Quality Assurance (QA) Officer

About the role

This role involves conducting scheduled and unannounced audits of shrimp processing facilities, plastic tray manufacturers, and master carton suppliers in Indonesia. You will verify supplier compliance with Haven Foods Standard Operating Procedures, inspect raw materials and in-process production stages, ensure packaging quality assurance, perform pre-shipment verifications, coordinate product testing, maintain comprehensive QA documentation, support food safety and compliance requirements, and act as the primary on-the-ground point of contact between Haven Foods and Indonesian suppliers on quality matters.

Key responsibilities

Supplier & Facility Audits

• Conduct scheduled and unannounced audits of shrimp processing facilities, plastic tray manufacturers, and master carton suppliers in Indonesia.

• Verify supplier compliance with Haven Foods Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including (Master Carton), (Plastic Trays and Bowls), and (Artwork and Color Matching).

• Document supplier performance against Haven Foods specifications and customer requirements.

• Report findings, non-conformances, and corrective actions to the Haven Foods QA team.

Raw Material & In-Process Inspection

• Inspect incoming raw shrimp at supplier facilities for size, color, freshness, odor, temperature, and physical defects.

• Monitor production stages including sorting, peeling, deveining, cooking, IQF freezing, glazing, and packaging.

• Verify production parameters (temperature, time, glaze percentage) against customer specifications.

• Identify and document any deviation from approved processes or recipes.

Packaging Quality Assurance

• Inspect plastic trays and bowls for wall thickness using a digital caliper at all five required measurement areas (corner, wall, bottom, edge, lid).

• Verify master carton dimensions, top clearance gap, board structure, and sealing condition.

• Inspect printed artwork (labels, stickers, plastic bag prints, master carton prints) for color accuracy against Pantone references.

• Confirm packaging materials are food-grade, suitable for frozen storage, and match approved specifications.

• Verify retain samples are collected and stored correctly at every supplier.

Pre-Shipment Verification

• Perform pre-shipment inspections of finished goods before container loading.

• Verify count, glaze percentage, labeling accuracy, lot codes, and master carton condition.

• Inspect pallet configuration and container loading for stability and damage prevention during transit.

• Authorize or hold shipments based on inspection findings. Escalate hold decisions to Haven Foods QA team for review.

Product Testing & Sampling

• Coordinate microbiological, chemical, and sensory testing of shrimp products with accredited laboratories.

• Collect retain samples from each production lot in accordance with Haven Foods retention requirements.

• Record and analyze test results, identify trends, and report findings to the QA team.

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate QA records including inspection logs, non-conformance reports (NCR), corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and traceability documentation.

• Documentation every inspection, with clear date, location, and SKU identification.

• Submit weekly written reports to the Haven Foods QA team summarizing supplier visits, findings, and outstanding issues.

• Maintain organized digital records accessible to the Haven Foods team in the US.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Support supplier compliance with HACCP, GMP, SSOP, and customer-specific food safety standards (e.g., BRC, SQF).

• Verify supplier facility certifications remain current (BAP, ASC, BRC, MSC, halal, kosher as applicable).

• Assist Haven Foods during US customer audits and third-party audits of supplier facilities.

• Support FDA / FSMA, USDA, and US import compliance requirements.

Communication & Coordination

• Act as the primary on-the-ground point of contact between Haven Foods and Indonesian suppliers on quality matters.

• Communicate clearly with the Haven Foods US team via written reports, documentation, video, and scheduled video calls.

• Build constructive working relationships with supplier QA and production teams.

• Train supplier teams on Haven Foods SOPs and specification requirements where appropriate.

Highly Desirable

1. Personal certification in one or more of: PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual), BRCGS Internal Auditor, SQF Practitioner, ISO 22000 Lead Auditor, or HACCP Lead Auditor.

2. Prior experience working inside a BAP or ASC certified shrimp processing facility, with familiarity in the documentation, traceability, and audit requirements of those programs.

3. Experience with US export quality requirements, including FDA regulations, FSMA, and customer-specific programs (e.g., Kroger, Walmart, Whole Foods supplier programs).

4. Experience auditing packaging suppliers (plastic thermoforming, corrugated cartons, printed labels).

5. Experience with color matching, Pantone references, and printed packaging quality control.

6. Familiarity with cold chain logistics, ocean freight, and container loading inspection.

7. Halal supervisor certification or familiarity with halal compliance requirements (relevant for some Haven Foods products and certain Indonesian facilities).

Personal Attributes

1. Detail-oriented and observant. Notices small inconsistencies that others miss.

2. Honest and disciplined. The role requires reporting findings accurately, including findings that may be uncomfortable for the supplier.

3. Independent and self-directed. The successful candidate will spend significant time alone at supplier facilities, away from the office.

4. Strong written communication skills. Reports must be clear, complete, and accurate, written in English.

5. Calm under pressure. Issues identified at pre-shipment must be raised and resolved quickly without escalating tension with the supplier.

6. Comfortable working in cold and wet conditions, including extended time inside cold storage (−18 °C or below).

7. Willing to act decisively. The role carries authority to hold a shipment when justified.