Food Safety & Quality Tech II

Summary 

Under the direction of the Food Safety & Quality Supervisor or Manager, this position is primarily responsible for participating in the execution of quality, food safety, food defense and biosecurity programs including audits of egg processing, animal welfare, biosecurity, and feed safety/quality as directed.

Key Responsibilities

• Verify quality parameters to ensure compliance with company standards, customer requirements, cGMPs and applicable USDA and FDA requirements
• Supporting the implementation and maintenance of the HACCP-based Food/Feed Safety Systems and applicable pre-requisite programs
• Physical, chemical and microbiological testing
• Environmental monitoring (i.e. equipment swabs and allergen testing)
• Perform regularly scheduled pre-operational verifications of sanitation
• Daily audit of process procedures and records
• Data input, analysis, and reporting
• Critical thinking. Writing reports, procedures, policies, and plans
• Audit and support food safety, quality, feed, security, biosecurity, and animal welfare programs
• Interface with USDA inspector(s) in absence of department manager
• Implement preventative measures as needed
• Perform corrective actions, as needed and follow up to ensure completion
• Train personnel and enforce food safety standards
• Communicate with local and corporate management, as needed, for problem identification, out of compliance situations, process improvements and general communications

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• College degree in related field is preferred but not required.
• SQF (or other GFSI-recognized standard), HACCP, Internal Auditing, and ASQ a plus.
• 2-5 years of experience in addition to, or in lieu of, college degree.
• Animal agriculture, food production, food processing, medical or pharmaceutical fields

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities               

• Must be a hands-on self-starter
• Strong communication skills - both written and verbal
• Ability to train employees
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Thorough knowledge, or ability to attain thorough knowledge, of Food Safety Systems
• Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel
• Ability to motivate employees to work within company parameters
• Ability to work at any Company area sites routinely
• Willing and able to work a flexible schedule including being on call after normal work hours, weekends, some work from home or extended hours on location as deemed necessary by management

Physical Demands

Stand and walk constantly; grip, grasp, push, pull, reach, bend, stoop, lift up to 10 pounds frequently; sit, climb, lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.

Work Environment

Frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and water, and chemicals. Temperature is regulated for operations standards. Cooler temperatures occur in specific areas. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Proper personal protective equipment will be required during certain working conditions.  Employees are required to comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) due to working in a food manufacturing environment (hairnets, clean clothes, etc.).