If you are a proven quality assurance supervisor who combines a solid background in a regulated food production environment with strong communication skills and the ability to train and develop technicians, the role of Quality Assurance Team Lead offers you some great opportunities. You will:

• Play a key role in production quality assurance, maintaining our high standards of quality and safety. 
• Make your mark at one of the largest produce facilities in the Los Angeles area. Our Irwindale facility is 400,000 square feet and includes 24 production lines, shipping & receiving, a microbiology lab and more. We are a dual FDA, USDA facility with onsite corporate offices. 
• Add to your skills and knowledge on the job and through excellent training. You will learn from a seasoned Team Lead and enjoy the mentorship of your supervisor and other leaders.
• Come in with USDA experience and will learn FDA, if you don't already have that experience.
• Spotlight your talent to take on additional responsibilities or advance in quality assurance or other areas of our organization, here in Irwindale or at any of our four U.S.-based facilities.
• Enjoy a positive, team-oriented culture. Employees have a good deal of autonomy and their contributions are valued and appreciated. We also place a high value on continuous improvement.

Bonduelle Fresh Americas is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bonduelle (BON.PA), and home of the Ready Pac Foods brand. For over 45 years, Ready Pac Foods has been a leader in offering the most innovative fresh food products to consumers around the world. With four processing facilities throughout the U.S., we focus on fresh vegetables, salads and fresh meal solutions for the Americas. We manufacture a complete range of products featuring fresh produce and protein under the company’s Ready Pac Foods®, Bistro®, Ready Snax®, Cool Cuts®, elevĀte™ and Bonduelle Fresh Picked™ brands.

Pictured: Our processing facilities apply the latest global standards of food safety and quality. Using the latest technology and equipment, our goal is to ensure we only offer the highest-quality products.

To be a good fit for the Quality Assurance Team Lead opportunity, you will have:

• A bachelor’s degree (highly preferred) or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5+ years of supervisory experience overseeing a team of at least six  Quick question for you - click here
• 5+ years of quality assurance experience in food and beverage processing/production or a related, highly regulated industry, such as pharmaceuticals  
• Previous food manufacturing experience required  Quick question for you - click here
• USDA experience; FDA experience is a plus
• Strong technical skills including audits
• Proven ability to achieve performance objectives
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles 
• Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement
• Computer literacy; experience with ERP software, ideally JD Edwards
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred; other languages also helpful
• Must be able to work in a refrigerated environment 34°f. to 45°f
• Must be able to become HACCP trained and SQF and CPR certified

In addition, you will need the following core competencies and characteristics:

• Demonstrated leadership, interpersonal and facilitation skills
• Ability to effectively train and motivate permanent and temporary employees 
• College-level written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work well in a team environment and collaborate up and down the organization
• A proven track record of results with a bias for action
• A passion for learning and a craving to work in and promote a fun, upbeat culture

We're hiring for the 1st shift, Monday - Friday, however, you'll need the flexibility to work some weekends and/or 2nd shift as needed to meet workflow demands.

Reporting to the Senior Quality Assurance Manager, as Quality Assurance Team Lead, you will oversee and directly supervise all of the activities of our 14-person, first shift team of QA technicians, ensuring their work is completed in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. You will leverage both your technical and leadership skills as you serve as a hands-on supervisor. Your responsibilities will include interviewing and training associates; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining associates; addressing complaints and resolving problems and more. Specifically, you will:

• Train and supervise Quality Assurance Technicians, monitoring the progress of trainees and technicians, and preparing and maintaining effective QA Tech schedules.
• Assist line QA Tech with line set-up to ensure a strong startup.
• Calibrate and maintain testing equipment as per the programmed schedule; conduct pre-operational sanitation inspection.
• Troubleshoot issues, monitoring for Safe Quality Food (SQF) compliance and enforce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, including training on GMP/HACCP/SQF for all associates.
• Communicate and work closely with all departments to achieve quality standards, identify food safety and process improvements, and communicate recommendations.
• Investigate all, and occasionally answer customer complaints; conduct case audits.
• Monitor raw material rotation, hold periods, and expired product hold form and disposition; report deviations promptly and recommends corrective actions.
• Generate a daily activity report and conduct chemical and supplies inventories. Report daily activities and production issues to QA Manager.
• Identifies safety hazards within the QA work areas and notify the QA Manager or Plant Manager; reports all accidents to the QA Manager immediately and assist in completing the accident reports as needed.
• Perform basic microbiological tests, set up sampling schedules and submit laboratory samples.
• Cross-train in the various functions of the Quality Assurance department; know and maintain knowledge of QA standard operating procedures.
• Learn and maintain knowledge of food safety programs (HACCP, GMPs, Sanitation, Pest Control, Safe Quality Food (SQF), and Organic Guidelines.
• Backup to the QA Manager as SQF Practitioner.

Note: This description is intended to give you a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.

Pictured: Our latest line of chopped salad kits are inspired by flavors and recipes from around the world.

Healthy products, healthy values
"Giving people the freedom to eat healthier" has a deeper meaning for us. We believe in responsible business practices that benefit our associates, consumers and communities. Every consumer should have access to fresh, healthy and convenient choices and every one of our products is made with responsibly-sourced ingredients, by individuals who are treated ethically and with respect every day.

Be The Difference
The Ready Pac Difference is our identity. It defines the value we create that fuels our growth in order to be the most innovative fresh food company. It also defines the culture we create that enables our success and gives us the freedom to invest in our people, our business, and ultimately our consumers. The values defined in The Difference support our ability to give our Associates the freedom to drive results, learn and have fun.

Corporate responsibility
We are passionate about promoting sustainable agriculture, reducing our environmental impact, encouraging all employees to drive a culture of corporate social responsibility (CSR), feeding people well and feeding them sustainably, and promoting the well-being of our employees and communities. See the video for more information.

Rewarding environment
Our culture values teamwork and collaboration, and we are proactive about maintaining an atmosphere that is positive and motivating. We encourage and reward engagement, such as identifying potential safety or quality issues.

Excellent compensation
In addition to competitive compensation and bonus potential, we offer healthcare benefits to all associates after 30 days of employment, a 401(k) plan after 60 days, a tuition reimbursement program, and more.

We're looking for a go-getter...an engaged learner and teacher who will jump in and be out on the floor working with his/her team. 
We know there will be a learning curve, but we'll look to you to be invested in your learning and get up to speed quickly. Pivotal to your success will be your ability to build rapport with your team and earn credibility. You'll be proactive and bring a can-do attitude. Your interpersonal communication skills will also be essential outside of your team as you work collaboratively with various departments and stakeholders throughout the facility.

In our busy plant, there are always a number of special projects going on. You'll need to assess the abilities of your team members in their daily responsibilities, analyzing who can take on special projects and who needs training and development support to fill in their gaps. 

In addition, in order to be an outstanding QA Team Lead, you will:

• Assume ownership of and accountability for your responsibilities and your team.
• Develop an efficient and knowledgeable team.
• Promote safety as well as quality.
• Take on new challenges and continue learning.
• Pay attention to details and also grasp the bigger picture.
• Combine creativity and analytical skills in solving problems.