A NEW JOB IS BREWING!
At Ferris Coffee & Nut Company, we are dedicated to creating moments of joy and connection through our products. As a family-owned company with over a century of expertise in crafting gourmet nuts, trail mixes, snacks, and coffee, we are seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive Lead Food Safety and Quality Assurance Technician. This role serves as a technical leader on the production floor by providing guidance to the Quality Assurance team, supporting production, driving compliance with food safety and quality standards, and acting as a key resource for quality systems, investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
IN A NUTSHELL
Quality Assurance & Control
Coordinate and perform audits on finished and intermediate products, processes, and systems as required.
Perform HACCP checks, scale, and magnet verifications, customer return evaluations, and other duties as assigned to support the prerequisite and HACCP programs.
Monitor and document production lines are following specifications of each product.
Inspect and verify cleaning of equipment and areas.
Pull samples for each product ran, label, and store.
Place non-conforming products on hold when quality or food safety standards are not met.
Assist Quality Assurance Team with non-conformance documentation. Process, investigate, and close Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), ensuring appropriate documentation, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and follow-up are completed.
Complete audits and analyses as required supporting the needs of the Production Team improvement efforts.
Provide summary feedback to the Quality and Production Management Team on key measurements related to program assignments.
Provide technical support and day-to-day guidance to Quality Technicians, serving as a resource for quality-related questions and production support.
Food Safety & Compliance
Provide Production Team Members and Team Leads with technical resources in areas of product quality and food safety during on-going food manufacturing, as well as in noncompliance situations.
Ensure food safety regulations are being followed at all times.
Enforce GMP’s during production processes.
Follow safety, sanitation, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Good Laboratory Practices when performing tests. (ATP swabbing).
Perform pre-operational inspection at the beginning of line start-up.
Provide technical support in the fact-finding process related to non-compliance and HACCP violations.
Lead higher-level food safety and quality investigations involving customer complaints, product holds, HACCP deviations, quality concerns, and regulatory issues.
Conduct root cause analysis and partner with cross-functional teams to implement and verify corrective and preventative actions (CAPAs).
Quality Management System (QMS)
Execute and maintain elements of the Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with company and SQF requirements.
Maintain controlled quality documents, records, procedures, and work instructions.
Support verification of corrective actions and ongoing compliance with SQF and food safety standards.
Provide sensory analysis for Quality Management System (QMS)
Production Support
Review and close Manufacturing Orders, ensuring all quality documentation is complete and accurate prior to order completion.
Complete Manufacturing Order closure in the ERP system (Odoo) after verifying all required quality documentation, production records, and approvals are complete.
Partner with Production and Procurement Team to resolve documentation discrepancies.
SQF Program Support
Serve as the designated backup to the SQF Practitioner.
Support SQF certification activities, including internal audits, documentation, verification activities, and corrective actions.
Participate in SQF program maintenance and continuous improvement initiatives.
Training & Guidance
Provide appropriate guidance and training on GMP’s and qualify systems to Production Team members when necessary.
Coach and mentor Quality Technicians by providing technical guidance and support during daily operations.
Assist with onboarding and training of new Quality Technicians.
Drive a harmonious and contrastive working atmosphere by demonstrating (through words and actions) a positive, cooperative, and supportive attitude toward team members and company policies.
Continuous Improvement & Project Support
Assist the Quality Assurance Team with continuous improvement and quality system development projects.
Lead quality improvement initiatives related to food safety, quality systems, and operational efficiencies.
Analyze quality trends and recommend improvements to reduce defects and improve compliance.
Administrative & Inventory Management
Decision Making & Impact
Decisions made by this individual may significantly impact on manufacturing cost, production efficiencies, and customer satisfaction.
This position is expected to exercise independent judgement when evaluating quality concerns, determining product disposition, managing NCRs, supporting investigations, and escalating significant food safety issues as appropriate.
PERFECT INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS
- Minimum 3-5 years of manufacturing experience required, food processing desired.
- Minimum 2 years of Quality Assurance or Food Safety experience preferred.
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes, GMP’s, food safety, and lab techniques preferred.
- Working knowledge of SQF, HACCP, Quality Management Systems, root cause analysis and corrective/preventative action processes preferred.
- Flexibility of work hours and all shift schedules when necessary.
- Ability to be on their feet for extended periods of time (8 hours or more at a time)
- This individual must possess strong leadership skills, excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work with a computer (proficient in Microsoft Office applications).
- Must be able to communicate technical, scientific, and regulatory information, both written and verbally.
- Must have strong communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to make presentations, facilitate meetings, look for root cause, and provide training.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
Compensation: $25.00-$27.00/hour
Schedule: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 2:30pm, with possible approved overtime during the busier season.
PERKS THAT KEEP YOU THRIVING
- Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Long-Term and Short-Term Disability and Life Insurance
- Heath Savings Account with a company match
- Employee Assistance Programs
- 401k retirement plan with company match on a vesting schedule.
- 3 weeks of Paid Time Off [PTO] Through Accrual
- Paid Parental Leave
- 8 Paid Holidays
- Employee Cafe Discount
Physical Demands & Work Environment
This position requires frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, twisting, and climbing throughout the workday. The employee must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time (8 or more hours per shift) and occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 40 pounds. Frequent use of hands and fingers is required to handle products, operate testing equipment, complete inspections, and use a computer.
The work is performed primarily in a food manufacturing environment with regular exposure to production equipment, moving mechanical parts, forklifts, varying temperatures, moderate to high noise levels, and food-grade cleaning and sanitation chemicals. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including hairnets, beard nets (if applicable), safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and other required safety equipment, must be worn while in designated production areas.
This position requires regular entry into production, warehouse, and storage areas where tree nuts, peanuts, coffee, seeds, spices, and other food allergens are processed, packaged, and stored. Employees in this role will have routine exposure to airborne allergens, including tree nuts and peanuts. Individuals with severe food allergies should carefully consider this work environment before accepting the position.
EEO Statement
Ferris Coffee & Nut Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer that strives to provide an inclusive work environment. We believe in providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment, and we are committed to equal employment opportunities for all. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
