Canning Food Safety Auditor

This position works in the Regulatory Affairs Department and is primarily responsible for auditing activities and documentation associated with thermal processing in our Canning department. One of the primary functions of the position is to audit documentation relating to the manufacture of canned and jarred products to assure that both regulatory and internal food safety requirements are continually met. This position also identifies deviations and are as for corrective action and works in close association with the FSS, Regulatory Affairs, Quality Control, Sensory, and the Canning Production department to assure compliance on a consistent basis. In addition, this position works with the FSS and Regulatory Affairs groups to identify areas for continual improvement in our recordkeeping and process documentation practices and maintains all forms to assure that they remain current. This position will also assist with the product hold and release function and provide the documents promptly that are necessary for consumer illness investigations. This individual may also be involved in training related to process documentation and food safety requirements and may also be required to work on special projects associated with new products and changes in regulatory requirements or manufacturing practices. This individual works closely with the other members of the Food Safety and Sensory Department, members of the Regulatory Affairs Department as well as the Production and Warehouse staff. The incumbent should be able to work quickly and accurately under pressure of deadlines and communicate well with other departments. This position will be located at an Amy's facility that has a Low Acid Canned Food production line.
Compile Canning food safety documents for review Contact appropriate department for missing documents and/or information. Follow up with individuals to obtain further information required to clear canned products Review/audit paperwork for compliance to all regulatory (consistent with 21CFR, Part 113 or Part 114) and internal requirements Initiate product holds and releases Determine status of each daily production run based on findings of document review Note any problems or lack of compliance with procedures and notify proper departments Complete all necessary revisions and updates to forms. Assure that current forms are always available and in use. Audit the paperwork on the canning line during the production day at a regular frequency Identify trends in canning and initiate the appropriate corrective actions in a timely manner. Follow up as needed after initial investigations to assure corrective action is taken to eliminate future problems. Assist with customer illness investigations and follow-up activities as needed Provide appropriate level of support with tasks requiring technical skills in the event of an unplanned and short-term absence of Canning team members. (Note: Made this a separate bullet) On call to periodically provide guidance to Production and FSS regarding technical and food safety issues pertaining to thermal processing. Train all canning QFS, QC, and Production employees regarding documentation and other food safety requirements. Track and report weekly to Thermal Processing team, holds that are created and update existing holds when necessary. Maintain and review Formula Comparison spreadsheet for all canned products. Demonstrate ability to train, motivate and coach the canning team on proper canning documentation procedures and appropriate corrective actions. Provide constructive feedback to canning team so they can grow and develop their skills and greater understanding of 21CFR Part 113 / 114. Review files and work with coprocessors of Acidified Foods in accordance with Amy's requirements and 21CFR Part 114. Other tasks may be assigned as needed in support of the thermal processing or other Regulatory Affairs functions. These tasks may include Regulatory Affairs Technologist tasks within the Labeling, Organic and Certification areas and various project work within the Legal and Regulatory Affairs Department. It is the responsibility of all employees to uphold the mission of the Amy's Food Safety and Quality Policy. This includes following all Food Safety and Sustainability programs and participating in all required training. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This position does not directly supervise other Amy's employees.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION
BS in Biology, Food Science or the equivalent science-based degree or equivalent combination of education and experience EXPERIENCE
1 – 2 years experience in the food industry or equivalent combination of education and experience Some experience in document management, thermal processing, food safety or QA is desirable SKILLS
Excellent interpersonal and assertiveness skills, necessary to maintain effective and cordial working relationships while, at the same time, come to resolution/agreement on Amy's requirements Excellent communication skills; ability to relate to all internal levels within the company Strong attention to detail, strong organizational skills, procedure and process oriented Able to analyze trends and having strong analytical skills. The ability to manage multiple responsibilities at once by focusing on one task while keeping track of others. Computer literate Reliable/dependable Valid US Driver's License. LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to all levels of management as well as technicians. Ability to speak Spanish is preferred but not required. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. REASONING ABILITY
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Successful completion of Better Process Control School.
Valid U.S. Driver's License
PCQI Certification
SQF Practitioner Certification
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here 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 with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee is required to sit for prolonged periods. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, cold (coolers and freezers) and hot (processing equipment) conditions, and moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and occasionally loud.
TRAVEL Estimated travel requirements may be up to 20%.