Lead Analyst, Quality Assurance at J.M. Smucker in New Orleans, LA

Job description

• This is a high-impact quality leadership role responsible for safeguarding the food safety, quality, and integrity of green coffee across multiple warehouse locations supporting the New Orleans operation. The role serves as a critical link between J.M. Smucker, external partners, and regulatory requirements, driving compliance with industry-leading quality standards while influencing operational excellence.
• What makes this role unique is its broad scope and visibility. The individual will lead quality initiatives across third-party warehouses, partner closely with internal and external stakeholders, influence key quality decisions, and serve as a trusted backup to the Site Quality Manager. This position offers the opportunity to shape quality culture, improve processes, and directly impact product quality from receiving through blending.
• Location: New Orleans Silo
• Work Arrangements: Monday–Friday with flexibility to support operations during occasional evenings, nights, or weekends, based on operational and business needs.

Responsibilities

• · Accountable for quality assurance systems, results, and operational excellence while ensuring compliance with BRCGS, Quality Key Elements, and regulatory requirements.
• · Develop, implement, and evaluate QA standards, laboratory procedures, and work processes to drive efficiency and compliance.
• · Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality systems supporting green coffee receiving, storage, and delivery operations across all facilities.
• · Manage decaffeinated coffee quality and food safety monitoring programs, including warehouse inspections and compliance activities.
• · Oversee purchasing of quality assurance materials and supplies for J.M. Smucker and third-party operations.
• · Perform and support all quality assurance laboratory functions, including analytical testing, quality evaluations, data analysis, and reporting within Oracle and IMS systems.
• · Qualify and maintain green coffee cupper certification through a rigorous training and calibration program; conduct sensory evaluations of green coffee components and blends.
• · Maintain regulatory certifications, accreditations, and qualified auditor status to support compliance requirements.
• · Conduct warehouse GMP audits and recommend corrective and preventive actions to improve food safety and quality performance.
• · Lead or participate in root cause analysis investigations, corrective action implementation, and continuous improvement efforts.
• · Manage product hold, release, disposition, withdrawal, and recall processes to ensure compliance and product integrity.
• · Coordinate preventive maintenance, calibration, and performance verification of laboratory equipment.
• · Serve as an active contributor to Quality Pillar and Engineering & Technology (E&T) Pillar initiatives.
• · Partner with third-party service providers, Corporate Green Coffee Planning, and Quality Assurance teams to build effective relationships and achieve key business objectives.
• · Support food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance programs while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
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Requirements

• · Bachelor’s Degree, Quality or Technical concentration preferred
• · 2.5 years of quality, technical or analytical experience
• · Qualified green coffee cupper required
• · Personal Responsibility and Provides Timely Feedback to Others when Necessary.
• · Demonstrated capability in analyzing data/situations, problem solving and attention to detail
• · Strong organization and time management skills
• · Collaborative approach: This role must effectively interface with multiple internal functions as well as external suppliers
• · Communication: Strong oral, written and interpersonal skills are required
• · Strong computer skills – Microsoft Office
• · Demonstration of a “flow to the work” mentality to meet the changing business needs
• · Demonstrated the ability to meet commitments on time under a moderate level of pressure.
• · Strong attention to detail under time pressure
• · Ability to discern different flavor notes common to coffee and facilitate discussion about flavor in a collaborative way while referencing specifications
• · Demonstrated results in driving continuous improvement in cost, quality, and business responsiveness
• · Statistical or data analysis skills beyond simple reporting

Skills

Required

• Quality assurance
• Technical or analytical experience
• Green coffee cupping certification
• Data analysis
• Problem solving
• Attention to detail
• Organization and time management
• Collaboration
• Microsoft Office
• Statistical analysis

Preferred

• Flow to the work mentality
• Flavor discernment in coffee
• Continuous improvement mindset