Lead Analyst, Quality Assurance

About the role

This high‑impact quality leadership role safeguards 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. It offers the opportunity to shape quality culture, improve processes, and directly impact product quality from receiving through blending.

Location: New Orleans

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.

Minimum requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, Quality or Technical concentration preferred.
• Three years of quality, technical, or analytical experience.
• Qualified green coffee cupper required.

Additional skills

• Personal responsibility and 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: effective interfacing with multiple internal functions and external suppliers.
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong computer skills – Microsoft Office.
• Demonstration of a “flow to the work” mentality to meet changing business needs.
• 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 collaborative discussion while referencing specifications.
• Demonstrated results in driving continuous improvement in cost, quality, and business responsiveness.
• Statistical or data analysis skills beyond simple reporting.