About this role
About Fresh Texas
As the largest fresh-cut fruit and vegetable processor in South Texas, Fresh Texas has been delivering high-quality products to our customers for more than 40 years. We source only the finest ingredients to provide great-tasting, healthy products. Through continuous innovation and a commitment to excellence, we continue to grow.
Fresh Texas is proud to offer high quality and healthy foods to our communities. Do you want to grow with a trusted and established company? We offer great career paths. Come grow with us!
Job Overview
The QA Team Leader serves as the primary point of contact for Quality Assurance operations during assigned shifts and acts as a liaison between Quality Assurance, Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, and QA Management. This position provides technical leadership, coordinates daily QA activities, assists with ensuring compliance with food safety and quality programs, and assists the QA supervisor with department initiatives and operational support. Reports to the Quality Assurance Supervisor and works closely with the Quality Assurance Manager.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities Beyond Level II Include:
- Leadership and Department Support
- Serve as the first point of contact for Quality Assurance personnel during assigned shifts.
- Coordinate daily assignments, priorities, and workload distribution for QA Technicians.
- Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and technical support to QA technician I and QA Technician II team members.
- Communicate quality, food safety, and operational concerns to QA Management in a timely manner.
- Act as department liaison between QA, Production, Maintenance, Sanitation, and Warehouse teams during assigned shifts.
- Assist the QA Supervisor with daily operations, staffing needs, scheduling, and departmental priorities.
- Serve as the acting QA leader when the QA Supervisor is unavailable.
Product Holds, Releases & Dispositions
- Lead product hold, release, and disposition activities in accordance with established procedures.
- Will often coordinate disposition decisions with QA Management.
- Review hold documentation and ensures proper inventory control of segregated products.
- Maintain accurate hold logs and supporting documentation.
Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP)
- Perform weekly EMP sampling activities according to established procedures.
- Collect, review, and trend environmental monitoring data.
- Prepare and submit environmental samples to approved laboratory.
- Ensure compliance with EMP requirements, food safety standards, and customer expectations.
- Assist with investigations, corrective actions, and follow-up activities related to environmental findings.
- Support verification and validation activities as required.
Laboratory & Sample Management
- Schedule laboratory couriers and coordinate sample shipments/pick-ups.
- Ensure proper chain-of-custody documentation is completed and maintained.
- Prepare samples for testing.
- Monitor laboratory results and communicate concerns to management.
- Maintain sample retention and testing documentation.
Continuous Improvement
- Participate in product validations, shelf-life studies, and R&D initiatives.
- Assist with testing and implementation of new ingredients, packaging materials, processes, and equipment.
- Assist in identifying trends and improvement opportunities.
- Support all continuous improvement initiatives.
Food Safety & Quality Systems
- Conduct internal GMP, HACCP, sanitation, food safety, and quality audits.
- Verify CCP monitoring, preventative controls, and food safety documentation.
- Assist with the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of HACCP, GMP, SQF, and food safety programs.
- Support customer, regulatory, and third-party certification audits.
- Participate in root cause investigations and CAPA activities.
Training Responsibilities
- Assist with onboarding and training new QA employees.
- Support GMP, food safety, quality, and compliance-related training initiatives.
- Verify employees understanding and application of quality and food safety requirements.
- Serve as a technical resource and subject matter expert for operational personnel.
Benefits
- Complete insurance package that includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance.
- Several low-cost supplemental plans.
- 401(k) with up to a 4% employer match.
- Paid holidays and generous paid time off.
- A variety of bonus opportunities including attendance and referral programs.
- Numerous employee appreciation events throughout the year.
Qualifications
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Associate degree in Food Science, Biology, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, or related field preferred.
- Education may be substituted for equivalent years of service in Food Manufacturing.
- Minimum 3-5 years of Quality Assurance experience in a food manufacturing environment.
- Previous experience as a lead, trainer, coordinator, senior technician, or similar leadership role preferred.
- HACCP certification required or must be obtained within the designated training period.
- Strong communication, organizational, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability and willingness to work on a flexible schedule to support production and food safety requirements.
- Ability to support customer audits, investigations, and food safety events outside normal business hours when required.
- Ability to adjust priorities quickly and effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
EEO Statement
Fresh Texas is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce and are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability status, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service or protected veteran, or other non-merit factor.