Now Hiring: Product Safety & Quality Analyst

Position Title: Product Safety & Quality Analyst

Reports to: Director of FSQA

Start Date: TBD

Location: Austin, TX 

Position Scope:

Force of Nature (FON) is a category disrupting brand that has quickly become the fastest growing brand in meat. Founded to accelerate the creation of a global regenerative supply network; we are revolutionizing the industry to not just improve but to create positive returns for land, for animal welfare, for communities and for consumers. As the Product Safety & Quality Analyst, you will play a pivotal role in commercialization activities by providing technical guidance to help ensure products will meet FON quality and regulatory standards. Responsible for developing and maintaining product / food safety and product quality technical specifications for new and existing products. Supports and improves new product program by collaborating with Quality Assurance and supplier partners to help drive regulatory and quality standards compliance and product consistency. Also provides regulatory guidance and recommendations for product and process development. Works with Product Research & Development, external labs, and other Quality teams to perform regular product quality reviews, end-of-shelf-life reviews, and on-shelf label audits to ensure label accuracy and compliance with FON standards and regulatory requirements. Also supports incorporating consumer feedback into our improvement and monitoring quality incident investigations, CAPA (corrective and preventative actions), and increased supplier monitoring. Works closely with Operations and Quality Assurance to deliver a consistent consumer product experience. This position requires a seasoned professional with extensive knowledge in meat production, meat science, and meat processing. The ideal candidate will oversee all aspects of quality and regulatory standards, managing day-to-day operations to maintain and enhance our industry-leading standards.

Major Responsibilities:

*Note that responsibilities may be added or adjusted over time.

• Leads investigation and collaborates with supplier partners, FSQA, and Operations procurement to develop Product Safety & Quality technical specifications for high-risk new products categories; helps maintain technical specifications for current products.
• Reviews applicable product claims and determines criteria for claim validation.
• Designs appropriate testing programs to validate claims and oversee program implementation.
• Ensures specifications meets or exceed regulatory requirements.
• Leads projects to develop internal guidance documents / processes to ensure consistency and that product testing meets state, federal, and international regulatory requirements.
• Partners with FSQA, Product Development, and Product Marketing as needed to determine product acceptability and CAPA plans for out-of-specification test results.
• Conducts gap analysis for projects and provides recommendations for alternative solutions / approaches.
• Prioritizes overall projects for team according to Product Marketing timelines and project objectives to help ensure timely release of projects to Package Design & Innovation team.
• Identifies areas for business process improvement and seeks out stakeholders to make improvements in process.
• Consults with cross functional team members and 3PLs on inventory management requirements.
• Acts as the regulatory nutrition labeling specialist and leads the nutritional recommendations and guidance to team during product development process.
• Leverages internal and external experts to lead projects helping define quality / safety standards and appropriate measuring and sampling techniques.
• Collaborates on incident investigations and aligns documentation and reporting with existing incident management and supplier category / business reviews; may collaborate with FSQA on CAPAs.
• Tracks and trends product quality deviations and product / vendor non-conformance using spreadsheets, Product Life- cycle Management, and/or Quality Information Management systems.
• Leads in development and execution of ongoing testing programs (including chemical, physical, microbiological, and nutritional testing).
• Collaborates with Product Development, FSQA, and supplier leadership, as appropriate, to develop, implement, and execute product safety and quality standards training and education.
• Monitors industry and regulatory Product Safety and Quality trends and regulatory changes.
• Analyze and troubleshoot product and processing issues in a timely manner.
• Collaborates with FSQA Manager on interpretation of data trends, product improvement activities, and test results for product quality evaluations.
• Co-leads product quality evaluations and end-of-shelf-life sessions with the Manager of Innovation and Quality.
• Contributes to the Product Quality scorecard for suppliers and products.
• Maintains and communicates product quality and non-conformance deviation reports as instructed by leadership.
• Coordinates maintenance testing programs per existing protocols and schedules (including chemical, physical, microbiological, and nutritional testing).
• Manages and analyzes incoming test results from third-party laboratories.
• Build depth and breadth of scientific knowledge. Demonstrate ability to apply knowledge quickly to solve a variety of technical problems.
• Work closely with the Innovation team on any new projects or “renovation” to identify best practices, efficiency and cost savings opportunities.
• Manage various projects as it relates to Nutrition, Food Safety and Quality matters.

