Quality Specialist

Job Location: ​Grand Prairie​

Want to make an impact?

This position is responsible for all graining room and distribution quality operational activities which includes sampling and testing incoming contract manufactured and Ferrara manufactured products, including finished and semi-finished goods at the Ferrara Distribution Center. This role will frequently perform quality sampling, temperature, and humidity checks, hold and releases on existing materials within the facility and facilitate nonconforming product disposition. The distribution quality and graining specialist will be directly responsible for all graining room activities. 
 

Ways you will make a difference

-Conducts Incoming material inspections for quality parameters (for example product texture, color, weight, correct label and graphics, etc.)  On contract manufactured and purchased finished and semi-finished goods to ensure timely availability of products for outbound shipments. Identifies all non-conforming products and leads activities to release product for shipment.
-Facilitates Hold and Release of Ferrara products. Leads activities to ensure proper release or destruction of products as determined by their investigation.
- Collaborates with third party logistics or onsite re-packer on sampling or rework of non-conforming products and leads in the resolution of any issues.
- Performs monthly documented internal audit on site adherence to Ferrara external manufacturing food safety & quality standards for shipping and receiving practices, personal hygiene, sanitary practices, product storage and handling practices, facility maintenance and chemical, including allergen control. Works with DC leadership to ensure timely closure of any non-conformances. Leads in the development of effective CAPA’s.
- Creates and maintains inspection plans and results criteria within SAP for new contract manufactured or purchased products for the site.
- Determines appropriate SAP product release Usage Decision through SAP Quality Management Module in an agile manner.
- Performs daily temperature and humidity checks for the graining room.
- Assists in the execution of all graining room plans and projects.
- Identifies, tracks and escalates vendor non-conformances within SAP Quality Management Module. Leads in the effective resolution of issues with clear identification RCA and implementation of CAPA’s.
- Leads direct quality to quality contacts with contract manufacturing, contract packaging and repacking vendors to resolve issues and non-conformances as needed
- Understands and demonstrates the company’s core mission, vision and values.
- Leads in the effective resolution of any issues or non-conformances with onsite re-packer for first runs and other Ferrara product escalations from the onsite re-packer.
- Coordinate and collaborate with third party logistics team for all traceability and recall functions as needed.
- Acts as a backup to quality coordinators at other distribution center locations with light travel as necessary.
- Acts as site lead to conduct internal audits and non-conformities/corrective actions within Pilgrim Total Quality Management system.
-Encourages and exemplifies personal safety throughout all daily activities.
-Monitors and reports all graining room equipment’s issues to the supervisor for prompt escalations and resolution.
- Implement SAP QM inspection and release process improvements at all warehouse locations.
- Initiate and administer monthly building and fabrication audits for the DC in the pilgrim audit program.
-Collate and analyze data on DC and Co-man activities to lead in continues improvement decision-making.
- Follow-up on all DC non-conformances and also ensuring that corrective actions are well administered.
- Conducts audits of Ferrara suppliers across their designated state. Leads and approves results of audits with effective RCA and CAPA’s.
- Leads and drives the successful completion of assigned KPI’s at location.

Skills that will make you successful

1. Knowledge of HACCP and HARPC requirements for food facilities. PCQI training preferred. 
2. Understands and can apply basic food safety principles. 
3. Previous experience with SAP. SAP QM experience preferred. 
4. Strong written & verbal communication skills.
5. Must be able to work well alone and with a cross functional team. Autonomous/Self-starter personality and work ethic. 
5. Computer software skills to include Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Strong SAP/SAP QM experience preferred. 
6. Must be able to frequently lift cases of product up to 35 lbs. 

Experiences that will support your success

A 4-year degree in Sciences or Engineering or equivalent experience within a food quality manufacturing or warehousing environment is required for this positi