PORTA is an authentic Italian manufacturer of artisanal, ready-to-cook frozen meals. Our mission is to make premium, restaurant-quality frozen Italian available to all. We produce the best tasting, authentic Italian meals that save you time using only the finest Italian and locally-sourced ingredients, traditional recipes and a very simple cooking process. We want to make every home cook feel like a chef and we do that by making it easier to access, order and cook the best that Italy has to offer right in your home. PORTA currently offers a range of frozen pizzas, pasta kits, raviolis, and desserts. We are available in select retailers across Canada and expanding into the US in the summer of 2024. We also deliver direct to consumers in more than 50 cities in Canada through a meal subscription at http://www.eatporta.com
Buon Appetito!

The Role

Porta is looking for a hands-on and driven QA Technician Lead to join the team and will play a crucial role in maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety during the night operations and ensuring seamless compliance. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Food Safety & Quality Assurance, you will be responsible for championing Porta's FSQA vision to foster a strong food safety culture and ensure that our products meet the highest standards of safety and quality.

In this role, knowledge of GMP and HACCP principles is essential as you will be ensuring that food safety procedures are in place and always adhered to. Core duties include daily GMP checks, quality control activities (record review, production line checks, routine testing), complaint & investigation support, corrective action management support, and data analysis all within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

Requirements

• Document Control Support
• Lead the maintenance, archiving, and updating of controlled documents to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance.
• Oversee the documentation process, ensuring all records are accurate and up to date.
• Program Implementation
• Monitor the implementation of food safety protocols during night shift operations.
• Identify and escalate any issues to FSQA leadership as required, ensuring prompt resolution.
• Training & Program Delivery
• Assist with the development and delivery of training materials for night shift employees.
• Reinforce training and ensure knowledge of protocols on cook/cool procedures, allergen control, pre-ops etc., among team members, providing additional guidance as needed.
• Investigation and Root Cause Analysis
• Lead investigations related to customer complaints and internal non-conformities during the night shift.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Production Line Quality Assurance Support
• Perform process checks throughout the production, packaging, sanitation, and warehouse areas during night operations.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards and address any deviations promptly.
• Quality Assurance Testing Support
• Conduct and coordinate sampling and sample submission for laboratory analysis during the night shift.
• Ensure timely and accurate testing to maintain product quality.
• Audit Support
• Provide support during third-party audits conducted during the night shift.
• Ensure all necessary documentation and processes are in place and compliant.
• Data Analysis & Reporting
• Monitor and summarize data related to food safety and quality assurance activities.
• Prepare and present reports on findings and trends to FS/QA leadership.
• Supervisory Responsibilities
• Provide leadership and supervision to night shift employees, ensuring adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Foster a positive and productive work environment, addressing any employee concerns or issues.
• Other Duties as Assigned
• Perform additional tasks as required to support the FS/QA team and overall company objectives.

About You

• Knowledge of HACCP, GMP and food regulations (Safe Food for Canadians Act, Food and Drugs Act)
• Organized, critical thinker with excellent communication ability
• Strong work ethic with meticulous attention to detail and a “can do” attitude
• Ability to work independently and make decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to work night shifts and provide coverage as needed.
• 3+ years of experience in food safety, quality assurance, or a related role.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance and quality assurance protocols.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate with various cross-functional partners (production, customer service teams)
• Proactive and conscientious – able to identify and anticipate compliance gaps and recommend creative and practical solutions
• Schedule flexibility – able to be on call as needed for emergency situations
• Must thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic company environment
  

Skills

• Post-secondary education or equivalent – food safety and regulatory affairs strongly preferred
• Minimum of 2 years experience working in Food Safety/Quality Assurance in the food manufacturing sector. Experience with high risk frozen foods is an asset
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Previous experience participating in audits (third party, regulatory, customer) is an asset
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience

Benefits

• Premium pay
• Bonus plan
• Benefits
• Free Italian food!

PORTA is committed to providing a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. Our people are our business and we celebrate our differences, encourage a breadth of perspectives, and offer equal opportunity for all employees to join and excel at our company. PORTAgladly provides accommodations to candidates if necessary, so please send us an email if you would like us to do that for you: [email protected].