Quality Systems Specialist

Job Summary

If you can believe it, we started out in 1874 canning sardines. But to our founder, Jasper Wyman, there was just something about the Wild Blueberry barrens surrounding his Maine cannery that compelled him. Eventually he realized you can package a sardine just about anywhere, but Wild Blueberries were unique to his little corner of the world. By 1900, Jasper had turned his focus towards that native wild resource, and over the next century the Wyman family grew to harvest thousands of acres of barrens across Maine and Canada. Today, Wyman?s is in its fourth generation of family ownership and is one of the leading purveyors of Wild Blueberries on the planet and the top selling brand of frozen fruit in U.S. retail.

JOB TITLE: Quality Systems Specialist

REPORTS TO: Director of Quality Assurance

LOCATION: Cherryfield, Maine/Hybrid

General Position Summary

The Quality Systems Specialist plays an important role in supporting Wyman?s Food Safety and Quality Management System across internal manufacturing sites, warehouses, and farming operations. The role is responsible for maintaining and updating SQF documentation, training materials, audit formats, customer request inquiries, and related quality system records.

This individual will work closely with the Quality Assurance Team and cross-functional departments to support regulatory compliance, SQF readiness, internal audits, corrective actions, and third-party certifications. This position will also serve as a back-up SQF Practitioner for Wyman?s internal plants and help ensure programs remain current, organized, and effectively implemented.

Essential Job Functions

• Maintain and keep up to date site SQF documentation including forms, procedures, training materials, and audit templates for internal plants.
• Coordinate on-site monthly audits at manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and other internal locations as assigned, utilizing a cross functional team of auditors .
• Document audit findings, define corrective actions, assign responsibility, and collaborate with functional leaders in quality, safety operations and maintenance to ensure corrective action closure.
• Work cross-functionally with Operations, Warehousing, Agriculture, Supply Chain, Sanitation, Maintenance, Procurement, and other internal teams to support quality system compliance and close audit observations
• Support SQF program maintenance and audit readiness for internal manufacturing facilities.
• Stay current with changes in SQF Code requirements and applicable federal regulatory policies related to manufacturing and farming operations.
• Be the customer facing quality leader by preparing documents, completing forms, and responding to customer documentation requests for COA?s and other customer needs related to food safety, quality, regulatory, and certification programs.
• Assist with microbiological sampling and review micro results in order to support COA creation and any corrective actions needed based on micro results.
• Maintain Non-GMO and Kosher certifications, including supporting documentation and communication with certification bodies as needed.
• Assist with the development, organization, and maintenance of training materials related to Food Safety, Quality Assurance, SQF, GMPs, Produce Safety, and regulatory programs.
• Assist with review, organization, and trending of quality system records, audit findings, and corrective actions.
• Ensure documentation is accurate, current, complete, and aligned with Wyman?s Food Safety and Quality programs.
• Help investigate plant holds, conduct root cause analysis, and support development and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor escalated complaints from customers and consumers that relate to Operations in Maine and Canada and investigate root causes, collaborate with stakeholders to develop corrective actions and preventive measures and keep the complaint tool updated.

Qualifications:

• Ability to interpret technical instructions, regulatory requirements, procedures, and customer documentation requests.
• Ability to think independently, define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Working knowledge of Food Safety, Quality Assurance, GMPs, SQF, HACCP, PCQI, and regulatory compliance preferred.
• Valid Driver?s License and Passport

Education & Work Experience

• Bachelor?s degree in food science, Biology, Microbiology, Agriculture, or related Science field preferred.
• 0 2 years of Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Regulatory, Food Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Agriculture, or related experience.
• Previous experience working in food manufacturing, warehousing, farming, or quality systems is a plus.
• HACCP, PCQI, SQF Practitioner Training a plus or willingness and ability to complete training and certification.

Physical Demand & Work Environment

This position will require working in variable manufacturing, warehouse, and freezer environments. The individual may be exposed to warm conditions up to approximately 90F and cold freezer environments down to approximately -20F. The role may also include exposure to wet or humid conditions, moving equipment, production areas, warehouse traffic, and other typical food manufacturing environments.

The individual must be able to lift or move up to 45 pounds and regularly sit, stand, walk, reach, talk, hear, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and smell. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Schedule and Hours

This is a full-time, hybrid position based out of the Cherryfield Manufacturing Facility. The individual will have an office in Cherryfield and may have the opportunity to work from home 1 to 2 days per week, depending on business needs, audit schedules, facility support requirements, and manager approval.

Primarily day shift schedule. Additional or adjusted hours may be required by the demands of the position, including support during Harvest, audit preparation, customer requests, or facility needs. Some travel will be required within Maine to internal warehouses and manufacturing facilities, as well as occasional travel to Prince Edward Island, Canada.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their application online using the link below.