Job Description Summary:
The Quality Assurance (QA) Coordinator supports the consistent application of Aviagen's quality, food safety, sanitation, and production standards. This position is primarily responsible for verifying production processes, packaging and labeling requirements, sanitation practices, product specifications, and required quality documentation. The QA Coordinator also supports inventory control, product hold and release activities, sampling programs, and the identification and resolution of quality-related issues.
The position works closely with Production Team Members, Team Leaders, Supervisors, and Quality Assurance personnel to ensure products and processes meet established specifications and company requirements. All responsibilities are performed in accordance with company policies and procedures, applicable National Chicken Council (NCC) Animal Welfare Guidelines, and local, state, and federal requirements.
- Monitor production processes and activities to verify compliance with established quality, food safety, sanitation, and product specifications.
- Communicate effectively with Production and QA Team Members, Team Leaders, and Supervisors to ensure proper handling of products and timely identification and correction of quality deficiencies.
- Conduct routine production line inspections and review associated documentation throughout the shift to verify compliance with established specifications and procedures.
- Verify compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), sanitation requirements, hygiene standards, and other applicable quality procedures.
- Verify that product labels, lot codes, bags, boxes, packaging materials, and pallets meet established requirements and are properly printed, applied, sealed, identified, and stacked.
- Verify the receipt of incoming raw materials, ingredients, packaging, and other applicable materials against established specifications and documentation requirements.
- Promptly communicate materials or products that do not meet specifications to the appropriate Shipping/Receiving, Production, and Quality Assurance leadership.
- Assist Production teams with day-to-day quality concerns by helping identify issues, determine appropriate corrective actions, and implement workable solutions.
- Perform or coordinate required microbiological sampling, environmental swabbing, product sampling, and other quality testing according to established schedules, locations, and procedures.
- Accurately complete, review, and maintain quality assurance records, inspection forms, sampling documentation, logs, and other required records.
- Identify, document, segregate, and control products or materials placed on hold to prevent unauthorized use or release.
- Support the review and authorized release of held products or materials after applicable quality requirements have been satisfied.
- Assist with inventory control activities related to quality assurance, product holds, samples, supplies, and other controlled materials.
- Identify and promptly report product, process, sanitation, packaging, labeling, or documentation discrepancies.
- Assist with investigations of quality concerns and support corrective and preventive actions as directed by Quality Assurance leadership.
- Support internal inspections, audits, regulatory activities, and other quality assurance initiatives as required.
- Maintain accurate and complete records to support product traceability, quality verification, and audit readiness.
- Follow established biosecurity procedures and help ensure compliance with facility-specific biosecurity requirements.
- Perform work in accordance with company policies, safety programs, quality standards, NCC Animal Welfare Guidelines, and applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
- Perform other quality assurance and operational duties as assigned.
Job Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Minimum of one year of quality assurance, quality control, production, agricultural operations, food safety, or related experience preferred; relevant Aviagen operational experience may be considered.
- Working knowledge of quality assurance, sanitation, GMP, inventory, or production processes preferred.
- Basic to intermediate computer skills with the ability to accurately enter, maintain, and retrieve information from applicable systems.
- Intermediate math skills, including the ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and perform calculations required for quality and production activities.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately complete and review documentation.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to identify discrepancies and communicate quality concerns clearly and promptly.
- Ability to follow written procedures, specifications, work instructions, and regulatory requirements.
- Ability to work effectively with limited supervision and demonstrate initiative in completing assigned responsibilities.
- Ability to communicate and work cooperatively with employees at multiple levels of the organization.
- Demonstrated dependability, integrity, and commitment to maintaining quality standards.
- Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, extended shifts, or alternative schedules based on operational requirements.
- Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and comply with applicable safety and biosecurity requirements.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during the work shift.
- Ability to frequently bend, reach, stoop, kneel, and perform other movements associated with production and quality inspection activities.
- Ability to lift and move materials weighing up to 60 pounds when required.
- Work may be performed in wet, dusty, humid, or temperature-variable environments.
- Regular exposure to poultry, agricultural environments, and associated odors.
- Required to wear applicable PPE and follow facility safety, sanitation, animal welfare, and biosecurity requirements.
Safety, Quality, and Animal Welfare
All employees are expected to perform their responsibilities in accordance with Aviagen safety, quality, biosecurity, animal welfare, and operational standards. Employees are responsible for promptly identifying and reporting conditions that could affect employee safety, animal welfare, product quality, food safety, biosecurity, or regulatory compliance.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Aviagen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
