Senior QA Technologist - Kelso

In Australia, the J.R. Simplot Company's core operations are food manufacturing and agriculture, encompassing potato, vegetable, seafood and sauce operations. We supply a wide range of frozen, shelf-stable and chilled products to major retail and foodservice customers in Australia and New Zealand. The Simplot Global Food business includes 17 food manufacturing and processing sites, serving retail and foodservice customers in 37 countries, with 8,000 people across North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific. Globally, the J.R. Simplot Company employs 15,000 people, driving innovation and excellence across diverse industries.

Within the Australian market, we are a leading provider of quality, nourishing and sustainable food, focussed on creating meals that maximises value from the best Australian-grown produce and global seafood. Our iconic brands have been an integral part of Aussie life for generations, and include Leggo's, Birds Eye, Edgell, John West and Chiko.

Culture and Benefits

At Simplot, we are fueled by our purpose: We Contribute to Feeding Our World. We imagine a better future and set goals to reach it. We are committed to working as one Simplot and are guided by our shared values:
 

• Respect for Resources
• Spirit of Innovation
• Passion for People

We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. We care about creating an environment that promotes safety and wellbeing and where our people feel supported, respected and empowered. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all our team members.

Simplot is passionate about cultivating a future where good ideas and inspiring possibilities have the chance to grow. We want our team members to build exciting and fulfilling careers with us and offer professional and personal growth opportunities.

The Perks

 

• Annual incentive / bonus program
• Personal and professional development opportunities
• Fully supplied & laundered uniform, boots & PPE
• Company provided on-site soft tissue specialist appointments
• Income protection insurance provided
• Discounted health insurance options
• A domestic relocation package can be negotiated for the right candidate

About Our Role

 

• Operations based, senior Quality Assurance (QA) position
• Investigate, implement and drive QA initiatives within a food manufacturing environment
• Permanent full-time position, Kelso based

Here at Simplot Kelso we have an opportunity for a Senior Quality Assurance Technologist to join our site based Quality team.  Simplot Kelso is our seafood and snacking processing plant, producing approx. 50 tonnes of product daily (75 SKUs) for the retail and foodservice markets including Birds Eye, I&J and Captain's Catch branded products.  The site employs approx. 120 local employees, with approximately 95% of manufactured goods consisting of either Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) or Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) seafood.

Reporting to the QA Manager, this Monday to Friday role (day work) will contribute significantly to the implementation, maintenance and correct functioning of the facility's Quality Systems and Simplot's Food Safety requirements, in addition to acting as a 2IC in the Quality Manager's absence.

What You Will Do

 

• Lead improvement in First Time Quality (FTQ) and reduction of consumer complaints
• Be instrumental in the investigation, implementation and driving of quality processes and systems
• Participate in the management and review of HACCP plans and other support programs and will drive quality continuous improvement (CI) initiatives
• Work cross functionally to influence improvements across the site with key stakeholders, including the site leadership team
• Responsibility for the development of robust site hygiene and sanitation procedures as well as the maintenance of the environmental pathogen monitoring program
• Lead investigations into the overall quality program
• Production of Root Cause Analysis (RCA) documentation, challenge testing and presentation of findings
• Responsibility for review of GMP audits
• Validation of quality aligned process activities
• Lead & influence the building of Production Operator capabilities and procedures with respect to Qual