Food Safety Quality Assurance Lead

Based in Wheeling, WV, the Ziegenfelder Company is a private, family-owned frozen novelty manufacturer that focuses solely on producing the highest quality frozen ice novelties, commonly referred to as twin pops. We are the largest manufacturer of twin pops in the country with production facilities in Wheeling, WV; Chino, CA; Lockhart, TX; and Denver, CO. 

The Ziegenfelder Company has produced steady and significant double-digit growth year after year for the past 15 years while growing our tribe from 60 employees in one facility with three production lines to over 300 employees across four facilities and 18 production lines.  Core to our success has always been making the highest quality, best tasting products in the market and selling them to valued customers at the best possible price.  The Ziegenfelder Company owns and produces the brand Budget Saver, as well as, licensed and private labeled products for premiere retailers, such as The Kroger Co., Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and Walmart.  24/7 operations in our three facilities, generates over 2.5 million pops per day.

Ziegenfelder’s growth and success is clearly due to our dedicated tribe.  We value integrity, creativity and innovation, and are committed to positively impacting our workforce and the communities in which we live and work.

Essential Functions

A Ziegenfelder Food Safety and Quality Assurance Team Lead is responsible for:

·        Ensuring that finished Ziegenfelder treats are ready for delivery to customers by properly preparing raw material inputs, monitoring production processes, and inspecting final products.

·        Analyzing and documenting quality assurance processes and making recommendations for improvements.

·        Coordinate the implementation, maintenance, review, and continuous improvement of SQF programs, policies, procedures, records, and supporting documentation.

·        Serve as a primary resource for SQF system requirements, including food safety plans, prerequisite programs, GMPs, sanitation, allergen controls, traceability, recall readiness, document control, training, internal audits, corrective actions, food defense, and food fraud prevention.

·        Conduct or coordinate internal audits, inspections, mock recalls, traceability exercises, and verification activities to confirm the effectiveness of food safety and quality systems.

·        Conducting production support to include mix making, equipment cleaning, product quality testing/sampling, and completion of the master sanitation schedule tasks.

·        Ensures the proper and consistent preparation or mixing of chemicals.

·        Review, trend, and communicate food safety and quality data to identify risks, recurring issues, improvement opportunities, and corrective or preventive actions.

·        Supervises the sanitation team to ensure safe cleaning protocols on production equipment and surrounding areas.

·        Lead sanitation team in cleaning of equipment before releasing back into productions and verifying with ATP testing by following the master sanitation program to ensure production of a quality product.

·        Ensure and oversee the daily sanitation of all production lines and surrounding areas as well as properly documenting all cleaning tasks.

·        Assisting with and following all HACCP, SQF, GMP, SOP, and SSOP programs and coordinating all documentation to ensure compliance with all federal, state, local, and Ziegenfelder directives, policies, and procedures. Will serve as back up SQF practitioner.

·        Performing microbiological and chemistry testing to ensure product safety.

·        Aiding internal lab functions including microbial samples, document completion & control, comparing internal laboratory results with outside laboratory results, and product release / hold management.

·        Conducting regular audits of documentation to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and Ziegenfelder directives, policies, and procedures.

·        Receive sugar trucks and verify COA compliance to company specifications.

·        Conducting and maintaining all sugar orders and processes.

·        Develop, deliver, and document employee training related to SQF, HACCP, GMPs, SOPs, sanitation, allergen control, food defense, and other food safety topics.

·        Partner with plant management, quality, production, sanitation, maintenance, warehouse, purchasing, and HR teams to promote consistent application of SQF and food safety expectations.

·        Assist QA Manager with all third party audits.

·        Train and qualify new employees in job duties including mix making, equipment cleaning, product quality testing/sampling, and completion of the master sanitation schedule tasks.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

·        Preference will be given to Food Science, Food Technology Degree, or other related fields, however, not required experience will be considered.

·        HACCP and PCQI certifications required.

·        SQF practitioner certification is a plus.

·        Experience and training with Food Safety, SQF, Sanitation (SSOP & GMP) and/or other food safety systems and Quality Assurance process improvement skills required.  SQF certification preferred, but not required.

·        Food Sanitation courses preferred, but not required.

·        Strong computer skills to include the use of Microsoft Office products.

·        Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Physical Abilities

·        Standing up to 12 hours per day.

·        Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, bending, twisting, reaching, grasping, and push/pull actions frequently during a shift.

·        May need to exert up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally; up to 30lbs. of force frequently; and up to 10lbs. of force constantly.

·        Good spatial awareness working around manufacturing equipment.

·        Visual acuity to perform tasks.

·        Ability to stay focused on tasks at hand to finish in a timely manner.

·        Willingness to travel to other facilities, if necessary.

Working Conditions

·        Subject to cold temperatures of less than 32F for more than one hour with proper protection equipment.

·        May be subject to noise above 85 decibels with proper protection equipment.

·        Ability to work in cold, hot, and wet environments.

·        May be exposed to outdoor weather conditions.

Who We Are
The Armstrong Group is a family owned and operated collection of diverse companies. What began in 1946 as Armstrong County Line Construction, founded by Jud L. Sedwick in Kittanning, PA, has now grown into an organization that encompasses multiple industries and employs over 2,400 individuals nationwide. Our brands include Armstrong Utilities, Guardian Protection, Armstrong Development, 4Front Solutions, Twin Pops, and Armstrong Comfort Solutions.   

Armstrong is an Equal Opportunity Employer.