Sr Specialist QA & Food Safety Compliance

Job Location: Hershey, PA

Summary:

The Quality Assurance (QA) & Food Safety (FS) Compliance Specialist ensures The Hershey Company’s Product Excellence Program (PEP) compliance in the Business Unit assigned, and coordinates efforts to maintain the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification.

The position serves as the technical resource for Manufacturing and Engineering, providing leadership and guidance in the areas of incident investigation and resolution, troubleshooting, Quality Design Reviews (QDRs) and other related matters.

In addition, the Quality Assurance & Food Safety Compliance Specialist:

• Program Administration: Ensures that all applicable Elements of the PEP Program, Safe Quality Food (SQF) and customer specific requirements are implemented. Guarantees compliance and effectiveness of the Food Safety Plan (FSP), Food Quality Plan (FQP) and the prerequisite programs. Coordinates and leads the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) team meetings. Verifies and validates the FS & FQ Programs at the established frequencies.
• Project/New Product/ Business Unit Support: Ensures that the FS & FQ system elements included in the PEP program are considered in all new products/new manufacturing lines and all process changes. Acts as QA representative on multi-functional project teams or non-routine assignments. May support new product efforts from initial test runs to full-scale production to ensure integrity of systems.
• Compliance: Facilitate production activities to meet FS & FQ specifications and regulatory standards. Work with the Center of Excellence (CoE) to ensure compliance to regulatory requirements in ingredients and packaging materials. 
• Training: Supports the Training Department by conducting and developing training for plant employees and regularly follows up with employees to ensure that they understand the requirements of their jobs. Leads the efforts to educate and train the workforce on FS & FQ. Develops and/or implements training programs to assure compliance and understanding of internal quality expectations and regulatory compliance.
• Auditing: Oversees the Internal Audit Program in accordance with PEP. Maintains Audit Ready status of the facility by regularly auditing and communicating findings to the relevant parts of the organization and following up on closure of actions. Develops corrective and preventive action plans to ensure compliance standards are met.
• Incident Management: Investigates, troubleshoots, and analyzes complex incidents with potential financial/regulatory impacts in conjunction with the manufacturing team. Performs root cause analysis and develop corrective and preventive actions. Partner with cross functional groups (Manufacturing, Marketing, Legal, etc.) and external business partners to ensure communications and action plans are established. Ensure timely and cost-effective resolutions are achieved. Uses various computer support systems to help isolate / solve problem. Leads the internal product and material traceability in case of product recalls, withdrawals, and recovery, and manages product holds.
• Costumer/Consumer Complaint Reduction: Leads improvement teams and prepares reports as necessary.  Under moderate supervision, acts as QA representative on multi-functional project teams, business unit or non-routine assignments.
• Continuous Improvement: Identifies continuous improvement opportunities related to ongoing FS and/or FQ opportunities in processing areas and leads implementation. Leads improvement teams and prepares/presents reports. Leads initiatives to determine root cause and implement solutions.  Provides training as needed.  Implements new policies and procedures.
• Subject Matter Expert: FDA Regulations, GFSI, Data Management/Trending, Processing, Packaging, Environmental, Product Data Management (PDM), etc.  Or a generalist with broad based knowledge in multiple areas including regulations, industry practices, corporate wide quality systems, development of policies and procedures, and ability to implement as required.  Expected to provide leadership for specific programs, project management, training, and coaching of other employees in the specified area of expertise.

Skills and Experience:

• Effective communication of technical and non-technical information to various levels, both internally and externally to the organization.
• Strong working knowledge of QA principles.
• Detailed knowledge of federal and state food industry regulations and quality system requirements including – Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), HACCP, Good Manufacturing Process (GMP), GFSI/SQF Standards, PEP.
• Understanding of sanitation and pest control practices.
• Strong computer and document management skills.
• Strong documentation skills and attention to detail.
• Establish and sustain effective relationships with all employees in order to foster an environment where innovation and cooperation are used to solve problems.
• Strong auditing/assessment skills.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to influence management, enabling the activities of employee teams that do not have direct reporting to this role.
• Ability to interact effectively with 3rd party and internal auditors.
• Ability to work flexible hours. This position will primarily work 1st shift, but work schedule flexibility is required to support a 24/7 manufacturing operation.
• Ability to climb ladders to work platforms and climb stairs to other work areas.
• Lifting of moderately heavy items such as product cases may be required.
• May involve working around moving machines and handling of hazardous testing and sanitation chemicals.
• Advanced problem solving/troubleshooting skills.
• In depth understanding of a production/manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in computer programs/software such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Power BI, Quality Incident Management System (QIMS), SAP ERP.

Minimum Requirements and Education:

• B.S. in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• Must have applicable work experience in the food industry implementing quality and food safety programs.
• Minimum of 3 years of food manufacturing or related manufacturing experience. 5+ years preferred.
• HACCP, SQF and PCQI certification preferred.

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The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
 
The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans.  

You may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application process as a result of a disability.
You can request an accommodation via phone or email.  

To request an accommodation via phone, please call +1 877-804-1794 and leave a voicemail with your contact information.  You may also email a request for accommodation to ApplicationHelp@hersheys.com. Please be sure to include “Accommodation Needed” in the subject line. This will ensure that your email is routed to the appropriate contact who will handle your request.