Food Safety Quality Engineer

Position Summary

Reporting to the facility Quality Manager, the Food Safety Quality Engineer  is responsible for providing leadership and direction with regards to Food Safety to all plant departments. The employee will oversee the implementation of the facility’s food safety plan and assure that the facility complies with the current version of FSSC 22000. With minimal guidance, the employee will maintain awareness of changes to the food regulatory environment and any emerging microorganisms of concern. 
Within the Quality Department the employee will lead investigations into QI bag failures and assist with determination of product disposition based on findings. Incumbent will also work with the quality team to analyze trends of data to look for possible testing issues.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides support for areas such as CAPA, Nonconformance Investigations and Audits.
• Leads the plant Food Safety Team in a manner which will ensure compliance with regulatory, quality system, and customer requirements. 
• As the Food Safety leader for the facility, work with the facility Quality Manager to drive implementation of the Global Food Safety Policy and improvements needed to meet final FSMA regulatory requirements.
• Initiate review of batch records after packaging is complete. This includes review of batch records for completeness, reconciliation of labels to confirm accurate manufacturing and best by date, and coordination with production to correct issues or missing data.
• Ensure completion of quality index bags. Review and investigate failures. As needed, step in to complete QI bags to expedite release of material.
• Conduct gap assessment and establish define, develop and implement preventive control requirements and monitoring requirements to comply to FSMA regulations.
  Responsible for FSSC 22000 Certification and audits related to that certification.
• Support strategic plans for improvement of plant and processes to increase efficiency and reduce costs while ensuring that Quality, cGMP and Food Safety are appropriately considered.
• Ability to achieve quality and food safety results consistently despite obstacles.
• Maintain the site’s prerequisite programs.
• Cultivate a high regard for cGMP and food safety as a leader who trains employees to create awareness.
• Lead incident reviews to investigate and correct microbiological, physical and chemical product non-conformities and provide recommendation regarding process design, product disposition and continuous improvement.
• As needed, lead HARPC, Food Safety risk assessment for all new lines and as needed to update Food Safety Policy.
• Supports the Quality Manager in continuous improvement activities of the Quality and Food Safety Management System.
• In conjunction with Quality Control Coordinator, administers Aseptic Sampling Training to newly hired employees.
• With support from Management System Specialist, lead customer complaint investigation and report preparation.
• Analyze data, as needed, to look for abnormal data trends and assist in root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Participate, as required, in special assignments such as process review and cGMP, Food Safety process improvements.
• Acts as back up for initiation of Micro lab FIRs when supervisor is out of office.
• Attend meetings as required but Quality Manager.

Specialized/Technical Knowledge or Required Skills

• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in Food Microbiology, Process Development and Quality and Food Safety Management Systems.
• Bachelor of Science Degree i.e. Process Engineering, Chemistry, Microbiology, Food Safetyrequired; Certified HACCP manager preferred; Certified in Food Preventive Controls preferred.
• Knowledge of food microbiology, good laboratory practice, food safety controls, manufacturing processes, sanitary design, food law, cGMP, auditing, troubleshooting and microbiological test procedures is required.
• Experienced with implementing management systems in the CPG Industry-ISO 9001, 22000, 22002 background with accomplishments in design and implementation.
• Demonstrated leadership in QA, Quality, and Food Safety Management Systems, New Product Development and Food or Pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Ability to lead constructive, positive change within a plant environment, to create awareness in Food Safety regulations, and execute programs to achieve goals.
• Strong computer skills with proven proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and flowcharting software.
• ASQ Quality Engineer Certification or ASQ Certified Black or Green Belt preferred.
• Able to display proficiency in developing mutual respect with operators and mechanics to execute programs and achieve goals.
• Ability to be flexible with work hours, shifting priorities, and ambiguity.
• Detail oriented with ability to identify critical data and distill into business-focused technical recommendations.
• Strong knowledge of FSMA Preventive Controls requirement and development of Food Safety Plans with experience driving corrective actions of food safety issues.
• Ability to lead projects. Including monitoring progress against goals, identifying issues or roadblocks, and taking corrective actions early.

Total Rewards

CP Kelco complies with all local/state regulations requiring salary range transparency.

Any offered salary is determined based on relevant factors such as an applicant's skills, performance, job responsibilities, prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications and market considerations.