Quality Assurance Specialist

JOIN OUR TEAM! We're On a Mission to Bring Sunshine for All®

Dole is one of the world's largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruits, with a growing line of quality packaged and frozen foods. Dole's dedication to quality is a commitment solidly backed by: comprehensive programs for food safety, scientific crop protection programs, stringent quality control measures, state-of-the-art production and transportation technologies, continuous improvement through research and innovation, and dedication to the safety of their employees, communities and the environment.

Job Purpose

The QA Superintendent is responsible for leading the Quality Assurance function and ensuring that all products consistently meet food safety, quality, regulatory, customer, and certification requirements. The role provides overall governance of the Quality Management System (QMS), drives compliance with GMP, HACCP, ISO standards, and applicable regulations, and serves as the primary quality representative during customer, third-party, and regulatory audits. The QA Superintendent provides technical leadership to cross-functional teams, oversees product disposition decisions, drives continuous improvement initiatives, and promotes a strong culture of quality and food safety throughout the organization.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Quality Management Systems (QMS)

• Lead the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, ISO standards, food safety requirements, and customer specifications.
• Establish and monitor quality policies, procedures, standards, and work instructions.
• Drive standardization and harmonization of quality processes across operations.

Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure products comply with all regulatory, food safety, and customer requirements.
• Maintain readiness for regulatory inspections and certification audits.
• Oversee compliance with sustainability and certification programs such as Non-GMO, Organic, Halal, Kosher, Upcycled, and other applicable standards.
• Evaluate regulatory changes and implement necessary compliance actions.

Quality Assurance Operations

• Provide overall leadership for QA operations, laboratory activities, and quality monitoring programs.
• Review quality performance and ensure effective monitoring of raw materials, packaging materials, in-process products, and finished goods.
• Lead investigations involving product quality deviations, non-conformances, and customer complaints.
• Ensure timely implementation and verification of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

Audit and Certification Management

• Lead internal, supplier, customer, and third-party audits.
• Coordinate audit preparation and ensure timely closure of findings.
• Serve as the primary quality representative during customer visits, regulatory inspections, and certification audits.
• Monitor audit performance metrics and drive continuous improvement actions.

Product Quality and Release

• Ensure product disposition decisions are based on compliance with specifications and regulatory requirements.
• Review quality data and inspection results to support batch release decisions.
• Assess product risks and determine appropriate corrective actions when quality issues arise.
• Support product hold, release, recall, and traceability activities when required.

Continuous Improvement

• Analyze quality trends, consumer complaints, deviations, and audit findings.
• Lead root cause analysis and continuous improvement projects.
• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Maintenance to improve product quality and process capability.
• Drive initiatives that reduce quality losses and improve compliance performance.

Leadership and People Management

• Lead, coach, and develop QA personnel.
• Establish performance objectives and monitor team effectiveness.
• Conduct training and competency development programs related to food safety, quality systems, and regulatory compliance.
• Promote a proactive culture of food safety, quality ownership, and continuous improvement.

Stakeholder and Customer Management

• Provide technical support and guidance to internal teams regarding quality matters.
• Interface with customers, suppliers, auditors, certification bodies, and regulatory agencies.
• Communicate quality risks, compliance status, and improvement opportunities to management.
• Represent the company on quality-related matters with external stakeholders

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Technology, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related science discipline.
• Professional certifications in HACCP, GMP, Food Safety, ISO 9001, FSSC 22000, or related quality management systems are an advantage.
• Minimum 5 to 7 years of experience in Quality Assurance, Food Safety, or related functions within a food manufacturing or processing environment.
• At least 2 years of leadership or supervisory experience. Experience in implementing and managing Quality Management Systems (QMS), GMP, HACCP, and regulatory compliance programs.
• Experience in conducting internal audits, managing customer or regulatory inspections, and handling corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Experience in laboratory operations, product testing, quality investigations, and root cause analysis is preferred.
• Knowledge with Quality Management Systems (QMS), GMP, HACCP, and Food Safety Standards, regulatory and customer compliance requirements, quality assurance processes, auditing, and CAPA, and food manufacturing and quality control principles.
• Leadership and team development. Problem-solving and root cause analysis. Audit and compliance management. Planning, organizing, and prioritizing work. Effective communication and stakeholder management Data analysis and quality reporting Cross-functional collaboration and project coordination Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Willing to relocate to and be based in Polomolok, South Cotabato, and work on a full-time onsite arrangement.