Regional Auditor - Quality Assurance

We believe that work is not just an office you report to every morning. It is rather the right place for discoveries as well as innovations and a venue for development of professional skills. Employees in Panda always work to reach new heights in performance through enthusiasm, punctuality and adaptability. If you believe you can be the one with this skillset, join us today to start your first step towards a quite successful career path.


Job Purpose


Responsible for the implementation of food safety and quality compliance in the region (Retail Stores, Central Bakery & Fresh Vendors facilities) by conducting quality assurance Audits to comply with regulatory authorities’ instructions & company internal standards.


Job Responsibilities


• Contribute in developing food safety and quality training materials and conduct training sessions for all fresh food employees to improve their knowledge and performance standards.
• Prepare the monthly audit plan and conduct the audits accordingly (Store Audits based on Risk Based Audits, Flash visits, Central Bakery Audits, Night visits, Temperature surveys, Cleanliness survey, Personal Hygiene survey, Freshness survey, etc) to ensure delivering safe and high quality food to our customers in addition to compliance with Company & Local Regulatory Standards.
• Conduct Stores Improvement Plan (SIP) by highlighting the reasons of low performance, set meetings with store managers and DMs/RMs, agree action plans with the stores, follow up the implementation of the action plan to ensure certain success of the stores (above 86%).
• Implement Vendor improvement programs with 3rd party suppliers by conducting food safety audits to verify the supplier compliance with the standard requirements to protect customers from potential food safety hazards.
• Maintain effective documentation processes by:
A. Contribute in creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) related to daily store operations (Receiving, Storage, Personal Hygiene, etc) to comply with regulatory and company needs.
B. Collect necessary data and prepare initial reports (monthly, quarterly and annual) regarding quality assurance related matters to be shared & discussed with regional quality assurance manager for presentation to Ops Regional Heads, DM’s & GM/SM’s.
C. Document & Analyze all food safety & maintenance auditing reports then submit it to the quality assurance Managers for review, suggestions and approvals to be communicated with the concerned departments.
• Follow up and communicate the issues related to the concerned service providers (Pest Control Company & Cleaning Solutions Company) to be rectified as per agreed services.
• Investigate food safety complaints, food alerts and food recalls; analyze the collected data, submit it to the Quality Assurance Manager for further action to close the issue with proper corrective actions.
• Implement micro-testing plan by preparing the samples, coordinate with the external laboratory to collect the samples, receive & analyze the results to communicate with the Regional Quality Assurance Manager for further action.
• Follow up & Reporting all Maintenance issues related to Food Safety to Regional Maintenance Manager.
• Manage the complains from the stores and communicate with food safety related service providers (Pest Control Company & Cleaning Solutions Company) to ensure high level of sanitation in facilities and effective integrated pest control management program.
• Conduct QA audit to verify the DC compliance with the standard requirements to protect customers from potential food safety hazards, hygiene standards, pest control protection.
• Follow up the implementation of the SFDA regulatory instructions (Calories, Nutritional information & Labeling) at store level during the audits in the different departments in Fresh.
• Responsible to conduct trials in stores for new / alternative Packaging materials for Bakery, Deli ,Butchery, Produce , Non Food items (Shopping bags, Produce bags) and provide input to develop specifications for each item.

Education

Bachelor in Food Technology, Veterinary medicine, Microbiology or Biotechnology.

Experience, Skills & Competencies

• Minimum of 3 years of experience.
• Knowledge of local and international food safety standards (HACCP, ISO, AIB, BRC) and Saudi regulatory authorities’ standard requirements.
• Process Improvement, Analyzing Information, delivering change & problem solving.
• Excellent Communication with influence & persuasive skills.
• Have diplomatic, tactful and resilient qualities.
• Good command in English language and familiar with Microsoft applications.
• Ability to work effectively with different levels & multi cultures.
• Ability to identify and set priorities, plan and effectively allocate appropriate resources.
• Ability to work well under pressure or opposition, maintaining effectiveness and self-control in the midst of any one or combination of stressors including emotional strain, ambiguity, risk to self and fatigue.
• Sensitive to the company & customers’ needs and perceptions by providing prompt, efficient and equitable service, involving other departments in the resolution of problems that affect them.
• Have experience in different fields of food safety & hygiene (Manufacturing, Retail or Hospitality).
• Have knowledge and experience in food safety systems, quality management systems, auditing and inspection techniques.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and standards.