Job Description

Basic Purpose

Ensure the quality and safety of raw ingredients and finished products. Supervise facility quality assurance team and assist in daily quality assurance monitoring processes. Manage analytical laboratory testing data related to dry hot and RTD tea products, keeping detailed records of all analytical testing for regulatory compliance. Ensure the compliance to FDA and FSMA regulations as it relates to specifications of raw material components and finished product testing of dietary supplement and food products. Provide support to Quality, Product Development, Operations, and Procurement teams. Tasks are to be completed while maintaining the highest level of food safety, quality, and GMP standards in a high-speed manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct document review of food and supplement products, processes, or materials to include investigations, evaluations, and confirmations of compliance. Communicate release of blends and finished goods when all appropriate release criteria are met to organization.
• Supervise and train facility Quality Assurance Team. Provide support and manage schedules for Quality Assurance Technicians on all shifts. Provide required training to production team as described by facility training schedule with QA team.
• Ensure all raw material compliance to applicable food and dietary supplement regulations. Manage incoming analytical data for food and dietary supplement testing results, to support FDA Good Manufacturing practices.
• Communicate quality, food safety and dietary supplement compliance concerns to operators, supervisors, and managers, quickly and effectively. Manage consumer complaint data and generate monthly reports. Contribute to corrective action implementation as needed.
• Support sample incoming raw material for lab analysis. Support preparation of samples for testing or transportation to contract labs. Populate and manage testing data in LIMS. Aid and support the implementation of FSMA/GFSI requirements.
• Perform monthly food safety system auditing to SQF Code and regulatory requirements, water potability, air quality, and environmental sampling for Dry Tea facility and DC. Recommend corrective actions for non-compliances and issue reports to, Dry Tea and DC managers.
• Provide technical data support to MES, LIMS, TraceGains, ERP, Product Vision and support research and clinical studies for ingredient and product claims.
• Ensure facility adherence to requirements of 3rd party certifications including, but not limited to: SQF, Organic, GFCO, Kosher, Dietary Supplement. Manage in creation and amend SOPs as needed to meet facility needs to comply with these standards.
• Collaborate with Supplier Quality Assurance to ensure that approved supplier documentation is maintained in cloud-based database.
• Support all raw materials and finished product-retain samples. Aid in product shelf life and stability testing for dietary supplement products.
• Provide backup support to Quality and Blend Managers including but not limited to recipe creation for scheduled batch processing, daily in-process sensory evaluation, when needed.
• Follow all Food Safety & Quality guidelines, but not limited to: GMPs, Allergen Program, Product Quality, Sanitation / Environmental Monitoring, Food and Personnel Safety

Supervisory Responsibilities

• 5 Quality Technicians & Specialist within Celestial Seasonings Facility

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a food science or related science (preferred), associate's degree in science with related experience or equivalent experience.
• 2-4 years' experience in a high speed, food products manufacturing environment. (Dietary Supplement or Pharmaceutical manufacturing experience preferred.)
• Computer skills demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word at an intermediate level, database management, math skills.
• Problem solving, decision making, and leadership skills that help provide input into decision to reject specific packaging materials, monitor cGMP compliance, and keep plant sanitation standards high.
• Demonstrated skills performing root cause analysis.
• Reports/written communication
• Ability to carry 10-20 lbs., and push/pull 60+ lbs.
• Ability to meet attendance guidelines.
• Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with all contacts both inside and outside the company.

Compensation and Benefits:

• $58,000 -$75,000 /year (commensurate with experience and location)
• Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision Coverage
• Flexible spending accounts
• Disability coverage
• Life insurance
• Critical illness and accident insurance
• Legal and identity protection insurance
• Pet insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Commuter benefits
• Tuition assistance
• Adoption assistance
• 401(k)
• PTO