QA Lead - POM Wonderful

From tree to table, POM Wonderful delivers a whole lot of healthy. Known for our iconic double-bubble bottle, we grow, harvest, package, and market fresh pomegranates, pomegranate arils, and a selection of delicious pomegranate-blended juices and teas. With over 9,000 acres in California’s Central Valley, POM Wonderful is committed to unleashing the antioxidant power of our handpicked pomegranates. 

Compensation: :$19.00

Assist in supervision of all quality assurance functions, implementation, development, audit and maintenance of plant’s quality and food safety systems in Fresh and Aril plants during season. Also, including HACCP / FSMA to assure compliance and customer satisfaction by monitoring of quality assurance personnel, training, and maintain order in technical expertise. Provide technical support/resource for quality assurance personnel, production, and other plant departments. In the counter season, perform process checker’s duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

DURING SEASON- Fresh/Arils (1st shift)

• Responsible for supporting the sustainment of POM Wonderful’ s FSMA Food Safety Program through continuous monitoring of preventive controls including:
• Hourly chlorine and PAA checks
• Ensure compliances with all quality assurance and food safety testing, including:
• Finished good product testing: pH, brix, TA%, sensory, damage, moisture, debris, decay, etc.
• Sanitation verification: visual inspection post sanitation, zone 1 swab collection.
• In-process checks: cup seals, cup artworks, best-by-date prints.
• Equipment calibration: scales, pH meters, Smart Wash, etc.
• Responsible for water sample collection for 3rd party testing:
• Collect water samples from various washing flumes / tanks.
• Submit water samples to internal QA lab.
• Responsible for glass audits for Plant 1, 2 and Aril:
• Perform glass audits of Plant 1, 2 and Aril monthly during season.
• Ensure that glass audit corrective actions are 100% completed within 3 days.
• PC Documentation and Training:
• Responsible for updating policies and procedures with new processes at the discretion of QA supervisors / managers / directors.
• Responsible for document compliance and training updated policies and procedures.
• Provide the up-to-date version of documents to Process Checkers.

Recordkeeping

• Aril and Plant Line Check documents
• Ensure that all the quality documents are turned in at the end of shift.
• Ensure all the out-of-compliance quality documentation is corrected.
• If the non-compliances on quality are found, retrain Process Checkers on proper documentation procedures.  
• Responsible for data entry of:

1. Brittle plastic & glass audits
2. Hourly line check results
3. Special projects as assigned by Quality supervisor / manager

Personnel

• Lead weekly Process Checker scheduling
• Review employees’ time off requests.
• Create weekly PC schedule based on production run and employees’ requests.
• Update attendance tracker.
• Responsible for monitoring employees’ performance and attendance
• Ensure that the employee reports to work on time and immediately reports to supervisor / manager if the employee has not reported to work within 5 minutes after their scheduled time.
• Communicate the attendance and performance issues with supervisor and assist supervisor with drafting the disciplinary action.
• Responsible for real time decision making for personnel and out-of-spec quality checks.
• Initiate root cause analysis for out-of-spec quality checks and communicate all issues to QA and production supervisors.
• Ensure that personnel follow POM Safety Guidelines:
• Conduct weekly behavior-based observations and participate in Job Hazard Analysis.

OFF SEASON- Beverage (3rd shift)

• Discard or reject any product that does not meet specifications.  
• Compliance with companies GMP’s. 
• Notify supervisors and other personnel of production problems, and assist in identifying and correcting these problems.
• Record information or test data. 
• Conduct routine and non-routine analyses of in-process materials, raw materials, environmental samples, finished goods, or stability samples.
• Calibrate, validate, or maintain laboratory equipment. 
• Compile laboratory test data and perform appropriate analyses. 
• Complete documentation needed to support testing procedures including data capture forms, equipment logbooks, or inventory forms. 
• Monitor testing procedures to ensure that all tests are performed according to established item specifications, standard test methods, or protocols.
• Other duties may apply when requested. 

PERCENT OF TIME COMMITMENT:

• 75%-Quality execution by closely monitoring quality operation, monitor and coordinate team members to ensure execution of tasks on a daily basis to avoid causing downtime.
• 10% –Improving Quality Operations:  through validating policies and procedures, policies adherence, identifying improvement opportunity and problem solving.
• 10%-Accurate Quality reporting: log accurate data for on-going tasks and report the results to quality management.
• 5%-Executing administrative tasks:  review and reply to emails, review and post employee schedule.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• A logical thinker with the ability to work hands on to complete given tasks.
• Knowledge in food safety and quality assurance.
• Promote communication, involve staff and employees, support staff, communicate objectives and develop employee potential. Lead problem-solving efforts through team meetings and on-the-floor leadership to effectively influence positive change and continuous improvement.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to provide guidance and assistance to all levels of employees, with professional communication skills, directing personnel on duties and assignments.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously. Meet deadlines consistently, perform efficiently and effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to scheduling and environments.
• Demonstrated problem solving and conflict management skills.
• Ability to perform analysis and communicate results effectively.
• Computer-literate, intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Suite.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Characteristics should include but not be limited to: being able to work with others; work efficiently with little or no supervision; understand and able to do basic math equations, speak the data that is being collected and open availability including evenings and weekends.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Experience in a leading capacity, with a specific emphasis in food safety or quality assurance, preferably within a production/manufacturing setting, for 2-4 years, or having a Bachelor Degree in Food Science, Microbiology or applicable majors is preferred.

POM's Dedication to You:

• Competitive benefits package including Medical (including 24/7 online access to a physician), Vision, Dental and 401k with match eligibility
• Opportunities for development and internal mobility
• Manager and leadership training, biweekly L&OD webinars, and eLearning offerings
• Companywide problem solving and continuous improvement training
• Wonderful Giving (wonderfulgiving.com) - allowing you to donate company money to a cause of your choice
• Company focus on wellness and health including virtual yoga and mindful meditation classes

POM Wonderful is the largest grower and producer of fresh pomegranates and pomegranate juice in the United States as well as the worldwide leader in fresh California pomegranates and pomegranate-based products including our 100% pomegranate juices, healthy juice blends and teas. We grow, handpick and juice our own pomegranates to ensure the highest quality.

POM Wonderful is part of The Wonderful Company, a privately held $5 billion company, which also has other No. 1 brands such as Wonderful® Pistachios, FIJI® Water, Wonderful® Halos®, JUSTIN® Wine, and Teleflora®. To learn more about The Wonderful Company, visit www.wonderful.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To view the current Corporate Social Responsibility report, visit www.wonderful.com/csr.

The Wonderful Company is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

EEO is the law - click here for more information

EEO is the law - click here for more information