QA Tech Lead

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Lassonde Pappas & Co.
is a US Leader in beverage manufacturing dedicated to our team members, customers and consumers satisfaction. We remain committed to our small-town roots and rural values.
Hardworking
and
caring
are qualities that make our teams special. Since 1942, we've been producing delicious products for our customers across the country

To provide the best for our customers, we focus on building the best team by creating and advancing an inclusive environment amongst our diverse workforce. If you're passionate about customer satisfaction, reliable, and committed to being and doing better, join us

We value each of our employee's total wellbeing. To support employees in all stages of their wellness journey, we have a robust benefits program including: medical, dental, and vision coverage options, growth and development potential, along with 401-K, Life & Disability Insurance, PTO, Tuition Reimbursement, Health Fairs, Gym Membership Discounts, and so much more
Position Summary
The
QA Tech Lead
reports to the
QA Supervisor
and is based out of our Springdale, Arkansas location. This individual will be responsible for ensuring the quality of products by reviewing production paperwork and testing incoming concentrates to ensure they meet company specifications. The QA Tech Lead must have the capacity to understand quality assurance requirements and be computer literate. QA lead should be able to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations where only limited standardization exists. They should possess the ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form. They should also be able to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. At a minimum the QA Lead must be able to:

• Possess a good knowledge of the batching process and the proper way to adjust the batching process if needed.
• Provide guidance and technical support to ensure product meets quality and product safety specifications
• Monitors ingredient usage to ensure conformance and customer specifications.
• Calibrate testing and analyzing equipment.
• Audits production processes, facilities and personnel practices for conformance to customer, company, GMP, HACCP, SQF and PCQI or any other applicable regulations and standards

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES (essential Functions Of The Job)
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Responsibilities Include

• Perform calibration on all lab equipment
• Maintain product retain samples and color standard
• Performs analytical testing on incoming concentrates/tankers to insure they meet specification
• Maintain product specifications in database
• Maintain and evaluate expired ingredient program
• Pre-weigh colors for batching
• Assist batching and production with any analytical test needed
• Review all QC paperwork daily
• Review and investigate customer complaints
• Communicate with Corporate regarding quality, product safety, ingredient, and formulation issues.
• Serve as a back-up for the QA Manager pr QC Inspectors as needed
• Ensure out of specification product is held, evaluated and disposition obtained.
• Interfaces and effectively works cross-functionally with other (Maintenance, Production, Warehouse)
• Aid in swabbing to support plant sanitation requirements
• Ability to work overtime as needed
• Learn, understand and use CORE values
• Ensure lab supplies remain at adequate levels and process invoices as necessary
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned

LEAD RESPONSIBILITIES (if Applicable)

• Train new employees that are hired in the work area assigned
• Advanced knowledge of field
• Lead by example and assist others who may need guidance
• Be accessible for employees to ask questions regarding area of expertise
• Provide positive recognition to employees who exhibit good behavior in their work area
• Provide feedback to managers on individual and team performance

Education And Experience
Minimum Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• A Minimum of 3-4 y [TQ1] ears of quality assurance experience

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the food/beverage industry
• HACCP Certified
• Experience in report/procedure writing
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must be detailed oriented and have the ability to multi-task
• Proven organizational skills
• Must have excellent time management skills
• Ability to direct, coach and train others.
• Consultative, influential, strategic thinking and problem solving skills.

Competencies:
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies to perform the essential functions of this position. This position will require considerable knowledge of principles and practices of manufacturing, effective oral and written communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills:

• Problem solving – the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner, gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Planning/organizing – the individual prioritizes and plans work activities and uses time efficiently.
• Quality Control – the individual demonstrates a high degree of accuracy and thoroughness, very detailed oriented, monitors own work to ensure quality, and uses feedback to improve performance.
• Quantity – meets productivity standards and completes work in a timely manner.
• Adaptability – the individual adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands, and can deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Dependability – the individual is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction, and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Safety and security – the individual observes safety and security procedures and uses equipment and materials properly.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
This position requires sufficient physical ability to work in a production setting.

FREQUENT:
Ability to talk and hear; ability to stand, walk, climb stairs, stoop, bend and/or crouch; push/pull; lift up to 50 pounds; use of hands and fingers to operate machinery/equipment and all manual and electronic equipment in area of responsibility. Exposure to wet and humid conditions and fluctuations in ambient temperature (seasonal). Required to taste/smell.

OCCASIONAL:
Squatting, kneeling, ability to reach above and at shoulder height. Ability to wear a dust mask, and perform Confined Entry using LOTO program. Exposure to toxic and corrosive chemicals.

VISION:
Ability to use close and distance vision, as well as color and peripheral vision with or without correction. Must be able to visually detect obstacles and potential dangers in a fast paced production environment involving high speed equipment and powered industrial lift equipment.

HEARING:
Ability to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction. Exposure to noise levels from pumps, machinery, forklift traffic, bottle lines and exhaust fans.

This job description is not intended to contain a comprehensive list of the responsibilities that are required to successfully perform in this position. Other duties as assigned are part of every job description. The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential job functions.
Lassonde Pappas & Co., Inc provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.