Professional Knowledge, Education & Experience:

• Demonstrates comprehensive meat & poultry product knowledge, development and commercialization concepts and methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to excel in a hands-on, fast paced entrepreneurial/start up environment.
• In-depth knowledge of:
  • Product/Food Safety for high risk products and processing environments,
  • Testing mythologies for claims validation, Quality Assurance and control processes and workflows,
  • Meat & poultry product specific regulatory and quality knowledge (Dietary supplement ingredients and regulations preferred.),
  • Food labeling and FDA / USDA regulations and HACCP / FSMA principles.
  • Meat & Poultry facility engineering/technologies/process design.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Retail product life-cycle management,
  • Program leadership skills,
  • Cross-functional team leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to excel in a hands-on, fast paced entrepreneurial/start up environment.
• Demonstrated self starter with an active passion for positive change including processes, skills & technology.
• Demonstrated desire to constantly expand and improve on skills and knowledge base.
• Registered Dietitian or BA/BS degree and 4-6 years’ relevant experience OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Interpersonal & Communication Skills:

• Conveys and/or consults on issues of moderate to significant complexity.
• Highly effective communicator.
• Communicates structured information, project, or investigation information in a clear, concise, and organized fashion.
• Regularly interacts with colleagues or customers up to the technical leadership level.
• Collaborates with others to achieve objectives and ensure information flow.
• Effectively presents information and responds to questions in both one-on-one situations and group meetings.
• Operates with the highest level of integrity and is widely trusted.

Teamwork & Collaboration:

• Participates in and provides the senior-level support to the team and cross-functional projects.
• Impacts the overall team effectiveness.
• May provide informal support to the less experienced Team Members.
• Networks with key contacts outside own area of expertise.
• Builds relationships with senior level stakeholders and leaders.
• Is dedicated to exceeding the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers.

Project Management:

• Advanced understanding of the standard project management methodologies and requirements.
• Advanced ability to plan, estimate, organize, and monitor projects.
• Ability to oversee and advise on project management issues and assist with overcoming the barriers.
• Ability to keep multiple projects on track financially, creatively, and in accordance with the stakeholder’s deadlines.

Organization & Business Knowledge:

• Understands the trends and emerging challenges of the customer, market, and industry.
• Applies business and project understanding to focus the project / team’s efforts.
• Demonstrates excellent knowledge of the FON product mix, supply base, and retail operations.
• Ability to maintain entrepreneurial/scrappy mindset in order to efficiently achieve business goals.
• Is enthusiastic about the company and has unquestioned credibility with the entire team.
• Adheres to the FON values and beliefs in every interaction with employees, partners and customers during both good and tough times.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:

• Must be able to read and interpret recipes, numbers on scales, perform basic math and judge color, consistency, placement of materials for quality control.
• Travel including overnight trips may be required.
• Tasks in operating manufacturing facilities, and product inspection in warehouse operations, all under adverse conditions (hot, cold, wet, elevated situations, etc.).
• Must be able to occasionally lift and carry up to 60 lbs.
• Ability to physically perform general office requirements.
• Passion for an active health & wellness lifestyle

Proficiencies:

• Expert understanding of Google and Microsoft Office applications (Gmail, Drive and Docs, Excel, Word).
• Experience working with Process Planning, Project Management. ERP and/or QA related software.
• Advanced proficiency skills with web-based specification systems.

Please email cover letter and resume to: info@forceofnaturemeats.com