Quality Assurance Specialist jobs in Bakersfield, CA

Overview

WHO WE ARE: CALIFIA FARMS

Rooted in California, Califia Farms is on a mission to create a future where plants replace dairy, without compromise. The company creates a variety of great-tasting plant-based beverages that make the transition to eating plant-based dairy easy and delicious. Califia Farms is one of the fastest-growing, independently owned, natural beverage companies in the U.S., the UK and Australia, and is well-known for its iconic curvy bottle. Califia Farms was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in the downtown Los Angeles Arts District, with a manufacturing facility in Bakersfield, Calif. The company’s culture is built around four core values: passion for purpose, insights into action, fierce interdependence, and challenger spirit.

Responsibilities

• Works with management to discuss, diagnose problems and improve quality and efficiency 
• Lead weekly Complaint Review and Reduction meeting with Plant Leadership and with a cross-functional team. 
• Lead Complaint Reduction activities with the focus to Drive to Zero with a cross-functional team. 
• Responsible for the implementation of directed quality efforts in the plant to reduce complaints and QA Holds.  
• Lead Projects that enhance Quality of the Product and eliminate waste and consumer/customer complaints. 
• Audits and maintains Food Safety Programs as needed for proper documentation and compliance 
• Responsible for maintaining the microbiology and analytical testing of the water treatment system at the Bakersfield Plant 
• Improve products with RD and support Co-Man Quality tasks (shelf-life/spoilage studies, tastings, sensory scorecards) 
• Assist in data collection methodologies and qualification for innovation and renovation 
• Aid in the development of HACCP documentation (Risk analysis for facility and ingredients, flow diagrams, etc.)  
• Support Active Release and HACCP Compliance 
• Support Quality Hold and Hold Reporting activities 
• Perform internal audits and aid in facilitation of internal audit team meetings 
• Maintain Corrective Actions Registers and provide support and progress reports to departments on root cause investigations. 
• Redzone Review and Reporting 
• Responsible for line audits after sanitation activities  
• Develops and maintains positive and professional relationships with all employees and management 
• Assists in providing safe working conditions for all employees 
• Responsible to build and maintain best practices throughout the facility 
• Provide technical (quality tool) and statistical expertise to teams 
• Transfer learning across teams and business 
• Assist teams in presenting data and conclusions clearly 
• Provide the highest level of internal and external customer service 
• Develop and provide training to QA personnel and across other departments as needed 
• Act as a liaison between the Quality Supervisor and QA and Micro Technicians (scheduling of staff and serve as a lead role for QA) 
• Co-leader of Plant Food Safety Team 
• Will provide support to the Sanitation Manager as needed
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must read, write and communicate in English 
• Must be able to taste all foods with no aversions or allergies 
• Must follow GMP Policy - wear company issued shirt, hat, safety glasses, earplugs and hairnet in 
• Ability to stand, kneel, bend over, climb stairs and ladders and lift/move up to 50 pounds  
• Able to work under pressure in a very fast paced environment 
• Able to perform root cause analysis 
• Able to communicate and work well with people on all levels of the organization 
• Able to receive, analyze and report out information efficiently 
• Knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs) – ability to follow laboratory SOPs 
• Knowledge of Good Documentation Practices (GDPs) - ability to keep proper records 
• Knowledge of HACCP principles and risk analysis 
• Strong computer literacy – MS applications, databases, Power point, Redzone 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills 
• Strong analytical skills - ability to analyze large amounts of data and determine deficiencies 
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy 
• Knowledge of Sanitation and CIP process in the food industry 
• 3 years – Experience in food processing
• Experience with microbiological plating and reading and environmental sampling
• Bachelor’s Degree or appropriate equivalent from an accredited university
• ISO, BRC, SQF Auditor Certified 
• HACCP Certification 
• Good Laboratory Practices – Course completion 
• 4-7 years – Experience in food processing and quality assurance

Salary Range: $23.00-$27.50 Per Hour 

Califia Farms is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Califia Farms is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.