QA Team Leader

at  Blue Earth Foods Limited

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Support on a day-to-day basis the QA team and other operational departments regarding food safety, legality and quality challenges.
• Provide on a day-to-day basis task-based guidance to the QA team, communicating clear priorities whilst working in conjunction with the Factory Technical Manager and Technical Compliance team.
• Create and maintain dynamic auditing and schedules (GMP, CCP, Label and Date coding…) and create standardised auditing reports based on site’s work instructions.
• Ensure all audit results are clearly communicated to operations management and factory staff and that all non-conformances are closed out in an effective manner to prevent re-occurrence.
• Assist with the investigation of major food safety, quality or legality issues, obtaining full traceability information and effectively communicate findings to Technical management team. Conduct root cause analysis to determine actions required to resolve and prevent re-occurrence.
• Complete and/or review complaint investigations to ensure all necessary documents have been assessed and assist with process audits if required. Ensure investigations are carried out in conjunction with the relevant departments.
• Play an active role in the complaints reduction action plan working with operations to drive high product quality standards & complete improvement projects when required.
• Have a good understanding of all auto verification systems, foreign body detection equipment i.e. metal detectors/xray, check weighers, seal integrity monitoring equipment ensure that all is set up prior to pre-production runs and provide support as required during operations for legal, customer code of practise and BRC compliance.
• Identify and issue documented Non-conformances, Concessions, Hold notifications. Manage the systems in place to ensure product and process is controlled. Ensure all Quarantined goods are managed appropriately and in a timely manner. Ensure monthly stock take of the QA hold locations is undertaken effectively.
• Ensure accuracy in sampling and submission data of all analysis testing under taken by the QA team, liaise with Labs as required to ensure compliance. Create and monitor compliance to monthly schedules.
• Ensure QA / production monitoring equipment is adequately stock controlled.
• Carry out routine validations in accordance with HACCP scheduled requirement, support with new process validations as required.
• Attendance at new product/process trials to ensure smooth transition for launch.
• To be a key member of the audit traceability team and internal auditing team
• Work positively and cross functionally with all departments to drive continuous improvement in product quality and QA systems.
• Follow QA procedures and systems to ensure compliance with required third party audit and customer code of practise standards. Fully understand and comply with all department and company policies and guidelines.
• Ensure all QA team training folders are up to date and training/development needs are highlighted and follow up to maintain an effective team. Create a QA training Matrix.
• Managing time, attendance, holiday, and communication of the QA team.
• Provide cover for the QA Technologist/technician tasks during absence as requested by Technical management.
• Provide cover for Factory Technical manager during periods of absence or as requested by Head of Technical
• Any other duties or project work may be assigned as deemed necessary to the needs of the business.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES AND MEASURABLES

• Ensure QA team are achieving compliance to schedules (Testing & Auditing) – Measured by KPI schedule compliance.
• Hold/Quarantine item management – Measured by Number remaining open / not dealt within required timescale.
• Support & train members of the QA team to improve performance – Measured by PDR performance.
• QA procedural internal, customer and third party audit compliance – QA area level of NC’s raised.
• This role has a responsibility for food safety, legality, brand integrity and Health and Safety

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

Minimum three-year experience in food industry QA / Technical / Food Safety role
Fluent English language (spoken & written)
Food Safety and HACCP qualification at Level 3 or higher (can be provided by site, required to pass)
Proficient in Microsoft applications, outlook, word, excel, PowerPoint etc.
Internal Auditing experience
Team management experience
Desirable:
Food industry high care/risk experience
Higher education qualification, ideally in Food Quality / Food Safety/ Science related area
Internal auditor formal training

• Support on a day-to-day basis the QA team and other operational departments regarding food safety, legality and quality challenges.
• Provide on a day-to-day basis task-based guidance to the QA team, communicating clear priorities whilst working in conjunction with the Factory Technical Manager and Technical Compliance team.
• Create and maintain dynamic auditing and schedules (GMP, CCP, Label and Date coding…) and create standardised auditing reports based on site’s work instructions.
• Ensure all audit results are clearly communicated to operations management and factory staff and that all non-conformances are closed out in an effective manner to prevent re-occurrence.
• Assist with the investigation of major food safety, quality or legality issues, obtaining full traceability information and effectively communicate findings to Technical management team. Conduct root cause analysis to determine actions required to resolve and prevent re-occurrence.
• Complete and/or review complaint investigations to ensure all necessary documents have been assessed and assist with process audits if required. Ensure investigations are carried out in conjunction with the relevant departments.
• Play an active role in the complaints reduction action plan working with operations to drive high product quality standards & complete improvement projects when required.
• Have a good understanding of all auto verification systems, foreign body detection equipment i.e. metal detectors/xray, check weighers, seal integrity monitoring equipment ensure that all is set up prior to pre-production runs and provide support as required during operations for legal, customer code of practise and BRC compliance.
• Identify and issue documented Non-conformances, Concessions, Hold notifications. Manage the systems in place to ensure product and process is controlled. Ensure all Quarantined goods are managed appropriately and in a timely manner. Ensure monthly stock take of the QA hold locations is undertaken effectively.
• Ensure accuracy in sampling and submission data of all analysis testing under taken by the QA team, liaise with Labs as required to ensure compliance. Create and monitor compliance to monthly schedules.
• Ensure QA / production monitoring equipment is adequately stock controlled.
• Carry out routine validations in accordance with HACCP scheduled requirement, support with new process validations as required.
• Attendance at new product/process trials to ensure smooth transition for launch.
• To be a key member of the audit traceability team and internal auditing team
• Work positively and cross functionally with all departments to drive continuous improvement in product quality and QA systems.
• Follow QA procedures and systems to ensure compliance with required third party audit and customer code of practise standards. Fully understand and comply with all department and company policies and guidelines.
• Ensure all QA team training folders are up to date and training/development needs are highlighted and follow up to maintain an effective team. Create a QA training Matrix.
• Managing time, attendance, holiday, and communication of the QA team.
• Provide cover for the QA Technologist/technician tasks during absence as requested by Technical management.
• Provide cover for Factory Technical manager during periods of absence or as requested by Head of Technical
• Any other duties or project work may be assigned as deemed necessary to the needs of the business