Quality Specialist - Micro Lab bei Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream

Role 

• Employee shall lead by example compliance to required GMP, GLP, quality and food safety requirements. 

• Escalate quality or food safety findings or incidents to management. 

• Supports improvement initiatives 
• Assist, coach and train line operators, micro lab technician and mix makers in attaining quality standards. 

Activities  

• Quality specialist will be assigned to assist quality supervisor with oversight in hygiene, operational quality or food safety/compliance. Specific assignments will be given by quality supervisor and will relate to supervisor’s area of oversight. 
• Oversight of assigned systems to ensure they are in compliance with sanitation, food safety, regulatory and/or quality requirements.  Oversight includes auditing, coaching, identifying and closing gaps and reporting system integrity to supervisor quarterly.      
• Verify finished product release criteria (microbiological and pathogen testing results) and food safety checks.   
• Represent The Froneri Way of working through the behaviors and characteristics in our Operating Model and Core Values 
• Perform internal audits as assigned, follow up on CA and complete documentation. 
• Perform CIP line inspections as needed.  CIP line inspections include visual verification, micro swabs and ATP swabs. 
• Be able to set into technician role anytime and be able to perform the role proficient level.  
• Read, calculate, and record data in Quality system such as GLOBE. 
• Perform rapid test methods and identify the bacteria. 
• Pipette sample solution into plates according to the analysis process being performed.  
• Prepare sample for analysis by recording, weighing and blending.  
• Perform monthly the factory’s Air monitoring microbiological testing. Follow up with all deviations and corrective actions.  
• Perform quarterly and annual factory’s Water monitoring microbiological testing. Follow up with all deviations and corrective actions.  
• Calibrate the all thermometers and record of the thermometers per the facilities procedure.  
• Verify all pathogen certification analysis from third party laboratory correct information before release. Any deviation to follow up and complete corrective actions.  
• Monitor and manage the Allergen program (validation and verification).  
• Monitor swabbing plan and results part of the environmental monitoring program.  
• Keep record of all team member’s training record and perform annual compliance training of team members and mix makers.  
• Calibrate and verify all laboratory equipment. Be able to troubleshoot all equipment.  
• diagnose and maintain analytical equipment in the mix room.  
• Any microbiological deviation leads the investigation (Lesson Learnt), work with production to find clear root cause and corrective actions. Support root cause analysis investigations and suggest appropriate corrective actions.  
• Perform P-test for microbiological and chemistry two times a year.  

Systems that can be assigned to Quality Specialist include:  

• Allergen management program: Verification/ Validation  
• Finished Products: release, hold and rework/reprocessing documentation review. 
• Sensory program 
• Environmental Monitoring Program 
• Document control for quality, food safety and/or micro records 
• Micro and Chemistry Training  
• Thermometer and balance Calibration Program  

Measurable Outcomes & Levels of responsibility  

• Lead investigation for Micro and Environmental “lesson learnt “ 
• Reduction of pallets on holds 
• Good Laboratory Practice: Maintain knowledge and following all GLP in the laboratory. Practicing safe working place and reporting out any unsafe behavior through proactive near miss. Maintaining knowledge of biohazard and biosecurity as part of GLP and the factory procedure.  Perform all routine and nonroutine task with highest quality and integrity.  
• Calibration program: track and manage thermometers, probes, analytical equipment such as balance and ph meter. Ensure all analytical equipment is monitored and tracked with all corrective action. Organize a schedule of all calibration and record keeping all COA.   
• Verification analytical program (risk-based on frequency and monitoring) 
• Biohazard Waste program: manage, record and demonstrate compliance in using autoclave also completing verification and basic troubleshoot knowledge. Record all waste activities on log and corrective actions.  
• Validation/ Verification Program: Coordinate and support the production on upcoming schedule of validation/ verification. Allergen and microbiological indicator quick Swab according to SOP. Fill out correct submission form and plate the quick swabs. Follow up with all out of specification and attach root cause of all deviation related to allergen and microbiological failures. Complete the packet with testing results and validation/ verification form.  
• Listeria Treatment Program: Inform production on any locations suspect of Listeria. Coordinate and support the production on upcoming treatments and fill out treatment form and email out to the production team. Once treatment is complete, complete environmental swabs on the test site. Build packet with all test results and Listeria treatment form.  
• Finished product pH program: Maintain updated product list of each of the platform. Complete all new product Ph and record all information on log sheet and electronic spreadsheet.  
• Supplies management program: Keep track of supplies and usage. Inform supervisor on supplies getting low. Changeling to reduce most of supplies by finding alternative supplies or eliminating the usage.  
• Routine Performance: Ensuring all sample collection up to plating was performed according to standard operation. Data entry was matched the log sheet and the entry on GLOBE. Accurate reading of test method petrifilm according to 3M petrifilm manual. Following up to all incorrect sample error, missing micro samples, any corrective actions in micro lab, and environmental swabbing of locations.  
• Air and water testing: Perform air and water testing of the facility per SOP. All out of specification locations are followed up with corrective actions and root cause. Upload the log sheet to shared folder.  Be able to perform basic pH, ascetic sample collection, and plating sample.  

BEHAVIORS AND CORE VALUES: Must consistently showcase the desired behaviors that represent our Core Values.  

We Take Ownership  

• Stay committed to responsibilities from start to finish 
• Make sound decisions and get into the right level of detail 
• Apply resources to initiatives that add growth, improve efficiencies, or reduce waste 

We Do What Is Right  

• Choose transparency over convenience, even if it means difficult conversations 
• Set clear roles and responsibilities, enabling everyone to exercise appropriate initiative and judgment 
• Speak up when you see something that does not align to our values and policies 

We Seek to Improve  

• Strive to continuously improve and innovate to exceed expectations 
• Value feedback from others and encourage open dialogue to understand how we can improve  
• Learn from both successes and failures  

We Are Better Together  

• Ensure decisions are based on what’s best for the whole business  
• Practice inclusion by seeking diverse perspectives 
• Treat everyone with fairness and respect 

WORK ENVIRONEMENT   

In this position, the employee will regularly work with and around others; in a wet and/or humid environment; in areas of high noise level; and around mechanical, electrical, and pressurized equipment. The work is fast paced.      

The position involves frequent exposure to nuts and other potential allergens.      

The pay scale for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. At Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The pay range for prospective employees in this role is $70,000 per year.

 Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Inc. provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants, regardless of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.