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 FUNCTIONDevelop 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/EXPERIENCEREQUIRED: 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.