Sunrise Farms Looking for Quality Assurance Specialist at Taber, Alberta, Canada Full Time

From our hatcheries to our “ready to eat” state of the art cooking facilities we service customers in the retail, food service and industrial sectors. We are proud of our support of the Canadian farm as well as our investment in the latest equipment and technologies at our facilities across Canada. Our test kitchens have the most current cooking equipment replicating that used in commercial establishments, to facilitate precision testing. This way you know the product you receive will perform to your expectations. We are proud of our long-standing partnerships with family-owned Canadian chicken farmers to produce high quality products.

Role:

To support the Quality/Plant team in ensuring products meet the quality standards and food safety requirements of the Company and its Customers. Provide sound leadership and support to plant employees. Assist with the implementation, monitory and follow-up of quality assurance strategies and HACCP programs in all aspects of the production process.

To assist with implementation of technical oversight programs that help maintain food safety and ensure compliance with regulatory standards for customers, including assisting with risk-based facility audits, providing guidance related to food safety practices and over all food safety compliance.

Responsibilities:

• Participating in written program review and execution of policies, SOPs and SSOPs.
• Regular revisions to HACCP programs and Operating Programs, including regulatory requirements, customer specifications, and process environment.
• Assisting in resolving deviations & supplier non-conforming product issues.
• Ensure all microbiology sampling and testing of product and equipment is done according to government, customer, and company requirements and that they are done on a timely basis and followed up on.
• Train and assist staff in GMPs, and program monitoring.
• Maintain Product Specification Program including product specifications, labels, nutritional info, approvals and manufacturing SOPs.
• In-depth involvement in product development, sample preparation, generating NFTs and preparing internal specifications for new products.
• Maintain CFS Label information and complete the information for all new products.
• Ensuring all trackers are functional– maintenance & updating of all data trackers e.g. hold & release, work orders, specification tracker, training matrix, USDA lab results tracker, MSM lab result Tracker etc.
• Maintain/coordinate inventory and order supplies from 3M, Cole-Parmer and Food Safety Alliance.
• Prepare monthly continuous improvement reports and perform trend analysis on customer complaints, shelf life etc.
• Update and submit reports, such as verifications, CCP procedures, pre-shipment, and foreign inclusion .
• Prepare monthly KFC KPI reports and upload on STARnet, and Complete monthly 7-Eleven and Joey’s reports.
• Perform six-monthly, quarterly, and other applicable KFC Trainings for QA Technicians and production employees.
• Ensure proper implementation of pest control program and supplier approval program including all carrier agreements and contracts.
• In-charge of non-HACCP change management tracker and all non-HACCP forms and work instructions, for example, seasoning room instructions; instructions on maintaining equipment like scales, thermometers etc.; sensory evaluation instructions etc.
• Take meeting minutes during QA / HACCP team meetings and generate action plan items.
• Work closely with maintenance team for equipment and facility maintenance.
• Perform Monthly Facility Inspection Audits.
• Expedite appropriate Corrective Action and Preventative Measures: any deviation in the HACCP System requires taking corrective actions and preventative measures. This may include controlling product, retraining employees or revising the HACCP System to prevent the deviation.
• Maintain animal welfare program, including monthly self-audits, on-site verification of monitors, relevant personnel training.
• Collect boiler treatment reports (Pace Chem), review and file them in the system.
• Collect all contractor agreements from maintenance.
• Update LOGs from Sabre, Cimco and JAX etc.
• Complete Food Defense Checklist on annual basis.
• Perform updates on HACCP related SOPs and forms as required.
• Back-up for HACCP Coordinator.
• Back-up of QA Technicians when required.
• Proactive involvement with audit preparations.
• Participates to maintain the requirements on food safety, quality and defense.
• Carry out other duties as assigned e.g. incoming PAA concentration check.

Requirements:

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and administrative leadership skills.
• Proven ability to supervise, provide support and coach.
• Strong verbal and written literacy, strong proficiency with Microsoft Office systems.
• Proven ability to work effectively as a team member.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving abilities.
• Highly detail oriented with excellent organizational skills.
• Able to prioritize multiple obligations, and manage time effectively.
• Adaptable to change, handles pressure well, adjusts plans to meet changing demands.
• Accepts accountability, stays focused and calm under pressure.
• Meets attendance/punctuality requirements.
• Makes decisions systematically, under pressure and can make difficult/unpopular choices.

Education:

• Completion of Vocational/Technical specialty certification/licensure program in a related field.
• University degree or college diploma in related discipline preferred.
• HACCP Certification is preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of 2-3 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Working knowledge of HACCP and GFSI systems and applicable regulatory agencies.
• Proven leader and team motivator with leadership skills.
• Thorough understanding of statistical process controls, HACCP,SQF, BRC, MMOP, SFCR and GFSI
• Knowledge of customer complaint investigation and resolution process.
• In depth knowledge of local, provincial and federal GMP requirements pertaining to food manufacturing.
• Proficient with MS Suite products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required as well as with label system software.

At Sunrise Farms we are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or any other identifying characteristic are encouraged to apply.