Quality Assurance Lead Hand

Cooke Inc.; California, Northern (MO, KY); Hybrid; USD 43,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Life and disability insurance

EAP (Employee Assistance Program)

RRSP matching

Wellness program

Career development

Employee discounts

Job summary

Hermitage Processing Inc., a Division of Cooke Aquaculture Inc., is seeking a Quality Assurance Lead Hand to oversee daily quality and food safety verification on the production floor, support the QA Supervisor, and provide first-line leadership to QA Technicians.

This full-time role emphasizes inspections, corrective actions, environmental monitoring, and continuous improvement through weekly lessons, training, and adherence to GMP, HACCP, BRCGS, and customer requirements.

Qualifications

• Seafood processing or food manufacturing experience.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, BRCGS, SFCR, and food safety programs.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to perform inspections and make objective quality decisions.
• Intermediate computer and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead QA on production floor and support QA Technicians.
• Conduct daily QA assessments and environmental swabs as scheduled.
• Verify compliance with procedures and facilities; document non-conformances.
• Develop and deliver weekly One-Point Lessons based on findings and trends.
• Participate in root cause investigations and corrective actions.

Skills

QA leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Job description

Hermitage Processing Inc., a Division of Cooke Aquaculture Inc., a dynamic and growing east coast family company, with Platinum Member status in the Canada’s Best Managed Companies Program, is offering a unique opportunity for the right individual to join the Processing Team as Quality Assurance Lead Hand.

Cooke is a global seafood company with operations in North America, Europe, and South America. Our company’s success is driven by our dynamic, highly-skilled and innovative management team, supported by dedicated employees who live in coastal communities and contribute to the local area’s economy and sense of community.

The Role

The Quality Assurance Lead Hand is responsible for daily quality and food safety verification activities on the production floor. This position supports the QA Supervisor by conducting inspections, completing monitoring tasks, verifying compliance with procedures, identifying deficiencies, and communicating corrective actions. The QA Lead Hand acts as the first level of leadership and technical support for QA Technicians.

Key Responsibilities

Quality and Food Safety Monitoring

• Conduct a QA assessment once per day throughout processing operations.
• Complete environmental swabbing programs as scheduled and submit the environmental swab plan to the lab the week prior to swabbing.
• Perform raw material temperature verification activities.
• Complete Acceptable Quality Limit (AQL) inspections, one lot per day.
• Monitor compliance with food safety, GMP, HACCP, BRCGS, BAP, and customer requirements.
• Participate in Root Cause Analysis investigations for quality, food safety, customer complaint, GMP, environmental monitoring, and documentation-related non-conformances.
• Develop and deliver weekly One-Point Lessons (OPLs) for QA Technicians and Production employees based on audit findings, customer complaints, root cause investigations, GMP observations, environmental monitoring results, and quality trends.

Inspections & Verification Activities

• Complete assigned Lead Hand INspec approvals each day.
• Identify non-conformances and initiate corrective actions.

Maintenance & Continuous Improvement:

• Complete bi-weekly facility infrastructure walkthroughs.
• Review maintenance work orders and identify quality-related concerns

Expectations of the Role

• Reliability & Diligence: Consistently demonstrate reliability, punctuality, attention to detail, and accurate completion of monitoring and verification tasks.
• Hands-on QA Leadership: Lead by example on the production floor and provide day-to-day guidance and technical support to QA Technicians.
• Effective Communication: Communicate clearly and respectfully with QA Technicians, the QA Supervisor, production employees, and management representatives.
• Problem Identification: Proactively identify quality, food safety, documentation, production, and GMP concerns and elevate when required.
• Commitment to Standards: Uphold high standards for food safety, product quality, regulatory compliance, and record accuracy.
• Training Support: Reinforce procedural compliance through one-point lessons, short coaching sessions, verbal questioning, and follow-up verification.
• Adaptability: Adjust to changing production needs, inspection priorities, customer requests, and QA management direction.

Qualifications

• Seafood processing or food manufacturing experience.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, BRCGS, SFCR, and food safety programs.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to perform inspections and make objective quality decisions.
• Intermediate computer and documentation skills.

Benefits Package

• Health Benefits: Includes coverage for dental, vision, and extended medical care.
• Insurance: Life and disability insurance provided for financial security.
• Support Services: Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Financial Planning: Opportunity for RRSP matching to support your retirement savings.
• Wellness: Wellness programs.
• Career Development: Professional growth opportunities and avenues for advancement.
• Perks: Employee discounts on company products or services.

Join our team and enjoy the benefits of full-time year-round employment with competitive rates and a comprehensive benefits package tailored to support your well-being and career growth.

*As per company policy, a criminal background check is required.

The Opportunity

The role description is just one part of the story. This is an opportunity to grow, to stretch, to work within the parameters of the role but stretch to your fullest potential. We are a team that counts performance, we reward contribution, and we recognize talent. It is about being at the center of the fastest growing company in Atlantic Canada and knowing you are part of that growth. The ability to bring your passion for learning, desire for growth, and energy for moving your career forward is what we offer.

Why Cooke?

Simple – we are a company that rewards initiative, resourcefulness and work ethic. We will champion your growth and provide you with the platform to create your path, your career and your future.

We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.