Sr Specialist Quality Assurance

Job Location: Hershey, PA

Summary:

Under Minimal guidance, the Quality Assurance Specialist's primary role is to serve as a liaison between Quality Assurance (QA) and Manufacturing. In this role the Sr. QA Specialist provides support to the manufacturing operations and depending on the shift may be the sole QA representative. QA responsibilities include ensuring compliance to all company and regulatory policies/procedures pertaining to product safety/quality. The position serves as the technical resource for Manufacturing and Engineering, providing leadership and guidance in the areas of new product startups, weight control, packaging, incident investigation and resolution, troubleshooting and other related matters. The incumbent also provides support to employee training, and product and process audits. The position provides QA support to the various Business Units across the plant. The Sr. QA Specialist must have a sound working knowledge of Hershey's quality system requirements. Some laboratory duties are required.

In addition, the Senior Quality Assurance Specialist:

• Compliance: Facilitates production activities to meet quality/safety specifications and regulatory standards by providing training, auditing, troubleshooting, and incident management.
• Training: Develops programs to educate and train the workforce on food quality and safety issues. Conducts training specifically for plant employees and regularly follows up with employees to ensure that they understand the requirements of their jobs.
• Auditing: Conducts audits per Product Excellence Program (PEP)/ Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) / Environmental compliance procedures.
• Incident Management: Investigates and analyzes incidents to identify product/quality safety information trends. Initiates corrective actions and communicates findings as appropriate. Uses various computer support systems (ex., SAP product tracking, Line Production Reporting (LPR), QIMS System (Quality Incident Management System), etc.) to help isolate/solve problems and develop corrective and preventative actions.
• HACCP & Continuous Improvement: Conducts regular internal audits, including elements of HACCP and PEP systems, documents and reports findings, and follows up on non-conformances. Conducts routine audits and equipment inspections after cleaning or maintenance work. Reviews control point documentation, paper, and/or electronic. Leads verification and validation activities for PEP and Global Food Safety Initiative compliance.
• Project / New Product / Business Unit Support: Implements continuous improvement by developing PEP program elements such as Food Safety Plans, Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP), HACCP, Allergen prevention plan, weight control, and consumer complaint reduction. Under minimal supervision, acts as QA representative on multi-functional project teams or on non-routine assignments. Shall support new product efforts as Quality representative from initial test runs to full-scale production, assuring the integrity of systems.
• Subject Matter Expert: Will be considered a subject matter expert in more than one of the following areas: Packaging, Net Weight, Recipe Management, Processing, Pest Control, Sanitation, Training, managing Consumer Complaints, etc. The candidate would be expected to provide plant-wide leadership, project management, training, and coaching in the specified areas of expertise.

Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge of federal and state food industry regulations.
• Understanding of sanitation and pest control practices
• Working Knowledge of Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards
• Strong computer, document management skills, and attention to detail
• Ability to effectively communicate in verbal and written form
• Ability to work flexible hours
• Dexterity is required for handling and performing tests accurately.
• Ability to record data as needed
• Strong problem-solving/troubleshooting skills
• Solid understanding of a production/manufacturing environment
• Strong auditing/assessment skills
• Strong leadership skills and ability to influence all management levels, enabling the direction of activities of teams of employees that do not have direct reporting in this role.
• Proficiency in computer programs/software such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, SAP (Recipe Management), Net Weight, and QIMS.
• Working knowledge of regulatory and quality system requirements - Food Safety, Hershey's PEP, HACCP, Good Manufacturing Process (GMP), etc.

Minimum Requirements and Education:

• Education: B.S. in Food Science, Microbiology, or related field required.
• Experience: Minimum of 3+ years related experience. 5 years of experience preferred.

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