Quality Assurance Analyst

**Position Snapshot**

**Business area: Nestle Canada Inc**

**Role: Quality Assurance Analyst**

**Location**:Toronto, ON located at 72 Sterling Rd, Toronto, ON M6R 2B6**

**On-Site**

**A little bit about us**

While Nestlé is known for KitKat, Gerber, Nescafe, Drumstick and Häagen-Dazs, our recipe for success comes down to one thing: our people.

We strive to lead a people-focused culture that empowers employees to bring their authentic selves to work each day. There are 3,000+ members of Nestlé Canada celebrated for taking action using agility, courage, and trust to find solutions that benefit the business or greater good. We’re a team of changemakers, who are curious and challenge the status quo, that take risks that will help drive us forward.

Our focus is not only on nourishing our customers, but also about enriching you. We know that empowerment leads to strong employee engagement, a great work culture, and motivated employees.

**What to expect**

As the **Quality Assurance Analyst**, you will be responsible to ensure timely product releases that meet internal and external standards through various laboratory testing procedures for food safety and quality assurance, including sensory evaluations of products, raw materials, and packaging. The role also involves implementing operational standards related to sensory evaluation, food safety (including food contact materials, chemical contaminants, and allergens), and providing technical support for design and continuous improvement initiatives. Additionally, the QA Analyst will assist other analysts in the QA department during absences and vacations.

This is a role that will require flexibility. Because it is a 24/7 operation, other shifts or schedules may be required.

**A day in the life of a**Quality Assurance Analyst**
- Coordinate daily sensory evaluations for finished product release.
- Evaluate sensory data and maintain a trained group of basic and expert sensory panelists.
- Conduct annual training and spike tests; update and create sensory standards as needed.
- Provide training for new panelists and connect with the Sensory Network to stay current on techniques.
- Coordinate Keeping Quality Testing (KQT) and report results.
- Ensure raw materials meet specifications and QMS checks before offloading and during release.
- Coordinate testing as per annual raw material risk assessment and contaminated testing schedule.
- Maintain an up-to-date raw material sensory panel.
- Manage the quality release of all packaging materials; coordinate testing as defined by QMS.
- Serve as the formal release coordinator by reviewing all relevant inspections before product release.
- Document dispositions in release folders and follow up on product holds, blocking/unblocking, and exceptional releases.
- Perform SLED/DOM changes on SAP as needed and maintain documentation for SLED/Batch changes.
- Complete health checks and maintain holds and dispositions files.
- Update procedures, training records, and documentation in compliance with Nestlé standards.
- Provide support to production regarding food safety and quality issues.
- Inform management of quality deviations and participate in corrective actions.
- Manage assigned projects and perform backup duties as required (e.g., net weight, microbiological, analytical testing).
- Promote continuous improvement of quality systems and products.
- Ensure compliance with Nestlé Quality Management System (NQMS), Quality Policy, ISO 9001:2015, FSSC 22000:2018.
- Adhere to ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 requirements.
- Maintain a safe work environment by following safety and health rules and procedures, and addressing new risks as identified.

**Role Requirements**
- University degree in Food Science or related discipline (preferred microbiology, life science-related studies)
- 1-3 years’ experience in food manufacturing or processing
- Experience in a unionized manufacturing environment an asset
- Experience in laboratory or analytical environment
- Self-motivated, well-organized and detail-oriented individual
- Strong interpersonal / communication skills
- Strong problem solving, decision-making, and analytical skills
- Strong PowerPoint, Word and Excel skills.
- Ability to influence, especially in the face of challenges and obstacles to change
- Proven track record in delivering results by working with cross-functional teams and different initiatives
- Capable of developing and delivering training to both technical and non-technical personnel
- Demonstrated capability to lead a group of experienced professionals
- Flexibility to work various shifts including travel when required

**Benefits**
- Comprehensive total rewards benefits package including Health and Dental benefits that start on day one of employment
- Company matched pension plan
- Three weeks of Vacation and five personal days (Personal Paid Holidays)
- Excellent training and development programs as well as opportunities to grow within the company
- Access to