Quality Assurance Specialist

Sunrise Farms is a group of companies with primary focus in the poultry industry.
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 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.

Schedule : Monday to Friday, starting at 1pm.

Responsibilities :
• Participating in written program review and execution of Policies, SOPs, Work Instructions
• 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 performing tests and back up if needed.
• 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 all data trackers e.g. Hold & Release, Work Orders, Specification Tracker, Training Matrix, Lab Results Tracker etc.
• Maintain/coordinate inventory and order supplies for the internal lab testing.
• Prepare monthly Continuous Improvement Reports and perform trend analysis on customer complaints, shelf life etc.
• Prepare monthly KPI reports and any other customer specific reporting data.
• Perform regular and refresher training sessions with QA Technicians and production staff.
• Ensure proper implementation of pest control program and supplier approval program including all carrier agreements and contracts.
• Take Meeting Minutes during QA team meetings and generate Action Plan Items.
• Work closely with maintenance team on work order completion for equipment and facility maintenance.
• Perform Monthly Facility Inspection Audits.
• Conduct monthly self-audits, on-site verification of monitors, relevant personnel training.
• Collect all contractor agreements from maintenance.
• 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 in maintaining the requirements on food safety, quality and defense.
• Carry out other duties as assigned.

Requirements :
• Completion of Vocational/Technical specialty certification/licensure program in a related field
• University degree or college diploma in related discipline preferred
• A minimum of 2-3 years’ experience in a similar role
• Working knowledge of HACCP and GFSI standard and Safe Food for Canadian regulations
• Proven leader and team motivator with Leadership skills
• Thorough understanding of statistical process controls
• Knowledge of customer complaint investigation and resolution process
• In depth knowledge of local, provincial and federal GMP requirements pertaining to food manufacturing
• Proficiency with MS Suite products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required as well as with label system software
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and administrative leadership skills
• Proven ability to supervise, provide support and coach
• Proven ability to work effectively as a team member
• Highly detail oriented with excellent organizational skills
• Able to prioritize multiple obligations, and manage time effectively
• Excellent mathematical skills
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office systems
• Adaptable to change, handles pressure well, adjusts plans to meet changing demands
• Critical thinking and decision making abilities, being able to make difficult choices under pressure

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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.

Please note that the expected new hire salary range provided is derived from a group of like roles within Sunrise Farms. The final offer amount for this role will be dependent on geographical region, applicable experience, and skillset of the candidate.