Food Safety and Quality Assurance Senior Supervisor

Work is Sweet!

'Quality without Compromise' is not just a motto at See’s Candies. It is the most important ingredient in our recipe for success. See’s Candies has been in business since 1921 and maintains a reputation for producing the highest quality candy and providing superior customer service.

See’s is a leader in the confectionery industry with over 250 retail shops across the USA, a growing e-commerce business, and expanding opportunities internationally. We are seeking friendly, enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about helping us grow and thrive in our second century.

Job Description Summary:

The Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Senior Supervisor is responsible for ensuring See’s Food Safety and Quality programs are fully implemented and documented at each facility to achieve compliance with all applicable federal and state food regulations, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations and the Safe Quality Foods (SQF) code. This position involves direct leadership and management of employees on the facility floor; mastering and applying all See’s Food Safety and Quality policies and procedures in daily interactions with plant and quality employees; utilizing statistical process control (SPC) and other quality improvement tools to meet and continuously improve safety, sustainability, food safety and food quality KPIs. In the absence of FSQA Manager, assumes duties and serve as the sites’ backup SQF Practitioner.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $75,200K - $101,600K per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Job Description:

Key Responsibilities:

Direct Reports Management

• Supervise the activities of the QA Inspectors by scheduling coverage, assigning work, providing appropriate training in site-specific standard operating procedures (SOP) and One Point Lessons (OPL).

• Responsible for all other supervisory activities including, but not limited to, labor budget management, performance evaluation, hiring, discipline, coaching, training and development and termination recommendation. 

• Maintain a safe work environment at all times by having safe work instructions, practices, and procedures in place for QA Inspectors; ensure that employees are trained to understand and comply with those procedures. Apply corrective action consistently when required. Report all unsafe working conditions immediately to management.

Operational & Systematic Tasks

• Demonstrate ownership and practical knowledge of all applicable See’s Food Safety and Quality Program and apply them throughout daily responsibilities to make sound decisions and execute food safety & quality oversight.  

• Able to quickly and thoroughly investigate a product/process failure, determine the root cause and take prompt corrective actions while minimizing product exposure and production down time.

• Takes initiative to identifying opportunities to enhance technology and innovation that will enhance department effectiveness. 

• Manage relationships with intra- and inter- departmental colleagues and suppliers to ensure achievement of departmental and company-wide targets.

• Administer all facilities’ hold, release and traceability program. 

• Serves as the primary liaison among Technical Services, Merchandising, Procurement and Regional Packing Teams on Packing Recipe compliance to Technical Service's guidance.

• Ensure QA Inspectors collaborate with the laboratory staff and coordinators to manage timely release of equipment, ingredients and finished products.

• Ensure internal records are saved or submitted and reviewed on a timely basis. Report and create corrective actions for deficiencies and missing data.

• Review all preventative control and quality check records in both paper and electronic formats.

• Facilitate transitions between shifts for seamless handoffs; communicate key information to peers, team members and Management.

• Participate in the review, verification and update of hazard analysis critical control point/hazard analysis & risk-based preventive controls (HACCP/HARPC) plans, OPLs, SOPs, registers and forms as needed to protect product safety and quality.

• Participate in routine facility audit and Corporate audit to ensure site is in compliance to the latest edition of the SQF code.

• Lead the training of associates at all levels on quality programs, as directed.

• Support implementation and the execution of the company’s ERP system.

• Completes special projects as assigned.

• Serves as a backup for the FSQA Manager and performs FSQA Manager duties and responsibilities in their absence.

• All See’s staff must be committed to the company’s core principles and workplace values, including a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Attendance

• Regular, punctual, physical attendance is an essential function of this position. 

• Ability to flex hours and work 2nd shift on a weekly basis during in-season, and on a routine basis during off-season to observe and audit QA, operational and sanitation activities.

• Ability to function as FSQA Manager on 2nd shift and Saturdays during peak seasons.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in food science or related science field.

• 3 years of Quality Assurance experience in the food industry (on-the-job experience maybe substituted with a completed advance degree in Food Science or related science field).

• Demonstrated self-starter with a high-level of initiative.

• Demonstrated ability to navigate through ambiguity.

• Strong communication skills, proven ability to supervise and motivate employees.

• Ability to work well with others under pressure, in a fast-paced, changing environment.

• Strong decision making and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to make intra-day travel to other local See’s facilities within short notice. Experience in supervising teams at multiple locations in person and remotely. PC Proficiency: Windows, MS Office - Word, Excel, Power Point (or equivalent software).

• Holds SQF Practitioner Certification or has SQF working knowledge.

• Holds HAPRC/HACCP Certification.

• Holds PCQI Certification.

• Conversational Cantonese or Spanish a plus.

See's is an EOE
See’s will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable local, state or federal law (including San Francisco Ordinance #131192 and Los Angeles Municipal Code 189.00).