About the Company

Ocean Trout Canada Inc. (OTC) is a leader in sustainable aquaculture, producing premium-quality steelhead raised in the pristine marine environments of Atlantic Canada. Our commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation drives everything we do, from responsible farming practices to exceptional customer service. As we continue to grow, we are building a team of dedicated professionals who share our passion for excellence and our vision for the future of Canadian seafood.

Position Summary The Quality Assurance & Operations Coordinator is a newly created role designed to support product quality, food safety, data accuracy, and communication between the Natures Sea Farms processing facility located in St. Alban’s, NL, OTC Production Management, Saltwater Operations, and Sales. As the position evolves, the role may also include harvest-related tasks, packaging coordination, and logistics support.

This position helps ensure that production and harvest activities meet regulatory standards, customer specifications, internal quality expectations, and operational requirements. Core responsibilities include conducting routine quality and HACCP verifications, completing required documentation and traceability records, performing accurate data entry, and validating production and harvest data. The role requires strong attention to detail, sound organization, adaptability, and consistent communication across production, quality, sales, and logistics functions.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Control Inspections

- Inspect incoming raw materials (whole fish) for freshness, condition, icing/handling, and conformity with OTC specifications.
- Observe processing activities (filleting, trimming, and packaging) to verify compliance with product quality standards.
- Inspect finished products (whole fish and fillets) for weight, label accuracy, counts, visual quality, and customer requirements.
- Verify correct order assembly, as directed by Sales.

Food Safety & Compliance

- Verify adherence to HACCP plans, sanitation procedures, and food safety standards.
- Document temperature checks in receiving, storage, and processing areas.
- Support compliance with applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., CFIA, FDA, or equivalent).
- Escalate deviations, contamination risks, or non-conformances immediately.

Documentation & Recordkeeping





- Complete and review daily inspection reports and related records.
- Maintain traceability records for raw materials and finished products.
- Ensure documentation remains audit-ready for internal and external inspections.

Sanitation & Hygiene Monitoring

- Verify that cleaning and sanitation procedures are followed.
- Verify employee hygiene practices and compliance with PPE requirements.
- Conduct pre-operational and operational sanitation inspections.

Support Activities

- Support internal audits and external regulatory inspections.
- Coordinate product testing and sample collection (microbiological, chemical, and sensory), as required.
- Collaborate with production staff to resolve quality issues in real time and to document corrective actions, as required.

Data Collection & Reporting

- Gather, record, and enter Nature Sea Farms production data into the appropriate company platforms for review and analysis.
- Support continuous improvement by communicating customer, supplier, and quality feedback to the Nature Sea Farms team.
- Perform accurate and timely data entry for production, harvest, logistics, packaging, and quality records to support traceability, reporting, and decision-making.

Communication & Plant Liaison

- Communicate timely updates to OTC Production Management through email, phone, and photos about product quality and in-process issues.
- Coordinate with Saltwater Operations and Harvest teams to verify appropriate handling and icing at harvest.
- Collaborate with OTC Production Management and Sales to align plant practices with customer specifications.
- Communicate quality feedback from customers to OTC and support timely resolution.
- Liaise with Nature Sea Farms management and QA staff regarding QA activities, findings, and follow-up actions.
- Perform daily checks and periodic audits of production and quality at all stages, as directed by OTC.
- Participate in the weekly Production and Sales meetings and provide QA/plant updates and relevant data.
- As the role evolves the following may be included in the position:




- Coordinate packaging requirements with Natures Sea Farms, including reviewing and integrating alternatives as required.
- Support packaging procurement by monitoring needs, coordinating orders with suppliers or internal contacts, and helping ensure required materials are available to meet production and customer requirements.
- Provide logistics support by helping coordinate product movement, shipment timing, carrier communication, and related documentation in alignment with production schedules and sales commitments.
- Support harvest-related tasks and planning by coordinating with Saltwater Operations, Production Management, the processing facility, and Sales to align harvest schedules with plant capacity, packaging availability, logistics requirements, and customer orders.

Qualifications & Skills

- Experience in food manufacturing or processing QA/QC or inspection (seafood experience is an asset).
- Working knowledge of food safety programs and regulatory frameworks (HACCP, CFIA/FDA, or equivalent, is an asset).
- Ability to complete accurate production, traceability, and temperature records and to perform as required, data collection.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to identify non-conformances and escalate issues promptly.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for reporting, photo documentation, and cross-functional coordination.

Work Environment

- Work is performed primarily on the production floor and in cold/wet environments typical of seafood processing.
- Requires standing and walking for extended periods, bending, reaching, and repetitive tasks.
- Requires the ability to lift and carry up to 40 lb / 18 kg, as needed.
- Requires the use of required personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to food safety and hygiene rules.
- May require flexible hours, including overtime and weekends, to support production schedules.
- Flexibility to adapt to evolving production needs, audit schedules, and customer requirements.

Why Join Us

- Opportunity to work in a rapidly growing and cutting-edge aquaculture industry.
- Competitive wages and benefits.
- Contribute to sustainable seafood production.

Benefits:
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Paid time off

Work Location: In person

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