QA Food Technologist

El Segundo, CA Hybrid Schedule

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Thai Union Group Public Company Limited is the world’s trusted seafood leader, leveraging its expertise, bringing high quality, safe, delicious and seafood products to customers across the world for over 40 years. We are the world’s largest producer of shelf-stable tuna products, with a global workforce of over 44,000 people who are dedicated to pioneering sustainable and innovative seafood products.

Our commitment to enable “Healthy Living and Healthy Oceans” is realized through initiatives that cover a wide spectrum, from building sustainable ecosystems based on new technologies, through to investments in a number of global startups focusing on functional nutrition. Our SeaChange® sustainability strategy is a key pillar of our sustainability efforts, resulting in our inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index Emerging Markets (DJSI) for seven straight years and the FTSE4Good Emerging Index for five straight years. In addition, we have been named as one of the world’s highest performing sustainable companies, receiving a Gold Class distinction in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2021. These recognitions highlight that sustainability is not just integrated across all of our business practices, but has become the way our company does business.

We are dedicated to producing sustainable, convenient, and quality seafood products to help families worldwide lead healthier lives. In addition, we put a high priority on food-tech innovation, which can be seen through our expansion into areas such as alternative protein (including plant-based meats), supplements, and marine ingredients.

OVERVIEW OF ROLE

Based at the Chicken of the Sea International Headquarters (COSI HQ; El Segundo, CA) the Food Technologist reports to the Corp. QA Manager with dotted line to Manager of Food Safety (El Segundo, CA).

• Contribute to the profitable growth of Thai Union North America (Chicken of the Sea), by actively contributing to the development and implementation of strong end-to-end Quality Systems within COSI Corporate Quality Assurance Department.   
• Be an effective member of the COS Corp. Quality Assurance Dept., actively contributing to ensure compliance with product safety, legality, authenticity, and quality requirements for products packed at the COSGC facility in Lyons, GA or by foreign suppliers co-packing finished goods for the Corporation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees laboratory activities of 1 FTE at level of QA Laboratory Technician.
• Provides support for in continuous improvement of product quality (Quality Improvement Projects) by organizing product cuttings, summarizing product evaluation results, and communicating observations regarding product quality and compliance to specifications. 
• Works closely with QA Lab. Technician, in supervisory role, for qualitative, quantitative, analytical, and container examinations on samples of COSI products (product audits – domestic & imports), and R&D samples. Develop and provide reports of product evaluations to QA management, including charts to summarize data and PowerPoint presentations of evaluation pictures. 
• Active member of COS Consumer Affairs Program, including the interactions with 3^rd party Consumer Affairs Services provider, Zendesk platform maintenance, producing monthly reports for COSGC, and the processing of Consumer Complaints with investigations and appropriate responses to consumers.
• Participate in special projects as requested by management (e.g., sensory evaluation of new products development or adjustment of formulations).
• Oversees organization of product samples for management can cuttings & summarize results.

• Serve as second approver for packaging and label artwork review process within QA Dept.
• Lead sample submissions to third party laboratories, including nutrition analysis, quarterly food safety and quality verification, new product development and reformulations. Support data analysis, as required.
• Oversee evaluation of product packaging according to LACF requirements, such as double seam teardown evaluations, ensure all data is accurately recorded and all measurements are within specification. Manage 1 FTE temp. lab technician position providing support to this activity. 
• Manage all aspects of the QA Laboratory, including incoming samples, lab equipment, evaluation records and shipping. Manage 1 FTE temp. lab technician position providing support to this activity. 
• Support training of COSI personnel in all fundamental aspects of product evaluation procedures, specifically product organoleptic, grading, drain weight and press weight evaluations (once trained). Manage 1 FTE temp. lab technician position providing support to this activity. 
• Plan and schedule cuttings for in-house shelf-life studies of new or existing COSI products, as required, record evaluation results and assemble shelf-life progression reports.   
• Enforce and help maintain a clean and organized laboratory and workspace. 

KPIs

Quantitative:

• Laboratory activities are met within allotted timelines, and reports issued in a timely manner.
• Consumer Affairs KPIs are met. 
• Product evaluation reports are provided to Quality Assurance management within 5 to 7 business days from completion, or as requested by upper management. 
• Timely support to special projects.
• Accurate and timely review of packaging and label artwork being sensitive to potential for business disruption.

Qualitative:

• Training modules developed and maintained for QA product evaluations and lab procedures. 
• Samples are logged, organized and available for product cuttings and product evaluations. 
• Samples for third party laboratory analysis are prepared and shipped within project timelines. 
•  QA lab. Is well maintained, clean and organized.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, communicate, usually through talking, hearing, writing and typing. Employee should be able to operate standard office equipment, i.e., telephones, computers, facsimile and copier. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk, and move or lift to 35 lbs. The employee regularly works in a well-lighted, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office setting with a moderate degree of noise.

The employee is required to comply with all company policies, rules and directives, including safe work practices.

VALUES

• Collaborative – works well with diverse workforce; communicates professionally with associates and leaders
• Responsible – punctual, proactively communicates status of issues and projects
• Humble – eager to learn new skills, asks for assistance when needed
• Passionate – has a support-mindset; committed to be the best
• Respectful – exhibits behaviors of caring, compassion, honesty, integrity, and fairness
• Innovative — constantly looks for ways to be more efficient and productive; Committed to continuous improvement

A career at Thai Union is a unique experience to grow as a professional and as a person. You will join a global fast-growing, innovative, and entrepreneurial organization deeply committed to its people, its community, and the environment.

Every single one of our employees matter. We are always listening and giving our talent opportunities to grow, develop, and implement new ideas to make a difference. Our focus on corporate social responsibility and sustainability in a creative and dynamic environment, combined with great opportunities to lead progress, is a guarantee you will quickly develop your professional skills within a diverse & inclusive human-centered organization.

Thai Union is committed to providing equality of opportunity. If you require any reasonable adjustments to help support your application, please let us know.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females,Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.