POSITION SUMMARY:
The Quality Assurance Documentation Specialist performs a critical role in ensuring our products meet the highest quality standards through meticulous documentation management. Working as part of the QA team, this role is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining document procedures to ensure all company documentation complies with regulations and internal quality control practices.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Documentation Management:
o Develop, implement, and maintain documentation procedures and systems to track quality control processes, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and quality records.
o Organize and manage documentation related to product specifications, quality tests, inspection reports, and compliance documentation.
o Review documents for accuracy and completeness.
o Request documentation from ingredient suppliers and updates internal records.
· Regulatory Compliance:
o Support all HACCP, Food Safety, Food Defense regulations and other programs in compliance with FSMA and other regulatory guidelines.
o Comply with GMP’s and various other site-wide policies and procedures.
o Stay abreast of industry regulations and standards (e.g., ISO, FDA, GMP) relevant to our products and processes.
o Ensure all documentation meets regulatory requirements and company standards, facilitating audits and inspections, as necessary.
o Support Non-GMO and Kosher programs.
· Quality Control Support:
o Collaborate with Quality Assurance (QA) and Production teams to ensure accurate documentation of quality control activities throughout the manufacturing process.
o Assist in the development and implementation of quality control procedures and protocols.
o Develop and maintain appropriate department quality metrics to monitor set targets. Report on metrics as needed.
o Support the Customer Service team by taking in customer complaints and concerns and then filing these for review in the correct logs.
o Work with QA team to ensure that all raw materials, ingredients, packaging and finished goods specifications are current.
o Is a direct assistant to the QA and Safety Manager.
· Continuous Improvement:
o Identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency in documentation management, recommending and implementing solutions as needed.
o Participate in cross-functional teams to address quality issues, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventative actions.
· Training and Communication:
o Provide training and guidance to employees on documentation best practices, ensuring understanding and adherence to established procedures.
o Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders to disseminate information, address concerns, and foster a culture of quality consciousness.
· Safety:
o Perform all duties in a safe manner, follow and understand all safety rules as listed within the company safety manual, Good Manufacturing Practices, standard operating procedures, work instructions, training, and OSHA compliance.
· Production:
o Provide front line support to manufacturing and QA, working with the shift teams, focusing on manufacturing each product safely, on time, in compliance with the product instructions and quality requirements.
o Function as a backup for the Quality Assurance Technicians and assist as needed.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
· Proven experience, 3-5 years in a similar role within the manufacturing industry, with a focus on documentation management and quality assurance.
· Strong understanding of quality management systems, regulatory requirements, and industry standards (GMP Practices, SQF auditing).
· Proficiency in document control software and MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
· Excellent attention-to-detail, organizational skills, and ability to multitask in a demanding environment.
· Effective communication and people skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and levels of the organization.
· Certification in quality management (e.g., Certified Quality Auditor, Certified Quality Technician) is a plus.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here 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 with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· Medium to heavy physical requirements including prolonged sitting, standing, walking for extended periods of time.
· Possess manual dexterity necessary to operate equipment and handle product appropriately by use of hands, fingers, arms, legs, back.
· Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
· Ability to give regular communications in person, writing, or by phone.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
· Office Setting: QA documentation specialists often work in an office environment 50%-60% of the time.
· Collaborative Spaces: may work closely with QA Techs, production managers and supervisors, and other team members. Collaborative spaces like meeting rooms or online collaboration tools are often utilized for discussions and brainstorming sessions.
· Documentation Tools: Expect to see a variety of documentation tools such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), SharePoint, or other project management and documentation platforms. Proficiency in these tools is often required.
· Testing Environments: Will work in testing environments, where observation of product functionality, testing of doughs, or other ingredients may be needed. Documentation of test results required.
· Production Floor: Large floor space where machinery and assembly lines are located, organized into different sections for various stages of production.
· Safety Measures: Safety is paramount in production environments. This includes safety PPE such as hairnets, beard nets, gloves, ear protection, and non-slip shoes. Additionally, safety protocols, emergency procedures, and regular safety inspections are standard practice.
· Noise and Environmental Factors: Production areas can be noisy due to the operation of machinery and equipment. In the production area, employee may be exposed to dust, flour, chemicals, or other environmental factors due to the nature of the production process.
FOOD QUALITY, SAFETY, AND SECURITY:
· Review written food safety plan that outlines procedures and practices to ensure safe food handling.
· Stop production, if necessary, to correct food safety issues, quality issues, or safety problems.
· Identify and record any problems relating to food safety, quality of the product, processes, quality system or safety system.
· Maintain and follow cleaning and sanitation procedures to ensure healthy hygiene.
· Contribute to continuous improvement to seek ways to improve processes, products, and services.
· Inform management personnel of any food safety or quality issues or of any processes which become noncompliant with specified requirements.
AAP AND EEO STATEMENT:
Westminster Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Westminster Foods believes diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as a company, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Experience level:
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Holidays
- Monday to Friday
- Overtime
- Weekends as needed
Work setting:
- In-person
- Manufacturing facility
- Office
Experience:
- Manufacturing: 1 year (Preferred)
Shift availability:
Ability to Commute:
- Rutland, VT 05701 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Rutland, VT 05701: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person