Quality Assurance & Compliance Specialist

Dairy Farmers of America; Joplin (MO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Dairy Farmers of America in Joplin, MO is seeking a Quality Assurance & Compliance Specialist to support the QA department with documentation control, internal audits, and continuous improvement across food safety programs.

You will collaborate with plant managers, support CAPA, change control, and regulatory compliance, and help develop training materials and policies to meet customer and industry standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; scientific/analytical background preferred.
• Minimum 5 years lead or supervisory experience in quality control.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Technical writing skills.
• HACCP certification or extensive knowledge of HACCP system.
• Knowledge of SQF or other GFSI certifications.

Responsibilities

• Support QA with interdepartmental communications on quality systems.
• Oversee Document Control Program with annual reviews and ensure compliance with HACCP, SQF, FDA, and customer requirements.
• Develop and maintain an internal auditing system; track non-conformances and support management with data trends.
• Develop and enforce established Food Safety and Quality programs and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor effectiveness of Food Safety/Quality programs with plant managers and supervisors.
• Investigate and initiate continuous quality improvement programs; identify gaps and prioritize actions.
• Support CAPA, change control, audit follow-up, and corrective actions; assist in creating new policies and forms.
• Prepare training materials and update HACCP plans as regulations and customer expectations change.
• Assist in environmental monitoring and sanitation programs; support KPI reporting and root-cause investigations.
• Assist in documentation retrieval and program dialogue for audits (FDA, SQF, AIB, regulatory, customers).
• Oversee Integrated Pest Management Program (IMP); track non-conformances and report to management.

Skills

Communication skills

Technical writing

Troubleshooting

Leadership

Education

High school diploma or GED

Scientific/Analytical background

5 years lead or supervisory experience in quality control

HACCP Certification

SQF or other GFSI certifications

Job description

Quality Assurance & Compliance Specialist

REPORTS TO: Quality Control Manager

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

SHIFT: 8am-5pm (+ overtime as needed)

This position is open to any qualified INDIVIDUAL regardless of sex, race, age, color, religion, national origin or disability.

Position purpose

Assist Quality Assurance department in a variety of administrative support functions including interdepartmental communications on quality systems, document control, pest control, internal auditing and additional supporting roles and special projects. Provide support in the continuous improvement of current Quality Systems.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

1. QA supports contact to other parts of the organization on a variety of product quality items (R&D, refrigerated warehouse, ambient warehouse, customer service, customers, management, employees, etc).
2. Quality Systems
   • Oversee Document Control Program
     • Ensure documents are reviewed on an annual basis.
     • Review of documentation to meet required food safety standards such as HACCP, SQF, FDA, and Customer requirements.
   • Develop and maintain an internal auditing system, issue and follow-up on non-conformances for resolution. Assist and prepare, track, trend data as related for management team.
   • Develop and enforce established Food Safety and Quality programs and regulatory requirements.
   • Monitor Food Safety and Quality programs for effectiveness in a collaborative manner with plant managers and supervisors.
   • Investigation / initiation of continuous quality improvement program
   • Determine Gaps in current Quality System and prioritize continuous improvement activities surrounding gaps.
   • Support various Quality Systems such as complaint investigations, CAPA, change control, audit follow-up and corrective actions.
   • Assist in creating new policies, procedures, and forms to meet customer and regulatory requirements.
   • Formalize training material for new or existing programs.
   • Review and update HACCP plans when regulatory requirements and customer expectations change.
   • Assist in track and managing corrective action resulting from hold disposition.
   • Support the Environmental Monitoring Program and Sanitation Program as needed.
     • Assist in root cause investigations, follow-up activities, and corrections
   • Audit support role - FDA, SQF, AIB, Regulatory, Customer, Identity Preserved etc.
     • Assist in documentation retrieval and program dialogue as needed
   • Oversee Integrated Pest Management Program (IMP).
     • Assist in reporting of KPI data.
     • Track and trend non-conformances and report to management team
   • Special projects, including packaging specifications, raw material specifications, etc.
   • Seeks to improve training in skills required for the position.
   • Adhere to Company Policies, Procedures, and Rules.
   • Create and maintain a safe working environment.
   • Create and maintain a clean and sanitary working environment.
   • Maintain a positive, team-oriented attitude.
   • Perform any other work duties as assigned.
   • Work interdepartmentally with operations employees and managers to successfully meet their needs.

Education/Experience/Skills Required

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required; Scientific / Analytical background preferred; 5 years lead or supervisory experience in quality control.

Leadership role in previous position.

Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Technical writing skill-set.

Ability to interact professionally with supervision and management.

Strong troubleshooting skills.

Detailed and focused approach to support decision making process.

HACCP Certification or extensive knowledge of HACCP system

Knowledge of SQF or other GFSI certifications.

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans