Quality Coordinator - Columbus, NE

Job Description

Quality Coordinator - Columbus, NE

Essential Job Functions
Coordinates quality assurance procedures and policies of the company, establishing and performing testing procedures designed to maintain a high level of product quality. Coordinate daily lab functions, operate as the subject matter expert or assist team members in finding guidance to solve complex quality issues that arise in operations and the quality department on a daily basis. This assignment will include final approval of finished product, feedback on employee performance, and vender/instrumentation management. The Coordinator working with the Quality Superintendent and Quality Manager will delegate workload to other team members as needed and maintain open communications sharing department KPI progress including consumable stock levels, and technician performance.

Education/Training

• Strong knowledge of corn industry laboratory, wet and/or dry milling operations or related industry laboratory/operations
• Extensive safety training
• Technical, chemical or managerial degree
• HACCP certified
• FSSC 22000 Internal Auditing
• Communication training
• High School Diploma or equivalent (required)
• 2-4 year science degree (strongly preferred)

• Ability to mentor (coach, counsel, and nurture employees)
• Strong organizational and communication skills, and must be self-motivated
• Ability to team build, train, and work on multiple tasks concurrently
• Willingness to assume and learn new responsibilities
• Proven housekeeping and sanitation skills (MSS)
• Demonstrated troubleshooting skills and willingness to work overtime when necessary
• Accurate record keeping skills
• Trained in laboratory functions - Ethanol, Mill/Feed, Sweetener, Sensory, Microbiological, day and shift positions.  Demonstrates proficiency in all areas and has completed all applicable Analyst-in-Training programs.
• Participates in the training and re-training of technicians on procedures and equipment.  May provide work direction to less experienced lab technicians as required. Provides technical support to Lab Technicians and Operations Personnel. Participates in all lab related meetings and training.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the production processes and willingly makes recommendations to operators and Management in order to achieve product quality.
• Has an understanding of lab instrumentation and software.  Able to perform non-routine maintenance on lab equipment and able to minimize equipment downtime.  Diagnoses problems and makes recommendations for repair/replacement of equipment. Maintains calibration programs for all laboratory equipment.
• Documents results of all testing procedures and promptly notifies supervision and processing departments of any necessary adjustments to operating parameters.  Maintains records of special testing and inputs data into applicable computer systems in a timely manner. Maintains samples of tested product in order to confirm test results when necessary.
• Monitors master manufacturing plan deviation ranges and provides immediate notification to management regarding deviations from established parameters.
• Responsible for assisting shift technicians with the analytical testing, HACCP verification, approval for product release, and the generation of Certificates of Analysis for all applicable loaded finished products.

• Responsible for daily approval of finished product rail available for shipment.  Notifies management with regard to product quality issues prior to approval of product for shipment.
• Able to modify, create, or develop new procedures based on valid reference methodology.  Assists with the writing and revising of laboratory SOP’s.
• Assists with daily, non-scheduled, assignments as needed.  
• Maintains a neat and clean working area at all times.  Maintains clean equipment, returns equipment to storage areas when not in use, promptly cleans up spills.
• Maintains adequate supplies used for testing procedures and notifies supervision of the need to re-order such supplies in a timely manner.
• Actively participates with members of management and immediate co-workers in morning production meetings and toolbox meetings.
• Works primarily a day shift position but will provide overtime coverage as needed, including shift coverage. 
• Maintains awareness of and adheres to all FDA, GMP, BATF, EPA, OSHA, and employer standards and guidelines; serving as an active member of area GMP and Food Safety Internal Audit Teams.
• Member of lab safety team, conducting safety audits of laboratory areas.
• Familiarizes themselves with the hazards in their work area and