DATE POSTED November 07, 2017
LOCATION Albuquerque, NM
CATEGORY Agriculture / Business
JOB TYPE Full-Time
COMPANY DESCRIPTION
The Co-op is a friendly neighborhood store where the community can stop by for beautiful produce from farmers down the road, delicious lunches prepared by our expert deli chefs, beautiful gifts handmade by local artisans, and a wide selection of local and organic groceries including bulk foods, meats and cheeses, and natural body care.
The Co-op is a leader in the local foods movement! We support local farmers through the Foodshed Project. This initiative helps local farmers and producers get their products into more markets. Over 1,100 local products from 400 local producers make it to small community grocers, restaurants, and commercial kitchens as a result of the Co-op Distribution Center. We believe in the shared benefits of healthy food, sound environmental practices and a strong local economy with results that justify the resources used.
We know local, but we call it community. We serve our membership, but we also collaborate with farmers, local food and environment advocates, and educators to build community awareness about the links between food, health and the environment.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Overview: The Quality Assurance Specialist maintains all Quality Management Systems related to La Montañita’s Distribution Center (DC). This position also oversees La Montañita’s Group GAP program, which is a mechanism for local growers to secure Harmonized GAP food safety certification. These two functions will help to ensure La Montañita’s compliance with established laws, regulations, policies and procedures, as well as address risk management expectations from the marketplace.
Interactions
External: Regular contact with government regulators, auditors, farmers and other producers
Internal: Frequent contact with DC Director, Warehouse Manager, Value Chain Specialist and Enterprise Development Manager. Regular contact with staff at all levels.
Responsibilities (Quality Assurance)
Oversees the development, implementation, and adherence to the DC’s food safety plan, including the self-audit process; oversees the DC’s third party food safety audit
Reviews audit results with key personnel and provides support to correct deficient conditions
Works closely with La Montañita’s DC Director, Warehouse Manager, and Value Chain Specialist to achieve goals
Monitors and assists management with compliance with local, state and federal food safety and health standards; acts as the Co-op’s representative to government regulators and inspectors
Stays current on regulatory requirements for food safety and distribution center sanitation
Monitors all third party contractors for compliance with the DC’s food safety plan
Informs buyers about La Montañita’s quality assurance processes; responds to buyer requests and manages any supplier verification programs (if required by the distribution center’s customers)
Assists with investigations of food-related illness claims to determine and implement (if needed) corrective action; responsible for monitoring and auditing the DC’s recall program
Ensures grower compliance with the Co-op’s Quality Management System (QMS) through grower trainings and verification
Conducts a regular review and updates, as needed, the company’s QMS
Participates in pertinent staff meetings and professional development opportunities
Responsibilities (Group GAP Coordination)
Prepares La Montañita’s Group GAP QMS for external bench review and audit
Maintains QMS audit status
Coordinates farmer trainings and internal audits
Works closely with La Montañita’s Value Chain Specialist and Enterprise Development Manager, as well as external Group GAP partners and stakeholders
Ensures all trainers and internal auditors meet requirements for their own training
Requirements
Appropriate education/ work experience to demonstrate capacity to fulfill the requirements of the position
Must be able to stoop, bend, twist, and reach
Must be able to lift up to 30 lbs.
Must have dependable transportation, a valid driver’s license and current automobile insurance.
Possesses (or can be trained to obtain) Preventative Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI)certification
Knowledge of state food regulations, HACCP and food science
Ability to interface effectively with a wide variety of audiences to communicate concepts, systems, etc.
Ability to work effectively with diverse team members and partners and provide solutions to maintain compliance with regulations
Strong analytical skills for data interpretation and analysis
Well organized, with the ability to prioritize, multi-task and meet deadlines
Excellent verbal, analytical, organizational and written skills
Additional KSA’s (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities)
Experience in retail, wholesale, compliance, public health or food safety preferred
Training with ISO 9001 or 2200 preferred
Continuous Process Improvement training preferred
Familiarity with wholesale distribution preferred
COMPENSATION
this position is PAID: hourly, varies DOE, $12.00 – $20.00
HOW TO APPLY
Click here to download the application