Sr Specialist Quality Assurance

Job Location:  Hershey, PA

Summary:

The Hershey Company Reese Campus is a Non-Union facility integrated by four Business Units: Peanut Butter, General Factory, Kit Kat, and Reese Campus Processing (RCP) in a high-speed complex environment.

Under moderate guidance, the Sr Specialist QA’s primary job responsibilities are to serve as a liaison between Quality Assurance (QA) and Manufacturing.  In this role the Sr Specialist QA provides support to the manufacturing operations and is an integral part of the Peanut Butter business unit.  QA responsibilities include ensuring compliance to all company and regulatory policies/procedures pertaining to product safety/quality. 

This position serves as a technical resource for Manufacturing and Engineering, providing leadership and guidance in the areas of weight control, packaging, incident investigation and resolution, troubleshooting and other related matters.  This position provides QA support to the assigned Business Unit and the Reese Campus.  The Sr Specialist QA must have a sound working knowledge of Hershey’s quality systems requirements.  Some laboratory duties are required.

Responsibilities:

Compliance: 

• Facilitates production activities to meet quality/safety specifications and regulatory standards by providing training, auditing, troubleshooting and incident management. 

 Training: 

• Assists in efforts to educate and train the workforce on food quality and safety issues.  Conducts training specifically for plant employees and regularly follows up with employees to ensure that they understand the requirements of their jobs.

 Auditing: 

• Conducts audits in accordance with Product Excellence Program (PEP)/ Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) / Environmental compliance procedures.  Reviews CCP paperwork and/or records for compliance.

 Incident Management: 

• Investigates and analyzes incidents to identify trends in product/quality safety information.  Initiates corrective actions & preventive actions and communicates findings as appropriate.  Uses various computer support systems (ex. SAP product tracking, Line Production Reporting (LPR), Cost of Non-Conformance (CONC), etc.) to help isolate / solve problems.

 Sampling / Instrumentation Program: 

• Responsible for overseeing the Sampling program performed by the QA Assistant.  This includes micro samples, pesticide samples, Cadbury quality review samples, Environmental swab samples, retained samples and maintaining the retained library.  Responsible for sample collection, input into LIMS, where applicable and reporting out of tolerance results.  Prepares dosing sets, tracks and maintains proper inventories of essences.  Coordinates in-house chocolate collaborative program and supports instrumentation calibration program.

 HACCP: 

• Conducts regular internal audits on all HACCP and PEP systems, documents and reports findings and follows-up on non-conformances.  Conducts monthly sanitation area audits and audits of other prerequisite systems as appropriate.

 Continuous Improvement / Project / New Product Support: 

• Implements continuous improvement through utilization of PEP program elements such as Master Control Plans, Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP), HACCP, ACCP, Weight Control and

 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.  May support new product efforts from initial test runs to full-scale production to assure integrity of systems. 

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:

• Knowledge of federal and state food industry regulations.
• Understanding of sanitation and pest control practices
• Familiarity with GFSI standards
• Strong computer, document management skills and attention to details
• Ability to effectively communicate in verbal and written form
• Ability to work flexible hours
• Dexterity required for handling and performing tests in an accurate manner.  Ability to record data as needed.
• Ability to climb ladders to work platforms, climb stairs to other work areas.  Lifting of moderately heavy items such as test equipment and product cases may be required.
• Strong problem solving/trouble shooting skills
• Solid understanding of a production / manufacturing environment
• Strong auditing / assessment skills
• Strong leadership skills and ability to influence management enabling the direction of activities of teams of employees that do not have direct reporting to this role.
• Proficiency in computer programs / software such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point, Power BI, SAP (Recipe Management), Net Weight and Consumer Complaints
• Working knowledge of regulatory and quality system requirements – PEP, HACCP, Good Manufacturing Process (GMP), etc.

 Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: 

• B.S. or A.S. in Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry or related field or equivalent related experience
• 3 – 5 years of related experience
• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Certification is desirable
• Six Sigma certification is desirable

Other Requirements: 

• Successful candidates must be able to be “on call” to cover weekends as needed

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.

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