Supervisor, Quality Assurance - 1st shift Job Listing at Lassonde Pappas in Upper Deerfield Township, NJ (Job ID 3059)

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

This position, based in Seabrook, NJ, reports to the QA Manager and oversees quality assurance and control processes to ensure the highest product standards. Responsibilities include auditing QC activities and documentation, recommending and monitoring process improvements, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. This role collaborates with production teams to uphold quality standards, specifically for beverage and cranberry sauce production, and drives continuous improvement. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES (essential functions of the job) 
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Responsibilities include:

Quality Oversight & Compliance

• Implement and maintain quality assurance protocols for cranberry processing (sauce and pressing), ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Monitor QA processes through plant audits, paperwork reviews, and process checks.
• Conduct monthly Glass and Brittle Plastic audits.
• Participate in internal and external audits to ensure adherence to industry standards and customer expectations.
• Investigate plant-wide quality issues and provide troubleshooting support.

Process & Product Monitoring

• Oversee rework processes, including mod pallets, dump backs, and finished goods evaluations. Direct rework coordinators and assist with workflow improvements.
• Conduct analytical testing of raw materials, including cranberry and presscake, and finished products, evaluating results against specifications.
• Retrieve and analyze warehouse samples for customer complaints, missed operator samples, and sales orders.
• Manage the hold process by entering items into the QAD system, attaching hold tags, and maintaining hold logs.
• Perform product taste testing as needed.

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Work closely with processing and production teams to identify and resolve quality issues.
• Collaborate with Production Supervisors to drive quality improvements.
• Develop and implement process improvements to enhance product quality and efficiency.

Training & Documentation

• Train operators on quality assurance documentation and quality standards.
• Maintain accurate documentation of quality activities, including test results, inspections, and non-conformance reports.
• Educate production staff on quality assurance practices, food safety, and compliance requirements.

Facility & Equipment Management

• Conduct bi-weekly facility walk-throughs, document housekeeping standards, and share results with management.
• Manage calibration and troubleshooting of analytical equipment.
• Serve on the Food Safety and Housekeeping Audit Team and SQF Internal Audit Team.

Backup & Support

• Review and sign off on daily quality assurance paperwork, identifying and addressing quality gaps.
• Investigate customer complaints and document findings in the corporate database.
• Provide backup coverage for QA Technicians during vacations and absences.
• Oversee SQF activities in the absence of the QA Manager.

People Management 

• Maintains staff by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees; maintaining a safe, secure, and legal work environment; developing personal growth opportunities.
• Communicates job expectations; planning, monitoring, and assessing job results; coaching, and counseling employees; developing, coordinating, and enforcing systems, procedures, and productivity standards.
• Establishes strategic goals; identifying and evaluating trends; choosing a course of action; defining objectives; evaluating outcomes.
• Manage direct reports' schedules, timekeeping, and PTO approvals to ensure proper staffing and compliance with attendance policies.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Required Certifications

• Bachelor degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Agriculture, or a related field with five plus (5+) years of progressive leadership experience within Quality Assurance and Control within the food industry, preferable with a focus on fruit processing or canning; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Certifications:  PCQI, HACCP
• Better Processing Certification (BPC) or equivalent or the ability to become BPC certified within 6 months of hire

Minimum Skills and Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of processing and canning operations
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques and quality control methodologies
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a strong focus on attention-to-detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to partner effectively with cross-functional stakeholders
• Must have excellent time management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment
• The ability to work flexible hours, including weekends, may be necessary during peak production periods

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing customer, USDA, FDA, Organic, and SQF Audits
• Experience in report writing
• Additional professional certifications in quality such as ASQ certification are preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

This position requires sufficient physical ability to work in a production setting.

FREQUENT: Ability to talk and hear; ability to stand, walk, climb stairs, stoop, bend and/or crouch; push/pull; lift up to 50 pounds; use of hands and fingers to operate machinery/equipment and all manual and electronic equipment in area of responsibility.  Exposure to wet and humid conditions and fluctuations in ambient temperature (seasonal).

OCCASIONAL: Squatting, kneeling, ability to reach above and at shoulder height. Exposure to toxic and corrosive chemicals.

VISION: Ability to use close and distance vision, as well as color and peripheral vision with or without correction.  Must be able to visually detect obstacles and potential dangers in a fast-paced production environment involving high speed equipment and powered industrial lift equipment.

HEARING: Ability to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.  Exposure to noise levels from pumps, machinery, forklift traffic, bottle lines and exhaust fans.

This job description is not intended to contain a comprehensive list of the responsibilities that are required to successfully perform in this position.  Other duties as assigned are part of every job description.  The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential job functions.

Lassonde Pappas & Co., Inc provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.