POSITION SUMMARY: The Manager, Quality Assurance & Commercialization is responsible for the design, development, implementation, and execution of quality assurance and food safety programs and systems throughout the entire supply chain (i.e. raw materials, manufacturing, storage, distribution, and restaurant) for all products in the Checkers/Rally's system. This is a Tampa-based position.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Execute the Supplier, Facility, & Product Approval processes for new suppliers of Checkers/Rally's food and packaging products.
• Collaborate with R&D and Supply Chain on the development, implementation, and maintenance of raw material and finished product formulas and specifications.
• Review and approve corrugate and label proofs for food and non-food products.
• Attend new product commercialization runs. Verify product conformance to approved specification. Ensure product is set up for product monitoring and with appropriate temperature monitoring. Manage QA approvals of new/commercialized products and ingredients.
• Maintain product category tree and supplier/product data warehouse.
• Manage quality complaint/incident hotline through S2G reporting system for food, paper, equipment, distribution, services, and utilities, including documentation, corrective actions and appropriate follow-through with suppliers, distributors, restaurants, and corporate and franchise contacts.
• Participate in analysis of the product monitoring program for finished product evaluations to ensure product performance and conformance to established specifications.
• Develop metrics, identify trends and report on consumer & restaurant incidents. Conduct incident investigations.
• Actively contribute to compliance and traceability initiatives, including new system and program implementations.
• Provide guidance for supplier & distributor onboarding to Checkers & Rally's QA requirements & programs.
• Manage activities related to the verification of consistent product quality and food safety across the Checkers & Rally's supply system. This includes, but is not limited to, analysis of third-party monitoring program data, analysis of third-party temperature monitoring data, analysis of supplier production summaries, and analysis of finished product.
• Conduct plant, distributor, and bakery production visits & audits.
• Execute the distribution center approval process for new and existing distributors of all Checkers/Rally's food and packaging products.
• Collaborate with Legal, Field Operations & Field Operations Services to address food safety-related consumer incidents & claims.
• Monitor, interpret, and manage technical issues associated with biotechnology, public health, toxicology, environment, animal rights, emerging food safety concerns, crises, and current industry issues, and develops action plans as appropriate.
• Maintains knowledge of food safety, FSMA, FDA & USDA requirements, HACCP, current industry issues, and new technology regarding food and packaging products.
• Provide expertise and participate in the Checkers/Rally's Product Withdrawal and Recall Program. Be prepared to act as lead when needed.
• Establish and maintain relationships with regulatory and industry officials to build knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations. Provide guidance and subject matter expertise to the organization.
• Actively participate in technical associations and conferences.
• Collaborate with the FSQA team, including restaurant food safety, as needed.

FUNCTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Performs job specific assignments relative to the Quality Assurance Department.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge

• Excellent customer service skills with the ability to engage others and establish rapport.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to effectively communicate and build relationships with all levels within the organization, and with guests, franchisees, and suppliers.
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to handle multiple priorities, meet demanding deadlines, adjust to sudden changes in workflow, and maintain high quality standards.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to think independently, take corrective action, and to resolve inquiries and requests for information.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, guests, and the general public.
• Ability to maintain all job-related information in a confidential and private manner.

Education

• Four-year college degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or related field required.
• Education, certification or experience in data management and analysis.
• Food safety credentials a plus

Experience

• At least 5 - 7 years' experience.
• Experience with food safety, HACCP, quality systems, GMP, FDA, USDA, and regulatory requirements regarding process food.
• Experience with product preparation/cooking procedures and equipment operation.
• Experience in QSR industry preferred.
• Experience in food production, supply management, or manufacturing.
• High degree of proficiency with Microsoft Office suite.
• Education, certification or experience in data management and analysis.

Essential Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret written information such as procedure manuals, company communications or governmental regulations.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods in one location which may be restricted to the employee's workstation.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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REQ# 7981

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