Quality Assurance Supervisor

Flying Embers was founded in Ojai, California by a team of entrepreneurs, winemakers, musicians and surfers driven to create the best tasting, highest quality and most innovative organic alcohol drinks in the world. Flying Embers got its name when they banded together during the Thomas Fires to protect everything they had been working to build. The experience gave them the name and their drive towards a purpose beyond the brews. They established the Embers Foundation to support firefighters and first responders with 1% of all sales going directly towards Rewild, Respond and Recover efforts. We take intense pride in pushing the limits of innovation in our brewing and in building our biz. Today, Flying Embers is a national brand with strong local roots in Ventura, California.

Our team is currently looking for a skilled and motivated Quality Assurance Supervisor. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking for a role within a fast-paced environment. The position will be based out of our Ventura, CA headquarters.

Who We Are:

Flying Embers is an innovative fermented beverage company. We specialize in USDA Organic hard kombucha, canned cocktails, and hard seltzers. Our beverages are a better-for-you option, built for the modern drinker. The brand was launched during the 2017 Thomas Fires. This inspired our name and our values. Today, Flying Embers donates a portion of all sales to firefighters, first responders, and the communities that they serve through their nonprofit organization, the Embers Foundation.

Position Description:

Under general and direct administrative direction, this position is responsible, supervising the QA Team and its employees, who engage in the daily sampling of products and data recording and results reporting; PQC monitoring of packaging lines and incoming and outgoing products, the daily monitoring and management of brewing and fermentation to ensure all products meet strict quality specifications; SOP and job-aid creation & implementation, and metric analysis & reporting. This role will at-times involve hands-on lab work throughout the brewery complex. The incumbent is responsible for real time QA communication for contract beer production and leads and supports continuous development of laboratory methods and procedures.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Supervisors all activities related to the daily operations for our Quality Assurance Team, in concert with all Plant Operations Organization activities.
• Conducts weekly meetings and daily dialog with the Plant Director, Head Brewer, Maintenance and Packaging Staff to ensure that plant operations are within company quality specifications. Will engage directly with the Vice President of Operations.
• Develops and implements the QA Team staffing schedule. Responsible to control labor costs, including over time usage.
• Audits the work of QA Team staff to ensure a clear understanding of the expectations of the company and to verify compliance of work with company standards.
• Ensures all PQC parameters are closely monitored, documented, and records are available to show policy and process compliance with established GMP and SQF program requirements.
• Will at times work closely with Food Safety to ensure all sanitation activities performed are aligned with the company Environmental Monitoring program requirements and that sampling and inspections of activities provide favorable outcomes.
• Creates SOPs and job aids with data recording systems for all QA and PQC activities. All activities will be documented and readily available during audits.
• Working understanding of GMP and GLP, as it pertains to the manufacturing environment, and works to improve people, process, and tools to ensure compliance with SQF policy.
• Supports sanitation related activates as a SME, from simple to advanced industrial sanitation techniques, CIP/SIP, and COP in a brewery setting.
• Fully fluent with sanitation chemicals and food grade lubricants and their employment within a brewery.
• Compiles all data, performs analysis, and provides reporting for daily, weekly and monthly reporting.
• Ensures the team is equipped and effectively staffed for all operations, through planning and budgeting with the Vice President of Operations.
• Leads and supports Continuous Improvement Activities through the PDCA framework.
• Acts as a duty expert and trusted advisor for quality related issues throughout the value chain.
• Develops and maintains personal knowledge regarding industry trends

Minimum Qualifications

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four (4) year College or University in Chemistry, Bio-Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, a Fermentation Sciences; AND

2. Four (4) years total professional post-college experience in a laboratory environment

3. One (1) year of experience as a QA Laboratory Supervisor or Team Lead; AND

4. Three (3) years of experience working in a brewery, winery, or beverage production environment.

5. Experience with a Food Safety Management System is a plus.

Working Conditions

The following requirements are conditions of employment. Applicants must have the ability and willingness to meet these requirements at the time of employment application filing and maintain these requirements throughout employment:

• Ability to commute to the Ventura Headquarters daily
• Adapt to changes in brewing, packaging and production schedules and work various schedules, which may also include swing or night shifts, weekends, holidays, and/or overtime as operations dictate.
• Safely work around and communicate in a hot, cold, wet, damp and loud production environment for extended periods of time
• Safely handle and work around chemicals, gasses and hot liquids
• Work around moving machinery and mechanical devices.
• Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and policies throughout the brewery.
• Work in high places and confined spaces
• Continuously lift to shoulder height and carry up to 55 lbs. with or without assistive devices and push or pull up to 200 lbs.
• While unassisted: bend, sit, kneel and squat, balance, twist and turn, reach over one’s shoulders, walk and stand continuously for extended periods of time over uneven surfaces; walk up and down stairs: ascend and descend ladders.
• Multi-task
• Maintain punctuality and predictable attendance and eagerness to manage time and resources, get the job done safely and correctly, support coworkers and develop professionally.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and wellness coverage
• 401k
• Flexible working environment
• Flexible Spending Account Benefits
• Generous and flexible vacation policy
• Pet Insurance for your furry kids
• Free personal development therapy (EAP)

Perks

• Free Flying Embers beverages
• Company branded swag.
• Brand partnership discounts with other local purpose driven companies
• Happy hours, team building, company-sponsored events and festivals
• Casual/Creative Office Environment

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Required to stand, sit, squat, bend and twist, from time to time.

Equal Opportunity

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.