliance. Conducts and evaluates CCPs and quality checks as identified by the HACCP team; reviews and verifies the records to ensure compliance. Initiates the non-conformance process when products are not in compliance with established specifications. Works with Operations Manager and Production Supervisors to find Root Causes and to develop preventive action. Acts as the first line of defense for products sent to the Quality Department for further analysis.

Responsible for the facility’s hygiene verification. Monitors and verifies the proper cleaning and sanitation program. Verifies hygiene control during production and shutdown to ensure food safety and compliance and works with Sanitation to ensure compliance is being met. The QA Technician will contribute to process training on Sanitation and GMP practices as needed, in addition to the annual corporate training.

Assist with audits of the facility. Possess knowledge of SOPs and full processing operations in order to assist with audits of the SOPs as it relates to Operations, Quality, Receiving and Procurement functions. Support auditing of the facility with an emphasis on cooking/processing, quality, production, packaging, and shipping areas. Assists cross functional teams in audit readiness.

Inspects a variety of programs to ensure compliance. Assesses SOPs and Pre-Op inspections, GMPs, Zoning assessments, calibration compliance, pest control, etc. Helps to create corrective actions/preventive controls for any non-conformity. Helps spot check all processes throughout the facility. Will assist in mock recalls as required.

Assists in the monitoring and updating of data entry into various software programs. Helps monitor and maintain the food safety and quality programs and records.

Participates as a member of the Team . Participates in the ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues; e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization.

Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives: Is familiar with Simmons’ established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies, LEAN); understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position’s role in support of these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas.

Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended that this describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position.

Physical Activities: Must be able to walk, stoop, sit, squat, climb ladders and stairs as well as lift and carry objects up to 75 lbs. in weight, lifting from floor to crown multiple times daily, must be able to roll fully loaded trucks of product (up to 700 lbs.) in and out of ovens, perform simple grasping and fine finger manipulation of small objects, work comfortably in confined spaces. Will be required to work in extreme temperatures (below 40 and over 100 degrees) wet, dry, dusty and noisy environment. Must be able to work on feet for entire 12 hour shifts, and be willing to rotate into different departments (meat prep, packaging, etc.) as needed.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Earplugs and safety glasses and hair net in designated areas. Safety toe and waterproof footwear, aprons, gloves and any other equipment as required or needed.

Travel: N/A.

Technical Experience: Preference - 1 year in Pet/Poultry or Food Processing quality related field, knowledge in food manufacturing, processing, GMP, and HAACP systems. Proven excellent trouble shooting, including machines, basic mechanical skills, working knowledge of Julian calendar, FIFO (product rotation) practices, understanding of military time, basic math calculations, ability to learn and remember codes, basic computer literacy and crisis management skills.

Industry Experience: Previous quality assurance/food safety experience in a manufacturing facility, preferably in the pet food or poultry processing.

Conflict Management: Steps up to conflicts, seeing them as opportunities. Read situations quickly; good at focused listening. Can hammer out tough agreements and settle disputes equitably; can find common ground and get cooperation with minimum noise.

Customer Focus: Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers. Gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services. Acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.

Peer relations: Can quickly find common ground and solve problems for the good of all. Can represent his/her Own interests and yet be fair to other groups. Can effectively and efficiently solve problems with peers. Is seen as a team player and is cooperative; easily gains trust and support of peers, encourages collaboration, and can be candid with peers.

Timely decision making: Demonstrates professional judgment; researches and integrates relevant information and data. Makes sound decisions based on fact in a timely manner, with skillful analysis, sometimes with incomplete information and under tight deadlines and pressure. Has the ability to know when to elevate information or situations to management.

Planning and Improvement: Plan for and improve performance, develops and implement plans, practices and processes to better achieve organizational goals.

Execution and Results: Focus on execution and results. Aligns and pursues work activities to achieve the mission and business priorities of the organization.

Self-Direction and Self Discipline: Plan for and initiate performance without immediate supervision or detailed instructions; develops and initiates plans, practices and processes to achieve organization goals with minimal direction or guidance.

Quality of Work: Maintain high standards despite pressing deadlines, does work right the first time, corrects own errors regularly produces accurate, thorough, professional work.

Reliability: Personally responsible; completes work in a timely, consistent manner; works hours necessary to complete assigned work; is regularly present and punctual; arrives prepared for work; is committed to doing the best job possible; keeps commitments; good verbal and written communication; organizational and record keeping skills ; as well as ability to multi-task. Ability to work efficiently in a fast paced environment and adhere to established safety procedures while maintaining quality and productivity; work overtime as needed; and be willing to rotate and cross-train as needed.

We value military experience and welcome veterans to join our team.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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