Wawa

Job Description

Position Summary:

Manages all food safety and quality programs at Wawa Dairy (WD) to ensure compliance to food safety, sanitation, and product quality standards in the manufacturing, storage, and the distribution of Wawa branded dairy and beverage products. Supervises the Dairy Laboratory to ensure that proper testing protocols are followed. Ensures compliance to all federal, state and local regulations including FDA, PMO, IMS and State Department of Agriculture.

Principal Duties:

• Manage internal and third party or regulatory audits of WD and ensures all written programs and documentation are in place for food safety, sanitation, FSMA, and HACCP standards including juice, beverage and dairy manufacturing to meet compliance with government regulations and Wawa standards.
• Oversee the supplier risk program for WD. Audit or review third party audits for dairy and beverage ingredient and packaging suppliers, and co-packers of Wawa Brand Products to evaluate compliance to GMPs, SSOPs, HACCP, food quality, food safety and food security standards. Ensure that systems are in place to provide Wawa with safe, quality products and ingredients.
• Manage quality, microbial, and organoleptic/sensory testing of beverage and dairy ingredients, finish, and co-packed products. Assure laboratory is stocked with required consumables and that testing equipment is properly calibrated and maintained.
• Analyze all test results to determine trends for process improvements, corrective action and to offset potential product quality and shelf life issues. Utilize discernment and judgment to determine hold or release of daily production based on test results.
• Manage environmental monitoring and sanitation effectiveness monitoring programs. Monitor sanitation practices to ensure and enhance shelf-life standards and product safety and quality. Work with WD Management and third party sanitation company to modify and/or enhance sanitation procedures to address gaps as necessary.
• Manage allergen control and testing program. Review new ingredients and products for allergen content and adjust allergen testing matrix and processes as needed.
• Review product complaints to determine trends of product quality or food safety issues. Conduct research and product testing to determine possible root causes. Work with WD Operations, Marketing, and/or suppliers as needed to implement appropriate actions to resolve identified issues.. Recommend initiation of Recall or Withdrawal and/or halt distribution of non-conforming product as needed.
• Partner with WD Management to proactively identify, evaluate and determine process improvements to address food safety or quality issues and provide strategic food safety and quality insight to Operations as needed.
• Manage Quality Assurance and Food Safety Orientation, GMP Training and other ad-hoc food safety training for WBC associates.
• Design, build and implement new Quality Management System programs aligned with GFSI Certification standards as needed. Ensure compliance to regulatory and Wawa standards. Gain alignment with WBC Management for support and proper execution of new programs where necessary.
• Provide QA leadership during new product development and pilot testing for WD brand ingredients and products. Partner with Marketing, WD Wholesale, and Product Development to define product specifications including microbial standards. Design testing protocols for food products and ingredients including microbial, shelf life, challenge, and organoleptic/sensory. Establish proper product shelf life and handling practices are written and communicated prior to product rollout.
• Develop, review and approve ingredient and nutritional statement labels for WD products to ensure compliance to the FDA and USDA labeling guidelines.
• Design, execute and maintain all regulatory records and procedures to ensure all the requirements of the Appendix N program for the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance are in compliance. Serve as primary liaison with the Laboratory Evaluation Officer for the state of PA. Conduct biennial laboratory inspection/evaluation process with the PA Dept. of Agriculture to assure certification is maintained. Implement appropriate corrective action as indicated by the inspection. Complete all required documentation. Achieve and maintain certification from the PA Department of Agriculture as an approved Laboratory Director.
• Maintain relationships with Federal and State regulatory agencies including but not restricted to the USDA, FDA, FSIS, and Department of Agriculture.
• Manage and prepares the WD Quality Assurance budget.
• Provide overall direction for team and support and monitor and assess individual work in accordance with high standards of excellence. Provide feedback, coaching, support, opportunities for development, complete performance appraisals, take corrective action when appropriate, and participate in hiring decisions.

Essential Functions:

• Ability to work well individually as well as in a team environment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to work with little or no supervision
• Detail oriented with excellent organizational and time management skills
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills
• Ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously and independently
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Proven self-starter with demonstrated ability to make decisions
• Excellent leadership skills
• Willing to work a flexible schedule that includes weekend work, multiple shifts, and some holidays
• Establish and maintain a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, quality, creativity, and teamwork.

Basic Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Chemistry, or Food Science preferred
• 7+ years experience in a quality control laboratory in the food industry
• At least 5 years supervisory experience leading a team
• Fluid dairy along with juice, iced tea, and fruit drink experience preferred
• Experience in a GFSI Certified facility preferred
• Strong knowledge of Dairy regulation, FSMA, FDA Juice HACCP ,and demonstrated high level of proficiency in laboratory testing procedures, protocols, and techniques
• Proficient in Excel, Access or other data base tools

Wawa will provide reasonable accommodation to complete an application upon request, consistent with applicable law. If you require an accommodation, please contact our Associate Service Center at asc@wawa.com or 1-800-444-9292.

Wawa, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Wawa maintains a work environment in which Associates are treated fairly and with respect and in which discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. In accordance with federal, state and local laws, we recruit, hire, promote and evaluate all applicants and Associates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Unlawful discrimination will not be a factor in any employment decision.