Location: Tillamook,OR, USA
QA Specialist
Come join the Tillamook Team, one of the fastest-growing dairy brands in the US, where we Play to Win to create over 200 dairy products in 7 different categories: cheese, ice cream, yogurt, sour cream, butter, cream cheese and frozen meals. Our Uncompromising Quality has led us to become the #1 Cheddar, #2 Cream Cheese and #3 Family Size Ice Cream brand, but we're not stopping there. We're loading up for our best years to come and want you to join us.
As a farmer-owned cooperative since 1909, we know that being Good Stewards for our stakeholders and doing a little extra always pays off. We're looking for team members with a One Team and Genuine Care mindset who are inspired to share the delight of the Tillamook brand with each other and others every day.
About you:
What does real food mean to you? Is your favorite dish a cheesy casserole? Perhaps a decadent and indulgent ice cream? Either way, your identification with food is important to us. People who fit well here at Tillamook have a commitment to quality in everything they do. Our team members understand our vision, contribute to our mission, thrive on innovative thinking, hard work and good, honest values.
About us:
Our team members understand our vision, contribute to our mission, thrive on innovative thinking, hard work and good, honest values. We live by these shared values: We are Good Stewards, We believe in Uncompromising Quality, We work as One Team, We Play to Win, and We Genuinely Care for each other.
What you will do:
The Quality Specialist performs various inspections, audits and checks to support manufacturing in ensuring that GMP's, pre-requisite programs and food safety plans are adhered to. Works with all departments to problem solve issues as they arise. They are independent, self-driven individuals with excellent time management skills and able to work effectively and efficiently with limited to no direct supervision.
Here's a day in the life:
* Conducts pre-operational/daily hygiene inspections to verify effectiveness of sanitation program utilizing microbiological and ATP testing.
* Performs and documents daily plant food safety and quality inspections, documenting results in RedZone and other internal software.
* Monitors and enforces adherence to personnel Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's); coaching and documenting as necessary.
* Performs periodic Glass and Hard Plastics Audits inspections; documents findings and follows up on corrective actions to ensure that items are corrected.
* Utilizes the online work order system (CMMS) to address issues identified in the plant
* Assists with Regulatory, 3rd party and internal audits regarding Food Safety, Quality and SQF/3rd party compliance. Assists with the preparation and maintenance of documentation to ensure compliance.
* Performs regular environmental monitoring activities through execution of the plant's routine microbiological swabbing and air sampling plans
* Documents and updates swabbing information in LIMS
* Monitors and reports results of swab results in a timely manner to relative plant leadership and production team members.
* Conducts, documents and communicates investigation results related to out of specification microbiological results within the expected timeframe including follow up sampling
* Ensures investigations are appropriately thorough to identify root causes or potential root causes and prevent recurrence.
* Performs Risk Assessment mitigation on Invasive Construction projects as needed within the facility including post-construction inspections and environmental monitoring
* Assists in performing risk assessments for the implementation and execution of the environmental monitoring program and recommends improvements to the existing program.
* Responsible for verifying the procedures for receiving ingredients and packaging materials are conducted properly.
* Performs physical inspection of incoming ingredients and verifies acceptable condition for receiving, including cleanliness and temperature control requirements.
* Ensures the proper documentation accompanies the ingredients in accordance with the approved supplier program and utilizes D365 to log all required quality control tests results for release of ingredients and packaging.
* Supports and documents investigations of ingredients, packaging and/or products that do not meet company receiving expectations or specifications.
* Assists in monitoring ingredients and placing hold tags on ingredients and communicating with operations about status of ingredient hold.
* Assists in controlling non-conforming materials when deviations occur and informs management accordingly.
* Responsible for monitoring segregation of allergens and looking up inventory shelf life as outlined in the food safety plan.
* Performs wash and allergen validations to ensure the effectiveness of the sanitation program.
* Reviews HACCP/Food Safety documentation, charts, and production paperwork from various departments; Metal detector Logs, seal log verification, and recording charts.
* Verifies CCP's are working correctly. Examples: check state seals, packaging verifications, silo temperature verifications, and more.
* Verifies metal checks are properly performed with correct tools, retrain/escalate immediately if not performed correctly.
* Conducts and documents investigations for food safety and quality issues.
* Aids in establishing, implementing, and documenting corrective action and validation.
* Assists with maintaining, updating, and communicating findings from the food safety corrective action logs and reports.
* Promotes food safety awareness, and provides training as necessary to support food safety culture
* Develops and maintains procedures and work instructions for area of responsibility and provides training as needed.
* Supports Food Safety training program for as well as related education training as assigned.
* Ability to reference and review documents in the ETQ software to assist with food safety questions and events as well as ensuring that all food safety documentation is up to date.
* Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with coworkers, supervisors and management teams across shifts and departments and be able to interact with staff at all levels of the company.
* Demonstrates strong problem-solving skills and ability to adjust and make critical decisions that impact food safety.
* Communicates effectively through verbal and written forms, across shifts and departments.
* Collaborates well with others in problem solving activities.
* Utilizes a computer with intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint as well as demonstrating an aptitude to learn multiple software systems (i.e. Redzone, ETQ, D365, LIMS, etc.)
* Ability to read and interpret scientific papers and regulatory standards.
* Completes mandatory safety and food safety training in a timely manner
* Supports and lead projects as necessary.
* Other duties as assigned
Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
* High School diploma is required; an associate degree and/or food or dairy science coursework is preferred. A bachelor's degree in food or dairy science, or biology is a plus.
* Practical experience in a quality assurance position and/or microbiology-food testing laboratory is preferred.
* Ability to communicate effectively.
Industry leading benefit and reward programs:
We offer outstanding benefits to our employees. For more information, please visit the careers page: www.tillamook.com/careers.
We are committed to creating a diverse culture and inclusive conditions where all employees are heard, valued and feel a sense of belonging. We rely on different perspectives, thoughts, backgrounds and cultures to inform our work, to help us be better as a brand and as an employer and to fuel our success. We are seeking talent from a wide range of diversity, perspectives and backgrounds to join our exceptional organization and help us build our future.
Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) is a Drug-Free Workplace. EEO
TCCA prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability status (including those related to pregnancy and childbirth), protected veteran status, membership/non-membership in a labor organization, or any other characteristic protected by law.