Description GENERAL SUMMARY: This is a salaried position in Manteno, Illinois; reports to the Manteno Quality Manager but with very close coordination with key COI personnel (Processing Specialist, R&D Manager, FSQA Manager, etc). Maintains customer portals, reviews supplier documents & ensures timely disposition on non-conformances & customer complaints. Maintains the Quality Manual, updates existing SOPs as needed, or suggests new standards, methods, & procedures for continuing improvement. Conducts periodic review of Safety Chain records to ensure all compliance requirements are maintained. Reviews formulas & processing procedures, coordinates with COI counterparts on discrepancies or processing issues to ensure alignment in both plant locations. Works closely with the HACO US Team to help identify, solve, & prevent problems affecting quality, food safety, customer & regulatory compliance. SCOPE OF JOB FUNCTION • Develop detailed mixing instructions to ensure that products are manufactured optimally & consistently to meet the product specifications. • Ensures alignment in processing procedures for both plant locations, conduct SOP verification at least annually or if there are changes that can impact product conformance. • Work with the mixers & helpers during the first 3 productions of new products to ensure that correct materials are used, verify recipe & mixing instructions. • Develop re-work order for complicated products put “On Hold- MRB”; non-compliance that needs actual product application confirmatory test to validate re-work instructions • Ensures that the checklist for new product development is completed before product launch, emphasis on batch checks, packaging specifications and label details verification. • Creates nutrition label & ingredient statements in compliance with NLEA (Nutrition Labeling Enforcement Act); ensures compliance with nutrition label claims. • Create, maintain, and publish Finished Goods and Packaging Specifications. • Maintains an orderly record of documents required for supplier approval and specifications for raw materials that need to be sourced or transferred for Manteno operation. • Conducts HACCP analysis on new raw materials as well as new finished products developed. • Conducts risk assessment on product deviations ensures that there is no impact on food safety and regulatory compliance. • Coordinates with customers and/or COI R&D and quality team on any new product added to Manteno operations, non-conformance issues, risk assessment results/verifications & validation initiatives. • Develop label formats/template per customer specifications, USDA labeling and standard of identity compliance. • Ensures that product formulations comply with regulatory and industry standards; studies the microbiological, physical and chemical properties of finished products & ingredients. • Creates nutrition label & ingredient statements in compliance with NLEA (Nutrition Labeling Enforcement Act); ensure compliance with nutrition label claims. • Ensures compliance with all Private Label customer specifications including web base specs up-date and SCAR closing. • Work with Purchasing to identify and qualify alternate suppliers for cost effective sourcing of new and existing raw materials. • Evaluates raw material substitutes for specs deviation typically due to shortage or supplier issues. • Complete actual product application & group sensory testing to validate potential specs deviation or permanent specs change. • Evaluates competitive products to benchmark against existing products; create cost competitive equivalent. • Participates in &/or lead continuous improvement activities. • Other duties as assigned Requirements SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: • Degree in Technical Course (Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology etc.) or other related field or equivalent work experience • 5 years’ minimum experience in food manufacturing environment & or laboratory • Skilled in statistical charts, trend data analysis, problem solving & product trouble shooting. • Good verbal & written communication skills • Ability to work well with other departments, suppliers & customers. • Must be able to multi-task, manage multiple assignments, well organized & precise. • Strong attention to details & good leadership. • Must be able to perform in a demanding, fast-paced environment. • High proficiency with computer systems, including MS Office, Adobe Acrobat, & web-based quality management portals (Safety Chain, Trace Gains, Safe Food 360, etc.). • Able to work flexible hours occasionally for inspections/audit to cover 3 shift production schedules. DESIRED: • Experienced in Quality Manual SOP & policy review & development. • Experienced with HACCP/Food Safety Risk Assessment, Annual audits: 3rd Party, regulatory, customer audits. • Experienced with internal audits.