Ingredient Evaluation Specialist

Job Title: Ingredient Evaluation Specialist This position is responsible to coordinate delivery monitoring and systematic evaluation of all ingredients and packaging. Assist in review, approval and monitoring performance of raw ingredients & suppliers, packaging, effective communication with management and customers, maintenance of regulatory and customer compliance as outlined below in definition of job duties.

Work Specifications – Responsibilities:

• Responsible to maintain company food safety and quality standards.
• Review of documentation including certificates of analysis and ability to interpret collected information as it relates to regulatory & internal standards.
• Responsible for ingredient addition, deletion and maintenance to Kosher schedule A and B. Meets as needed with Rabbi for review.
• Assist in maintaining Ingredient & Supplier Risk Matrix and assessments of vendor supplied documentation.
• Ability to apply consistent evaluation criteria to ingredient & supplier documentation
• At receiving dock onsite and off-site at third party warehouse: verifies ingredients are on schedule A, collects, sensory reviews, tests, and microbiologically interprets samples of all raw ingredients for production use.
• Databases microbiological and sensory results.
• Release ingredients for blending use in Protean system.
• Maintains ingredient expiration dates in Protean system.
• Samples incoming packaging at receipt for review comparison to the proof and release of packaging materials.
• Notifies customers of obsolete and expired ingredients, obtains release form or customer directions and communicates information to warehouse supervisor. Takes care of disposition in Protean and Crystal reports.
• Issues QC Hold for ingredients that are in question or expired by paper and database.
• Supports all Steuben Foods regulatory and customer audits related to ingredients.
• Effectively communicates and maintains a positive working atmosphere with assigned staff and other areas of the plant.
• Performs tasks in compliance with all company standards, including those for safety and efficiency.
• Communicate with all vendor contacts regarding ingredient material issues; assist with submission of material claims to appropriate vendors.
• Support plant quality improvement initiatives.
• Ability to perform all Quality Raw Material Tech & Ingredient Documentation Coordinator responsibilities as a direct back-up to the positions.
• At offsite warehouse, additional duties that may be required to support the business including: raw material receipt verifications, periodic cycle counts, and general liaison for similar such needs.
• Oversees collection and testing of raw ingredients, data pertaining to incoming ingredients.
• Performs any other duties as assigned or required.

Education/Prerequisite Requirements:

• Minimum Associates or Military degree in Technical or Physical Sciences or related job training.
• 3+ years of experience in the food industry, quality assurance, laboratory (technician) preferred.
• Grade 2 Technical Licensing or obtainable upon position acceptance.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Sound written and verbal communication skills – including facilitation and maintenance of communication channels between different vested parties.

• Willingness and ability to learn.

• High standard of organization.

• Ability to manage multiple activities and set priorities daily.

• Comfort in directly interfacing with customers and certifying bodies (e.g., remote meetings)

• Technical competence to use and, as necessary, learn:

• Microsoft Office

• Information management platforms (e.g., document exchange systems)

Schedule: As needed, based on ingredient/package material receipts and/or business needs. Job duties expected to support both onsite at Steuben & offsite at local third party warehouse(s)

Salary Range: $65,000 - $70,000 Steuben Foods is committed to equal employment opportunity. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.