FSQ Supervisor at Maryland & Virginia Milk dba Maola – Newport News, Virginia

SHIFT: 1st

Why you will love working at Maola:

• Built on over a century of dedication, Maola is always looking ahead—investing in our people, strengthening our communities, and securing fresh, local dairy for the future.
• Join a farmer-owned cooperative rooted in integrity, sustainability, and a passion for providing fresh, high-quality Maola dairy products.
• We prioritize your well-being with competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with employer match, Life Insurance, paid time off, and more—available within your first month.
• Our employees are an integral part of who we are — what you do and what you think matters.

Starting Annual Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000

SUMMARY

The Quality Assurance Supervisor is responsible for the monitoring and advancement of our food safety and quality programs. Throughout daily process checks as well as short- and long-term projects, the QA Supervisor will ensure that all procedures are meeting regulatory compliance, so that our beverage is a safe quality product for our consumers. This position is also responsible for the daily functioning of the lab, including but not limited to; employee development, safety, continuous improvement, data analysis, problem solving, and regulatory compliance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Responsible for providing strong leadership and support to Lab Technicians to ensure that food safety and quality standards are achieved.
• Responsible for ensuring smooth day-to-day operation in the lab. Can effectively delegate tasks/projects to team members.
• Oversee the development and implementation of the SQF system. Ensure the SQF system is effective through regular verification and validation.
• Prepare for and support external audits including SQF, regulatory audits and other certification (such as kosher) audits.
• Continuously improve the SQF system to ensure it meets the highest standards of food safety
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining lab SOPs and training for Lab Technicians.
• Order lab supplies, coordinate with contractors, maintain lab equipment while keeping the department under budget.
• Drive external and internal CAPA activities including addressing customer complaints.
• Conduct trend analyses and hold regular meetings to report Quality Key Performance Metrics (KPMs) including environmental monitoring results and shelf-life study results.
• Perform Lab Technician duties when needed to ensure coverage.
• Act as a backup to Sr. Quality Assurance Manager as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below 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.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in food, Biological, or Chemistry Science and/ or 2+ years of work experience in Quality Assurance in food (dairy preferred) or pharmaceutical manufacturing.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Experience in supervising/lead positions. Able to set clear expectations for the team as well as motivating and supporting the team.
• Experience in GFSI (SQF), HACCP, FSMA, GMP.
• Excellent communication skills. Has a sense of urgency and understands how to prioritize food safety and customer satisfaction.
• Ability to multitask efficiently and accurately. Can adapt to a fast-paced working environment and be motivated to learn.
• Good record keeping skills and great attention to detail.
• Exhibit good problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint and other basic computer programs.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• SQF Practitioner (certified or qualified by experience)
• PCQI certified or ability to become certified.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is regularly required to use hands for typing and plating; talk and hear for communication; and smell and taste for sensory testing of our product. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (collecting samples from the cooler). Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception (for facility audits). Occasionally employees will need to climb and/or balance to collect samples via catwalk or ladder.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to the lab/office type environment alongside a manufacturing environment. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, refrigerated conditions, moving mechanical parts, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is also occasionally exposed to the following food allergens: milk, soy, peanut, tree nuts, egg, and wheat. The noise level in the lab/office environment is usually moderate, whereas hearing protection is needed in the manufacturing environment.

Maola Local Dairies is a farmer-owned cooperative sustainably producing a full suite of nutritious dairy products. Maola processes milk, cream, butter, and dry milk powders through our network of six dairy processing plants. With a keen eye on quality, freshness, and love for the environment, Maola delivers dairy products that are both nutritious and sustainable to our local communities. For more information about Maola, please visit www.maolamilk.com.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.