Quality Assurance Specialist

Since 1956, Sunrise Soya Foods has been trusted by generations to produce healthy and delicious soy products. As Canada’s leading tofu manufacturer, we are dedicated in our commitment to putting Goodness First® behind everything that we do. From our products to our workplace, we adhere to our values of: Care for People, Team Focus, Respectful Workplace, Drive for Excellence and Always Improving.

**Job Summary**

The QA Specialist will play a key role in coordinating technical projects including regulatory and food safety programs. The individual will be responsible for maintaining SQF and other food safety programs, ensuring effective implementation on the production floor and other relevant areas of the business. The position will collaborate with other QA team members in investigating customer complaints and non-conformances, supporting in continuous improvement of product safety, quality, and compliances. The QA specialist will also help QA technicians in their day-to-day activities when necessary.

**Job Duties**
- Assisting in developing documentation, implementation and staff training of the production facility’s SQF, HACCP, CQI, regulatory programs, food safety programs, policies and procedures
- SQF practitioner: Implementing and maintaining SQF food safety programs, ensuring the integrity of the SQF system by taking ownership of the SQF systems.
- Leading and supporting various of audits, ensuring compliance of non-GMO, Kosher, SQF, Organic standards, and other regulatory and customer-required audits.
- Investigating and analyzing root cause of non-conformances, generating reports, developing corrective action plans and overseeing their implementation until resolution is achieved.
- Conducting data trend analysis using statistical tools, reviewing and monitoring deviations, and implementing improvement strategies in collaboration with relevant individuals and QA team members.
- Liaising with other departments to ensure alignment with procedures and legislative requirements in SQF, regulatory and other food safety programs
- Scheduling and assisting mock recalls and traceability exercise related to SQF, HACCP, CQI and CPI programs leading to reassessment and, where necessary, improvement of established processes
- Reviewing, developing and/or maintaining standard operating procedure (SOP)
- Supporting CI team and/or QA Manager during trials or shelf-life establishment for any new product and ensuring regulatory standards are met.
- Supporting QA department to ensure Hold and Release program is maintained and products are released on timely manner.
- Performing inspections and assessments that aid the development, enhancement, maintenance and enforcement of Food Safety & Quality Management System.
- Communicating findings with the relevant individuals and/or team members and follows up on required corrective action.
- Through various means of communication, supporting QA Manager ensuring that all departments maintain conformance to the written food safety, quality and customer requirements
- Ensureing that corrective and preventative actions are taken when departments / individual employees do not conform with the safety and quality management programs.
- Collaborating with cross-functional team and QA team on various of projects. Following all relevant departmental policies, processes, standard operating procedures and instructions so that work is carried out in a controlled and consistent manner.

Supporting in ensuring the effectiveness of QA team members through effective assignment of duties, setting of priorities, delegation of work and scheduling.
- Conducting food safety training sessions by establishing a highly motivated, flexible, quick-responding, and quality work force.
- Performing other duties as assigned by the Quality Manager.
- Back up for QA technicians.

**Requirements**:
2 to 3 years minimum of progressive QA/SQF practitioner experience within a food manufacturing setting

Degree or diploma in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology or related discipline
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, built on a team-focused approach
- Good verbal and written English language skills
- Ability to work with a high degree of discretion and tact in handling confidential matters
- Ability to supervise and motivate a team to achieve and exceed their goals
- Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to multi-task and balance conflicting priorities
- Ability to identify issues and implement creative and strategic solutions to overcome problems
- Willingness and ability to collaborate with other departments in achieving company goals
- Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment
- Thrives in a fast-paced work environment, maintains a position frame of mind and sets an example of professionalism for other employees and able to work well under pressure.

**Work Conditions**
- Permanent Full-time position (40 hours per week)
- Work i