Quality Assurance Facilitator Full Time NEW

Position: Quality Assurance Facilitator

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $80,000 to $100,000 plus superannuation per annum

Location: Dimbulah QLD 4872

Our client Lazy T Limes is a commercial citrus farming and packing enterprise producing limes for supply to domestic and international markets. Due to the nature of fresh produce operations, the business must maintain rigorous quality assurance, food safety, traceability, workplace health and safety, and compliance systems to satisfy customer requirements, protect market access and ensure compliance with relevant industry and regulatory standards.

The Quality Assurance Facilitator is responsible for coordinating and maintaining the organisation’s integrated quality assurance and compliance framework across all farming, harvesting, packing and distribution operations. The position develops, implements and reviews quality management systems, policies and procedures to ensure compliance with customer specifications, food safety, traceability, workplace health and safety, accreditation and relevant legislative requirements.

The role coordinates quality inspections, internal and external audits, operational compliance activities and quality management systems, including Freshcare, HARPS and SEDEX accreditation requirements. The position investigates quality issues, workplace incidents, customer complaints and non-conformances, implements corrective and preventative actions, analyses quality performance data and supports continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality, operational performance and regulatory compliance.

Working closely with management and operational staff, the Quality Assurance Facilitator provides guidance and training, maintains quality and compliance documentation, liaises with customers, suppliers, certification bodies and regulatory authorities, and promotes a culture of quality, food safety, workplace safety and continuous improvement throughout the business.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement and review quality assurance policies, procedures and operational standards across farm and packing operations.
• Coordinate and conduct quality inspections of produce, packaging, storage and handling processes to ensure compliance with quality standards, customer specifications and food safety requirements.
• Maintain quality records, audit reports, corrective action registers and compliance documentation.
• Coordinate internal quality audits, customer audits and regulatory inspections.
• Lead investigations into quality issues, workplace incidents, customer complaints and non-conformances, undertake root cause analysis, and coordinate corrective and preventative actions to support continuous improvement.
• Monitor compliance with food safety, traceability and quality management systems.
• Provide training and guidance to employees on quality assurance systems, food safety, traceability, workplace health and safety and compliance procedures to promote consistent operational standards.
• Analyse quality performance data and prepare reports and recommendations for management.
• Review product quality outcomes and grading results to identify trends and opportunities for improvement throughout harvesting and packing operations.
• Liaise with customers, suppliers, certification bodies, industry stakeholders and regulatory authorities regarding quality assurance, accreditation, compliance and audit requirements, and prepare management reports on quality and compliance performance.
• Identify and support the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality, compliance outcomes and operational performance.
• Ensure compliance with workplace health and safety requirements as part of the organisation’s integrated quality, food safety and compliance management framework.
• Support the maintenance of product traceability systems and quality documentation to satisfy customer, industry and regulatory requirements.
• Develop, implement, maintain and continually improve the organisation’s integrated Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance with Freshcare, HARPS, SEDEX, customer specifications, food safety standards and applicable legislative requirements.
• Coordinate workplace inspections, internal quality audits, operational risk assessments and compliance reviews across farm and packing operations, monitor corrective and preventative actions, and verify their effective implementation.

Requirements:

• AQF Bachelor degree or higher qualification in Quality Management, Food Science, Agriculture, Horticulture, Business Management, Supply Chain Management or a related discipline; OR
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience may substitute for formal qualifications.
• Minimum of at least two (2) years of relevant experience in quality assurance, quality systems, food safety, compliance or a related operational quality role.
• Demonstrated knowledge of quality management systems, food safety and traceability programs, audit processes and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Experience maintaining quality records, corrective action systems and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Proficient computer and document management skills.
• Experience within fresh produce, horticulture, agriculture, food manufacturing or packing operations will be highly regarded.
• Demonstrated knowledge of workplace health and safety legislation, risk management principles and integrated compliance management systems within agricultural or food production environments will be highly regarded.