SQ Technologist - Cheese

Internal applicants must apply by 11:30 PM, Friday, May 30th 2025.

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

Interprets Sargento Foods Inc. food safety and quality philosophy to suppliers.

Supports Quality Systems on internal projects as a technical resource.

Establishes and maintains internal and external relationships within the food safety and quality community.

Supports the selection, qualification and approval of suppliers by partnering with Procurement, R&D, Manufacturing, Food Safety & Quality, and Legal.

Assesses suppliers' capabilities through direct visits, technical discussions, capability studies, and audits.

Assesses supplier food safety plans and completes supplier and material risk assessments to assure food safety.

Monitors first production runs at suppliers for product appearance, functionality, performance, and adherence to Sargento Foods Inc. specifications.

Reviews Supplier Quality Evaluations, third-party audits and conducts Food Safety Audits to determine supplier approval status.

Review supplier supporting documents and records, in accordance with Food Safety & Quality document control procedures. Analyzes data to ensure the materials meet or exceed Sargento Foods Inc. food safety and quality standards throughout shelf-life. Works with suppliers to establish specification requirements. Provides information to create raw material/Co-Pack finished good specifications. Works with suppliers and R&D to establish specification requirements.

Coordinates the raw material risk and vulnerability assessment process, including evaluating the material for microbiological, chemical, and physical hazards. Conducts ready-to-eat assessments on raw materials/Co-Pack finished goods.

Develops and implements inspection criteria, procedures, and plans for raw materials/Co-Pack finished goods.

Leads the nonconformance process for the category working closely with Procurement. Communicates quality and food safety issues to suppliers. Provides assistance to develop corrective and preventive actions. Investigates and responds to customer and/or consumer complaints.

Investigates and responds to legal or consumer affairs requests from customers and consumers that require supplier information.

Works with customers in establishing specifications, reviewing supplier agreements, and resolving quality concerns.

Applies total quality management tools and approaches to continuous improvement projects.

Participates with Procurement in supplier performance reviews.

Supports Supplier Proficiency Testing Program.

Explores, identifies, and defines improvement areas in order to improve food safety and quality.

Supports strategic initiatives to reduce total cost.

Provides input into Supplier Quality budget.

Other duties as assigned by the Manager or department head.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

May or may not directly supervise 1-2 employees in the Supplier Quality Department. If there is a direct report, carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organizations policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

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 Science, Quality, Math, or other Science related field. As an alternative, a Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field plus 2 years' quality and food safety experience. Auditing and relevant, decision-making experience preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Proficiency with Microsoft Suite applications (Word, Excel, Access, Visio, PowerPoint), CARA and

Box. Ability to become proficient with DevEX, SAP and Minitab.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Expected to have or obtain Preventive Control Qualified Individual Certification within 1 year of accepting the position. Prefer to have or pursue Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), Certified HACCP Auditor (CHA), Certified Food Safety & Quality Auditor (CFSQA) or equivalent and HACCP certification within 1 year of accepting the position. Recommend obtaining an ASQ Certified Process Analyst (CQPA).

If applicable for role, must have Wisconsin American Cheese Grading License or willing to obtain within 3 years.

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 sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

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 occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid, cold conditions and moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Valid Driver's License required for travel among Sargento plants and to Sargento suppliers.

Requires up to 50% travel (include inter-company).