Senior Specialist, Quality Assurance

Your Opportunity as the Senior Specialist, QualityThe Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for implementation of the JMS Quality programs to ensure that food safety, quality, quality, sanitation, and food defense expectations are exceeded at the plant. The QA Specialist plays a critical role in maintaining Food Safety and Quality Systems to ensure audit readiness. The role works closely with operations to provide the knowledge, planning, implementation, and support necessary to maintain the food safety and quality expected by our customers and consumers. This position is a core member of the audit team for Corporate, third-party certification, and regulatory audits including sanitation processes, GMP processes, and Integrated Pest Management. The Quality Assurance Specialist leads activities to support the plant in ensuring compliance with all relevant standards and to ensure adherence to the Food Safety Plan and JMS standards.Location: Topeka, KSWork Arrangements: 100% on-site, Monday through FridayWillingness to work flexible hours including nights, weekends, and/or holidays as neededIn This Role You WillWork with production to manage and build upon existing Quality, HACCP/FSMA, and other Food Safety programs in the plant to assure regulatory compliance of facility, equipment, and plant practicesDrive continuous improvement in all plant Food Safety Programs, Quality Systems, and sanitationLead the Food Safety Team and be a member of FSMA/Food Defense teams to ensure food safety and quality are identified, maintained, and improved uponManage pre-operational verification, including the use and monitoring of visual inspection procedures of production equipmentOwn Food Safety (FSMA/Preventive Controls) and Food Safety systems and Proficy items related to Process QualityProvide coaching to plant operations on food safety, quality systems, and day-to-day quality issuesUnderstand all quality tests performed by operators and how to analyze the dataTrain all full-time employees in the areas of FSMA/Food Safety, Sanitation, Statistical Process Control, and GMPsPrioritize and coordinate sanitation activities and schedules to ensure completion of job assignmentsReview SSOPs, maintain Master Sanitation Schedule compliance, and develop focused improvement processes to exceed minimum requirementsDirect integrated pest management programsAssist QA Manager in Food Safety, Quality, and Sanitation processes and improvementsDrive out defects in the process through collaboration with production teams and leadership to prevent and correct food safety and quality issuesGrow partnerships with chemical supply vendors and manage chemical supply inventory; develop and maintain quality documentation for the plantManage direct reports and lead with the “End State in Mind” to drive improvements in all aspects of responsibilitiesMaintain audit readiness for Corporate, GMP, government agencies, Operational Excellence (Continuous Improvement), BRC, or other third-party auditsVerify and validate cleaning effectiveness through sanitation audits and environmental data reviewFacilitate preventive and corrective actions as neededAssist in all internal and external quality and regulatory audits to ensure plant complianceServe as a Recall and Traceability team memberSupport Operational Excellence (Continuous Improvement) as a Key Element Owner member and/or SME/CoachPerform other tasks as requiredMinimum RequirementsWhat we are looking for:Bachelor’s Degree in a technical field (Food Science or Biological Science) is requiredMinimum of 5 years’ experience requiredAbility to lead, coach, and develop others effectively in a team environmentWorking knowledge of food manufacturing quality systems, including product hold processes, laboratory testing equipment, and quality data collection and processing systemsStrong organizational, critical thinking, and problem-solving skillsEffective presentation, verbal, and written communication skillsAbility to organize and prioritize actions to help meet plant objectives and long-term visionWillingness to work flexible hours (weekends, off shifts) as neededRole model for continuous improvement behaviorsStrong computer skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:Previous QA internships, co-ops, or work experience in food manufacturing is highly desiredPrevious food manufacturing experience is preferredHACCP Certification / PCQI Training is preferredWillingness to relocate for future opportunitiesThe Right Place for YouWe are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.Stay connected with us on LinkedIn® We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.