Lead Analyst, Quality Assurance

Your Opportunity as the Lead Analyst Quality Assurance 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.   In this role you will:      ·          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. ·              What we are looking for:      Minimum Requirements:   ·          Bachelor’s Degree, Quality or Technical concentration preferred ·          3 years of quality, technical or analytical experience ·          Qualified green coffee cupper required   Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:    ·          Personal Responsibility and Provides Timely Feedback to Others when