Burch Farms is searching for a manufacturing plant-based Food Safety / Quality Assurance Manager that will provide leadership, technical assistance and direction to QA/QC Supervisors, QA/QC Technicians and sanitation Supervisors. Directly responsible for ensuring that received raw materials, suppliers, production and distribution of products meets or exceeds all quality and food safety standards. See new product concepts from inception through to commercialization. Qualify, monitor, and provide feedback to raw material vendors and Co-Packers.

Responsibilities:

· Responsible for reviewing and verification of raw material and raw material specifications.

· Responsible for evaluation of raw materials and suppliers

· Identifies and recommend creative and practical applications and modifications of ingredients, formulas and packaging materials.

· Oversee specifications, shelf-life, and other activities for new products and brand maintenance.

· Supervise plant trials and start-up activities.

· Identify innovation opportunities with Supplier and Contract Manufacturers.

· Develop and execute department budget and implement Capitol Budget to ensure facilities and equipment are sufficient to support department goals and objectives.

· Manage supervisor level team members to execute against project timelines for pipeline activities.

· Manage the day-to-day operation of the Receiving Laboratory including ensuring supplies and equipment are available and in proper working condition.

· Supervise the monitoring and inspection of the raw materials, product, equipment use and processing steps of raw ingredients through finished goods, including monitoring ingredients, formulation and processing procedures to ensure production to design quality product.

· Manage and direct Sanitation Supervisor to follow established guidelines and expectations.

· Develop team members technical and professional skill sets through mentoring and training.

· Provide leadership in coaching, education and training of management staff and plant employees for Quality Assurance; seeks assistance as needed from other training resources.

· Responsible for engaging in customer feedback cycle i.e. customer input, complaint, research, report, resolution.

· Communicate quality metric and inspection results to appropriate managers and others in leadership positions including, but not limited to daily, weekly or monthly KPI reporting.

· Assist for all local, state, federal and third-party food safety and quality audits, customer/second-party audits, organic and kosher certifications/inspections, and non-GMO verification.

· Manage and Direct the work flow of Receiving Quality Assurance Technicians, Associates and Supervisors.

· Responsible to comply with FSMA requirements, SQF Code and ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Standards.

· Responsible to enforce all Quality and Food Safety Management Standards and Regulations to ensure continual improvement and effectiveness of the Food Safety Management System with the ability to satisfy our customers and provide products that are in accordance to their intended use and safe for human consumption.

· Manage and implement effective corrective action systems to improve quality.

· Develop and communicate plant programs to meet compliance with government standards and HACCP guidelines.

· Assist with special projects as needed.

· Prepare and present new projects, plans and opportunities to all levels of management.

· Drive innovation and strategic development.

· Document processes and procedures which standardize and support company and regulatory information requirements.

· Convey, demonstrate and implement good manufacturing practices.

· Ethically represent the company and be compliant with corporate Code of Conduct.

· Assist with special projects, as needed.

· Follow and enforce company policies.

· Follow and enforce safety procedures.

Supervisory Duties:

· Manage Quality Assurance Supervisors, Quality Control Supervisors, Quality Assurance Associates, Quality Control Associates

 Physical Requirements:

· Industrial Plant environment with related noise and temperatures.

· Ability to lift a minimum of 40 lbs. and reach overhead

· Must be able to climb stairs

· Requires climbing, standing, stooping, twisting, lifting, and other physical movements to perform the job

· Ability to sit and use a computer for extended periods of time; ability to answer phones, and utilize a variety of office equipment.

Travel Requirements:

· 10-15% travel, both domestic and international, may be required.

Qualifications

· Bachelor of Science Degree or equivalent required in Food Science, Engineering, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry or related fields, with a preference for a higher degree

· Four (4) years of supervisory experience in Manufacturing and Quality Assurance in food industry

· Understanding of HACCP, GMP, FSMA, SQF Code, ISO 22000 Standard, Food Allergens and Microbiology

· Proven track record of successful product realization from concept to commercialization

· Industry leading understanding of ingredient functionality, product evaluation, health and nutrition, food manufacturing processes, microbiology, quality assurance principles, and market research practices

· Must be formally trained on HACCP implementation

· Advanced training and knowledge to ensure compliance with FSMA regulations, state and federal food standards, sanitation chemical/material use and procedures, food safety procedures, and dairy plant inspections, 3rd party audits, food labeling, and product distribution and handling

· Must be a trained Preventive Control Qualified Individual

· Knowledge in government regulatory requirement in the process of Foods including FSMA

· Quality and Food Safety Attitude

· Excellent communication skills both written and oral, and ability to work effectively with teams

· Strong organizational and planning skills

· Strong drive for results and execution ability

· Effectively use standard business suite of Microsoft software

· Excellent record keeping documentation skills

· Previous experience in the supervision of personnel

· Must be able to lead team members effectively

· Familiar with food manufacturing processes, protocols and safe food handling concepts

· Must be able to lead team members effectively

· Must be assertive and able to function independently

· Must be able to recognize and correct any quality problems

· Must be able to exercise good judgment and decision-making skills

· Must be able to complete tasks in a timely fashion

· Must be dependable and willing to work all hours/shifts required to meet departmental demand

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Experience level:

• No experience needed

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work setting:

• Food Processing Plant
• In-person
• Office
• Warehouse

Experience:

• Manufacturing: 1 year (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Faison, NC 28341 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Faison, NC 28341: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person