Quality Assurance Manager

Job Overview

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for the day-to-day quality and food safety operational management of the Plant. This position works in conjunction with the Quality Assurance Systems Coordinator to plan, organize, schedule, and manage the activities of the Quality Assurance Department. Develops and implements appropriate plant policies and procedures, and modifies as needed. Ensures the execution of Total Plant Quality.

Duties

• Support the implementation and execution of the company’s quality system programs.
• Drive Process Improvements in the processing areas.
• Manage the identification, control, disposition, and documentation of non‑conforming product to ensure regulatory compliance, food safety, and protection of the company and customer.
• Work closely with all functions to ensure compliance to all quality policies and procedures.
• Lead monthly plant GMP/Food Safety and Quality System audits.
• Lead food safety programs including, but not limited to: HACCP program, FSMA Food Safety Plans, Allergen program, Food Defense program, and Pest Control program.
• Help to drive overall efforts to a more Quality Assurance model vs. strictly a control model.
• Support, train, review, coach and manage staff. Help staff be more “quality coaches”, supporting Operations, vs. “quality cops”. Stressing the need for Teamwork across the enterprise.
• Responsible for food safety and quality of the product produced or packaged on a daily basis.
• Investigate QA complaints and non-conformance holds and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Coordinates the completion of 3rd party food safety audits, in conjunction with the QA Systems Coordinator.
• Supports R&D Department in developing new products.
• Assists management in developing short and long-term goals and plans for the Quality Assurance Department. Provides suggestions and recommendations.
• Develop, manage, improving and seeking new testing methods. Includes Lab compliance, lab standards and testing protocol. Train and verify staff in proper testing protocols.
• Manage the Pest Control program, overseeing the pest control service provider. Monitor the program for trends and identify and implement necessary actions.
• Plans, promotes, organizes, and conducts training activities related to quality and food safety.
• Prioritize spending time on the production floor working with the quality and operations teams daily.
• Any other duties as required by management.

Qualifications

Education/Certification: College degree in science discipline, Food Science, Microbiology, or Chemistry preferred. Pluses: PCQI Certification, HACCP Certification, Process Control for Acidified Foods or Better Process Control School, and SQF Practitioner preferred.

Required Knowledge: Requires significant experience in a food production environment. Food safety quality system experience. Knowledgeable of GMP’s, sanitation, Pest Control, SOP’s, Allergen Control, FSMA and HACCP, Food Defense. Good understanding of the science behind process control, chemistry and machinery/processing equipment functioning. Prior experience in thermal processing and knowledge of CIP systems preferred.

Experience Required: 5 years of related supervisory experience required. Food background with experience in food quality assurance (additional product development experience is a plus).

Skills/Abilities: Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Strong decision making and organizational skills

Excellent computer skills (Word, Excel and other computer applications)

Solid statistical and math skills as well as problem solving abilities.

Ability to work independently

Ability to teach and lead

Concord Foods is an EOE