Quality Assurance Assistant

Company: Shediac Lobster Shop Ltd.
Department: Quality Assurance / Quality Control
Reports To: Quality Assurance Manager
Industry: Seafood / Lobster Processing

The Quality Assurance Assistant position is responsible for overseeing the monitoring of product and production activities to ensure lobster products meet established food safety, quality, regulatory and customer requirements. Assist the Quality Assurance Manager with reviews, audits, verification and trend analysis, CAPA preparation, coordinating implementation and verification activities associated with implemented CAPA plans.

The QA employee performs verification on routine inspections, checks, monitoring and documentation throughout production and identifies product or process issues requiring attention, correction or escalation. QA Assistant also works closely with QC technicians and leads to ensure accuracy and compliance. The position works closely with all departments, reports quality or food safety concerns to the Quality Assurance Manager and assists in the resolution of those concerns.

Key Responsibilities

Production & Product Monitoring

• Conduct routine verifications of quality checks throughout production.
• Inspect raw materials, work-in-process and finished products for compliance with established specifications.
• Monitor product quality, condition, appearance and other required product characteristics.
• Verify that products meet applicable customer and company specifications.
• Review defects, deviations or unacceptable product for compliance corrective actions.
• Communicate quality concerns immediately to Production and/or the QA Manager.
• Assist in preventing non-conforming product from being released.

Food Safety & Process Controls

• Review and verify food safety and process monitoring activities.
• Temperatures and other established process controls.
• Verify that required production and food safety checks are completed at the required frequency against records and recording activities.
• Observe employee compliance with GMPs, hygiene and food-handling requirements.
• Report food safety concerns or deviations immediately.
• Assist and oversee verification of sanitation processes and results.

Product Specifications & Label Verification

• Verify product against applicable specifications.
• Ensure labels and packaging for accuracy.
• Identify incorrect or non-compliant labels or packaging before product is released.
• Correct and report specification or labeling discrepancies to the QA Manager.

Non-Conforming Product

• Assist in controls of non-conforming products and equipment.
• Place or assist in placing affected product on HOLD according to company procedures.
• Clearly identify and segregate held or non-conforming products.
• Control deviations and notify the QA Manager and Production.
• Assist with product evaluation, reinspection and corrective actions as directed.
• Verify corrections when assigned before affected production continues or product is released.

Records & Documentation

• Accurately complete assigned QC monitoring forms and records.
• Record inspection results, temperatures, product checks and deviations.
• Ensure records are completed at the time monitoring occurs.
• Document corrective actions taken when required.
• Maintain clear, accurate and legible records.
• Submit completed records to the QA Manager according to established procedures.
• Review, organize and when required verify documents and records.

Traceability & Product Control

• Assist with traceability activities and product identification.
• Support product hold, release and recall activities when required.
• Assist the QA Manager with traceability exercises and product investigations.

Communication

• Communicate quality and food safety concerns promptly and professionally.
• Work cooperatively with all departments in addressing, and implementing corrective and preventative actions.
• Escalate significant or repeated deviations to the QA Manager.
• Provide factual information regarding quality findings and production observations.

Authority

Quality Assurance Assistant personnel have authority and responsibility to:

• Identify and report food safety or quality concerns.
• Request correction of identified product or process deviations.
• Place or recommend product be placed on HOLD when requirements are not met.
• Escalate unresolved or significant issues to the QA Manager.
• Stop or request the stopping of an affected process when there is an immediate food safety or serious product compliance concern.

Final disposition of significant non-conforming product and decisions involving regulatory compliance, program changes or customer requirements remain under the authority of the QA Manager and/or designated management.

Skills & Qualifications

The QA Assistant employee should demonstrate:

• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to follow written procedures and product specifications.
• Ability to accurately complete records and documentation.
• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to identify, report and correct product defects or deviations.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced seafood production environment.
• Understanding of GMPs, food safety and quality requirements.
• Ability to work independently while escalating issues appropriately.
• Competent in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Understanding of food safety fundamentals, HACCP and GFSI standards.

Training will be provided on applicable company food safety programs, product specifications, monitoring procedures, documentation requirements and responsibilities.

English Language Requirement: Strong written and verbal English skills are required, with the ability to read and write clearly accurately.

Overall Responsibility

The primary responsibility of QA Assistant is to oversee inspection and monitoring activities, identify and document product and process deviations so that problems are addressed before non-conforming product is released. The QA Manager manages the quality system; QA Assistant verifies the continual day to day implementation of the program along with the QC technicians to ensure continuing compliance.