Quality Assurance Specialist - Topco Associates, Inc.

Department/Location: QUALITY ASSURANCE

Reports directly to: QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER

Supervises: None

BASIC PURPOSE OF POSITION:

Under direct supervision, promotes the delivery of optimal Quality Assurance services and standards by ensuring all department protocols and procedures are in compliance.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Under the guidance of QA management, evaluate and approve products and supplier manufacturing facilities per protocol.
2. Monitor products procured for Topco’s members for compliance with Topco specifications and with applicable government regulations to ensure consistency.
3. Establish product monitoring programs for categories based on standard protocol that takes into account the inherent product risk and the supplier’s quality performance.
4. Write, maintain and update product specifications that reflect all quality parameters for the products manufactured by Topco suppliers. Review with management as necessary.
5. Participate in the development of new products and improve or reformulate existing products as needed with Topco cross-functional teams.
6. Conduct formal audits of products and suppliers in support of category reviews.
7. Coordinate and document all decisions, recalls, incidents with suppliers and products per standard protocols and procedures.
8. Provide technical expertise and product knowledge to vendors, members and Topco staff as required.
9. Work with outside testing laboratories as necessary and review results for thorough understanding of products.
10. Prepare and participate in competitive product reviews and presentations as necessary.
11. Promotes the effective running of the laboratory by maintaining clean and orderly work areas and proper rotation of sample inventories.
12. Actively investigates and resolves product issues and assists other departments as necessary.
13. Provides back-up to Sr. QA Specialists as necessary.
14. Work closely with the regulatory team to maintain the highest level of regulatory compliance.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

POSITION: QUALITY ASSURANCE SPECIALIST

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION CRITERIA

Successful performance of these job functions should result in:

· Ongoing delivery to members of products that conform to Topco specifications.

· Standards for product/facility approval are completed.

· Appropriate approval or rejection of products according to evaluation results.

· Timely and current maintenance of specifications.

· Effective audits of member and competing products.

· Assistance with the development of new items.

· Documentation is followed for all protocols and procedures.

· Maintenance of clean and orderly working areas and sample rotation.

· Prompt resolution of consumer and member complaints.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

· Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Food and Nutrition or another relevant discipline preferred.

Technical skills:

· Knowledge of consumer product testing, laboratory procedures and statistical and quality sampling measures, or experience conferring equivalent skills.

· Knowledge of product/quality measurement skills.

· Knowledge of all Microsoft applications. Microsoft Access knowledge a plus.

Previous experience:

· Two years of related experience required.

Other qualifications:

· Ability to work independently without close supervision on a daily basis.

· Ability to regularly handle large volumes of technical reports and information in an organized manner.

· Ability to communicate effectively with others orally and in writing.

· Ability to work effectively and in a professional manner with people at all levels, including supplier personnel.

· Ability and willingness to travel by air or car as required.

Competencies:

Communication Skills

• Communicates effectively and candidly in both verbal and written communications

• Communications are inclusive of the necessary audience to gain desired results

Member/Customer focus

• Puts the member and/or customer first

• Follows up to closure

Strategic planning

• Plans project strategies and acts them out accordingly

• Includes necessary resources and keeps all informed throughout projects

Focus on results

• Drives projects to yield desired results

• Establishes and stays within project timelines

Negotiating Skills

• Utilizes negotiation skills effectively to manage projects and outcomes

Organizational Skills/Project management

• Utilizes a systematic, organized approach to project management.

• Executes consistently against the system and utilizes it to manage projects and reduce turnaround times on core responsibilities

Team Player

• Understands the roles and responsibilities of the various team members in the various disciplines

• Utilizes all team resources to benefit overall project results and resolution of issues.

CAREER ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITY:

Senior QA Specialist

QA Supervisor

QA Manager

Please e-mail your resume to mbillings@topco.com

Main Page

Copyright (C) All rights reserved under FoodHACCP.com

If you have any comments, please send your email to info@foodhaccp.com