Team Leader - Test Room

Blue Diamond Growers; Elvas (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Diamond Growers in California seeks a Quality Assurance supervisor to lead hourly teams in daily QA inspections and ensure adherence to Food Safety and Quality Systems across departments. The role partners with Quality, Membership and Operations to drive audit readiness, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction through robust training, accurate reporting and proactive corrective actions.

You will supervise a large team, develop training programs and ensure shift coverage,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required.
• Minimum 3 years of food/beverage QA experience in a production environment.
• Experience leading a team and familiarity with GFSI standards (SQF).

Responsibilities

• Leads teams of hourly employees in executing daily quality assurance inspections.
• Collaborates with Test Room Manager to reduce grading errors and sample backlog.
• Drives improvements across Membership, Inventory, Receiving and Grower Accounting teams.
• Supports food safety systems with risk assessments and preventive controls.
• Conducts SQF, HACCP, and prerequisite program audits.
• Coaches Test Room team to achieve safety, quality and production objectives.
• Manages scheduling and staff development; plans department activities within budget.
• Performs additional duties including operations support and travel as needed.

Skills

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Quality Assurance

Microsoft Office

Excel

SAP experience

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Bachelor of Science Degree in a Natural Science discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Excel

SharePoint

Visio

PowerPoint

SAP

Job description

Work Shift: Swing

Pay Type: Salary

Hourly Rate (if applicable): N/A

Targeted Base Salary Range (if applicable): N/A

JOB OVERVIEW

Leads teams of hourly employees in executing daily quality assurance inspections ensuring the execution of Food Safety and Quality Systems requirements. Works cross functionally with Quality, Membership and Operations teams to support company goals, ensure audit readiness and drive continuous improvement.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborates with Test Room Manager to ensure metrics and processes are established and executed to reduce grading errors and sample backlog.
• Drives continuous improvement across Membership, Inventory, Receiving and Grower Accounting teams to optimize grower payment efficiencies and enhance customer experience.
• Supports food safety systems by performing risk assessment evaluations, auditing internal of quality systems and developing preventive control programs.
• Conducts off-season internal SQF audits, HACCP audits and prerequisite program audits.
• Coaches Test Room team to deliver safety, quality and production objectives.
• Applies sound motivational and correctional techniques, including employee counseling and disciplinary actions and recognition for good work.
• Stays abreast of employee contributions and potential growth so opportunities for greater contributions can be capitalized.
• Ensures proper scheduling and job rotation to effectively staff operation. Appropriately manages time and attendance for the department.
• Contributes development of effective employee training programs. Conducts training and promotes continuous learning of staff, resulting in a flexible and agile workforce.
• Works with Department Manager to plan and manage department activities within agreed upon budget.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as required, including support with operations, co-manufacturing, and corporate food safety/quality support that may require travel.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

Minimum level of education required

• Bachelor's Degree

Minimum number of years of experience required in addition to education plus type(s) of functional experience

• 3 years of food/beverage quality assurance experience in a production environment.

Other required type(s) of functional experience (e.g. Production/Operations, Accounting, Forklift Operator, Inventory Control, etc.)

• Experience leading/supervising a team.
• Familiarity with a GFSI Standard (such as SQF).

Total minimum number of years of experience required in lieu of degree (if applicable)

• 7 years of food/beverage quality assurance experience in a production environment.

Other job requirements (e.g. certifications/licenses, CPG experience, work overtime/weekends, etc.)

• Must be able to work any shift, weekends and overtime as needed.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Visio, and Excel (advanced skills preferred).
• Required to possess strong technical knowledge covering a wide range of food processing equipment.
• Maintains a good understanding of SPC and associated tools.
• Must possess the ability to analyze trends and determine corrective actions.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES

• Bachelor of Science Degree in a Natural Science discipline.
• Experience leading continuous improvement teams
• Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certificate preferred.
• Auditing experience in food processing plants highly preferred.
• Must be a proactive team player.
• Must be able to function effectively as a leader or member in a team environment; able to translate concepts into concrete examples.
• Must be self-starter; demonstrated ability to produce on schedule; act in a constructive manner; strongly motivated to improve self and production department.
• Demonstrated leadership ability through discovering and utilizing people's capabilities, recognizing good work and earning the respect of peers and subordinates.
• SAP experience is desired.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Typical number of Direct Reports

• Greater than 15
• Setting goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company's plans and vision.
• Organizing workflow and ensuring that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks.
• Monitoring employee productivity and providing constructive feedback and coaching.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be able to physically move throughout the facility, including climbing multiple flights of stairs, ladders, elevated catwalks and tight access areas. Able to work at a desk for extended periods of time doing analytical work or preparing reports on a computer. On call 24 hours a day for emergency situations. Weekend work not uncommon.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Must be able to work in a plant environment being exposed to dust, high noise levels, extreme temperature and humidity fluctuations, and wet operating work conditions. Typical conditions may include prolonged sitting, standing and walking.

WHY BLUE DIAMOND?

In addition to working at the world's largest, state-of-the-art almond manufacturer, we offer a safe and collaborative team environment, with numerous opportunities for free training and career advancement. Check out the BDG Benefits, Health & Wellness Guide HERE.

Grow your career. Partner with us. We Are the Almond People!

Blue Diamond Growers (BDG) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. BDG provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, or genetic information. BDG also complies with all provisions of the U.S. Government's Executive Order 11246 dated September 24, 1965 and the rules, regulations and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor.