Processing Specialist

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

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.