Field Quality Specialist

Salary Range: $90,000 to $100,000

Make a Difference in YOUR Career!

Our vision is both simple and ambitious: to put our drinks on every table.  

We are the world’s largest bottler for retailers and A-brands.  Our products are distributed worldwide from our production sites in Europe and North America.  Although our own branding may not appear on the labels of the beverages we produce, there is a good chance you are reading this while sipping one of our drinks.  

Our ambition is to continually improve and it’s what keeps us at the top of our game.  We are solutions-based.  We are innovative.  We seek out new challenges and conquer them.  This is our company ethos, but it’s our people’s too:  Refresco is at the cutting edge of a fast-moving industry because we have passionate people pushing the boundaries of what’s best.  

Stop and think: how would YOU put our drinks on every table?  

Summary Description:

The Field Quality Specialist is responsible for serving as a key liaison between Corporate Quality, Product Development, Lab Services, and the manufacturing plants, and will work closely with the Plant Managers and Plant Quality Managers to implement, expand, and monitor the programs associated with food quality, food safety, and cost containment, and to assist with the introduction of new products, processes, and procedures.

 Essential Functions:

• Knowledge of FDA and GMP guidelines for food manufacturing facilities
• Knowledge in HACCP and GFSI (preferably SQF) principles
• Understanding of sanitation principles utilized in a food manufacturing facility
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and organizational skills with demonstrated ability to teach, motivate, and lead plant personnel
• Actively Participate in Support and Training activities related to Food Safety and Quality.
• Develop training program targeted for line associates and quality technicians that explains in unique and memorable ways the “why” of food safety programs.
• Review plant food safety and quality programs and practices to ascertain compliance to Refresco juice food safety and quality program, regulatory, and code requirements.
• Develop associate training programs for new programs, systems or products based on training received
• Work with groups involved in change management to develop appropriate food safety audit systems for new programs, systems, and product lines.
• Receive hands-on training in the key food safety areas of each facility: Receiving, Batching, Manufacturing, Sanitation, and Quality
• Support each manufacturing plant through frequent on-site visits.
• Coordinate calendar of visits and designated tasks with Corporate Quality and Plant and Plant Quality Managers.
• Execute Corporate Audit Program. Support and assist the primary plant participants during 3^rd party audits. Independently conduct routine Refresco Food Safety/Defense; GMP; and HACCP audits of the manufacturing plants, outside warehouses, co-packers, and suppliers. 
• Document and distribute audit results to facility and to Corporate Quality within one week after audit. Identify and prioritize audit deficiencies, request corrective actions.
• Review corrective actions submitted by facility and approve if appropriate. Develop plan to audit corrective action compliance on an ongoing basis. 
• Act as a training resource for the manufacturing facilities. Assist with Food Safety and Quality support and training at each facility
• Identify and communicate each facility’s Food Safety and Quality Best Practices, and work with other juice facilities to implement.
• Identify Food Safety and Quality roadblocks and restrictions at each facility and work closely with Plant Management and associates to develop action plans for improvement.
• Develop matrix to monitor and assess overall status of Refresco Food Safety and Quality Program at each facility. Using the Refresco Food Safety and Quality Program and audits codes as a guide, identify appropriate factors for the matrix, and issue results for each facility on a yearly basis.

• Identify all projects that must run under change management, and ensure the execution of the Change Management process occurs for each.
• Act as the Corporate Quality change management sponsor
• Using strong interpersonal and leadership skills work with a variety of functional areas including but not limited to manufacturing, engineering, quality, sanitation, warehousing to successfully implement and maintain programs and practices to support change management.
• Develop program to validate continuing compliance of Change Management activities
• Working within the department strategic plan, and in partnership with the Corporate Quality director, identify long-term plan and appropriate strategies biannually. Set goals and mileposts and monitor progress with Corporate Quality Director.
• Submit weekly report for Corporate Quality Director, using a standard format developed with the Director. Report will review status of current projects and activities and goals for coming week.
• Participate in weekly one-on-one conversation with Director to review weekly report, the strategic plan and goals, and to cascade information.
• Maintain personal location log on Refresco Net Quality calendar
• Participate in the weekly Quality conference call:
• Document and review past week’s activities and focus for coming week
• Discuss options to address any opportunities or roadblocks that have been encountered during the week
• Develop a training program for Plant Quality Managers prior to the implementation of new Corporate Quality Food Safety and Quality programs
• Assist Plant Quality Managers with new program training
• Implement program to monitor commercialization effectiveness of new formulas. Develop program to review process, data, and records from multiple product runs across facilities. Identify and communicate issues to PD and Quality.
• Implement improvement programs developed by PD and Quality, develop process to monitor effectiveness and communicate results to PD and Quality
• Maintain adherence to the budget goals
• Encourage the development of programs and corrective actions that address deficiencies in a cost effective manner.
• Support and participate in trouble-shooting activities associated with product quality issues. Ensure that at a minimum, the triggers defined in the CAPA policy are followed.
• Understand DMAIC tools and be able to assist CAPA teams in the DMAIC process
• Monitor CAPA timetables for compliance to promise dates
• Develop plan to validate and document validations of CAPA preventative actions after implementation
• Develop a method to organize plant CAPA documents and have them available for review by the manufacturing facilities.
• Document and communicate findings and results to Juice Quality team members and support identification and incorporation of Best Practices throughout the organization.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Knowledge of FDA and GMP guidelines for food manufacturing facilities
• Knowledge in HACCP and GFSI (preferably SQF) principles

• understanding of sanitation principles utilized in a food manufacturing facility
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and organizational skills with demonstrated ability to teach, motivate, and lead plant personnel
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects and lead action teams
• Strong oral and written skills, experience formulating and writing reports and procedures,
• Proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in food sciences or related degree preferred but no required
• 7-10 years of experience working in Quality Control or Quality Assurance

Working Conditions:

• Physical-Continuously standing or walking.
• Visual/Sensory-This position requires regular need to give moderate attention with one or two senses at a time.
• Work environment- Work and environment are very repetitive.
• Mental Stress- There is pronounced pressure from deadlines, production quotas, accuracy or similar demands.

Travel Requirements:

 0-75% travel maybe required

A Career with Refresco  

Refresco offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, which include:  

• Medical/dental/vision insurance   
• Life insurance   
• 401(k) savings plan with company match  
• Paid holidays and vacation   
• Well-being benefits  
• Discount programs  

Join Refresco TODAY and enjoy a rewarding CAREER!  

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