Job Location:  Lancaster, 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 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. 

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

Compliance:  Facilitates production activities to meet quality/safety specifications and regulatory standards by providing training, auditing, troubleshooting and incident management.

 

Training:  Develops programs in efforts 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 in accordance with Product Excellence Program (PEP)/ Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) / Environmental compliance procedures.

 

Incident Management:  Investigates and analyzes incidents to identify trends in product/quality safety information.  Initiates corrective actions and communicates findings as appropriate.  Uses various computer support systems (ex. SAP product tracking, Line Production Reporting (LPR), Trackwise Services (Quality Incident Management System), etc.) to help isolate / solve problems.

 

HACCP & Continuous Improvement:  Conducts regular internal audits which include 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.  Lead verification and validation activities for PEP and Global Food Safety Initiative compliance.

 

Project / New Product / Business Unit Support:  Implements continuous improvement through development of 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 non-routine assignments.  Shall support new product efforts as Quality representative from initial test runs to full-scale production, assuring integrity of systems.

 

Subject Matter Expert:  Incumbent is considered to be 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.  Sr. QA specialist would be expected to provide Plant wide leadership, project management, training and coaching, in the specified areas of expertise. 

 

Scope of Position:

Scope of interaction:  All plant departments / other plants / corporate teams / external contacts Coordination of activities:  Plant management level and below / corporate teams / external contacts Scope of involvement:  All production lines and plant processes / corporate / external contacts

 Minimum Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities:

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 required for handling and performing tests in an accurate manner.  Ability to record data as needed Strong problem solving/trouble shooting 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, Power Point, SAP (Recipe Management), Net Weight and Trackwise. Working knowledge of regulatory and quality system requirements – Food Safety, Hershey’s PEP, HACCP, Good Manufacturing Process (GMP), etc.

 

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

 

Education:  B.S. in Food Science, Microbiology, or related field or equivalent related experience.

Experience:  Minimum of 3+ years related experience. 5 years of experience preferred.

 

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