Regional Quality Coordinator (Primary Products Quality Assurance Officer) Full Time NEW

Position: Regional Quality Coordinator (Primary Products Quality Assurance Officer)

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $85,000 to $90,000 plus superannuation per annum

Location: Bowen QLD 4805

Our client is seeking a Regional Quality Coordinator (Primary Products Quality Assurance Officer) to join their team located in Bowen, Queensland.

As a Regional Quality Coordinator (Primary Products Quality Assurance Officer)you will be responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing monitoring, testing and application of quality assurance programmes across multiple primary production and processing operations within their designated region. This role coordinates production requirements as they relate to food safety, biosecurity and quality assurance, whilst providing technical expertise and advisory services to producers and operational teams across regional sites to ensure compliance with government and industry standards and consistent application of quality procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Actively support and participate in team meetings such as operations meetings, toolbox talks and training sessions across regional sites
• Support Management to build a culture where best practice and innovation are encouraged, acted upon, and communicated through the company
• Utilise metrics across the balanced scorecard to engage personnel and improve performance across the region
• Where nominated as the SQF Practitioner (or back up SQF Practitioner), take action to ensure maintenance of the integrity of the Safe Quality Foods (SQF) and other approved systems/standards across regional operations
• Coordinate the development, implementation and oversight of monitoring, testing and application of quality assurance programmes across multiple primary production and processing operations within the region
• Coordinate production requirements as they relate to food safety, biosecurity and quality assurance across regional sites
• Advise producers and processors on regulations related to grading, packing, processing and loading of products across the region
• Inform producers and operational teams of the health implications of diseases and impurities impacting primary products
• Ensure standardisation of quality procedures and practices across all sites within the designated region
• Travel between facilities within the region to conduct inspections, provide support and ensure consistent application of quality standards
• Coordinate regional quality performance reporting and provide consolidated updates to management
• Actively promote positive communication with teams across all regional production sites
• Maintain required documentation and contribute to the development and enhancement of regional Operations Teams through providing applicable training and toolbox delivery
• Develop and coordinate training plans, refresher training and conduct gap analysis based on regular assessments across regional sites
• Ensure employees across the region are completing training and documentation/record keeping in accordance with Farming Company standards
• Support adherence to quality procedures and processes by coaching and mentoring site operations teams across the region
• Provide technical guidance and advice to primary producers and processing staff on quality assurance matters across multiple sites
• Mentor junior quality staff in inspection techniques and compliance requirements at regional level
• Coordinate resource allocation and support between sites within the region to optimise quality outcomes
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and best practice transfer between regional sites
• Coordinate the development, implementation, auditing and monitoring of quality assurance procedures at farms and primary product processing facilities across the region to ensure compliance with required standards
• Conduct inspections of animals, plants and agricultural produce across regional sites to identify product quality issues, and provide advice to producers
• Coordinate testing of samples of produce for quality, size and purity ensuring that required standards are met across the region
• Ensure that hygiene standards are observed in storage, processing and packing facilities, and transport vehicles across all regional operations
• Proactively support the teams by monitoring adherence to the Quality Management System (QMS) across regional sites
• Coordinate cleaning and pest prevention programmes in accordance with the company standards across the region
• Monitor and coordinate compliance with internal audit and verification maps/calendars across all regional sites
• Ensure all relevant documents are completed in support of the QMS and training requirements across the region
• Responsible for ensuring compliance to all Food Safety Standards including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) across regional operations
• Ensure all materials and services provided comply with specifications relating to GMP and GAP by coordinating with approved suppliers across the region
• Maintain consolidated regional paperwork and be accountable for record keeping of quality related documents and procedures
• Represent internal and external regional audits as directed by manager
• Coordinate investigation and resolution of customer complaints and warnings across the region through root cause analysis, with CARs carried out as required
• Monitor compliance with biosecurity requirements and protocols across all regional facilities
• Conduct regular inspections of primary production areas, processing facilities and transport vehicles across the region
• Ensure consistent quality standards and procedures are applied across all regional sites
• Provide technical expertise on food safety, quality assurance and biosecurity matters to producers and processing teams
• Advise primary producers on economic aspects of disease eradication and quality improvement initiatives
• Support the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for primary production and processing activities
• Assist in the evaluation and implementation of new quality technologies and methodologies
• Collaborate with external technical experts, suppliers and industry bodies on quality matters
• Contribute to the development of quality specifications for primary products
• Support new product development initiatives with technical quality input
• Provide technical expertise on food safety, quality assurance and biosecurity matters to producers and processing teams
• Advise primary producers on economic aspects of disease eradication and quality improvement initiatives
• Support the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for primary production and processing activities
• Assist in the evaluation and implementation of new quality technologies and methodologies
• Collaborate with external technical experts, suppliers and industry bodies on quality matters
• Contribute to the development of quality specifications for primary products
• Support new product development initiatives with technical quality input.

Requirements:

• Diploma or higher in a highly relevant field
• Minimum three (3) years’ highly relevant experience in quality assurance within primary production or food processing industry at appropriate skill level
• Experience in developing, implementing, auditing and monitoring quality procedures at farms and food handling/processing facilities
• Demonstrated experience in inspecting primary products and providing technical advice to producers
• Experience in sample testing and laboratory procedures for quality, size and purity assessment
• Knowledge of HACCP Systems and/or other quality standards (SQF, FreshCare, organic certification)
• Experience coordinating quality activities across multiple sites or regions (highly desirable)
• Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel regularly between facilities within the designated region

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership, coordination and mentoring skills across multiple sites
• Intermediate Microsoft Office skills (including Excel) with ability to consolidate regional reporting
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across diverse team environments
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to provide technical advice to diverse audiences across multiple locations
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with regional perspective
• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy in inspections and testing across multiple facilities
• Self-motivated with ability to take initiative and work independently across regional locations
• Strong organisational and time management skills to coordinate activities across multiple sites
• Sound technical knowledge of:
• Primary production systems and processes
• Food safety and quality standards relevant to fresh produce
• Biosecurity requirements and protocols
• Sampling and testing methodologies
• Regulatory requirements affecting primary products
• Hygiene and sanitation standards
• Ability to interpret technical specifications and regulatory requirements
• Ability to standardise procedures and practices across multiple locations
• Knowledge of different Visa working rights and the VEVO process (desirable)
• Flexibility to adapt to varying site requirements whilst maintaining consistent standards.