Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Leader

Reports To: Plant Manager

Job Summary: The Quality Manager - Ingredients is responsible for managing the entire Quality Program for the Ingredients facility, including SOP creation and maintenance and oversight of all Quality activities. Key functions include ensuring all relevant quality and regulatory requirements are met for production from receipt and processing of raw materials to final shipment, maintaining and updating the Food Safety Program, overseeing internal & external audits, maintaining certifications, and assisting with the maintenance of current and effective food safety and quality programs (Prerequisite programs, FSMA, process control programs, etc). The incumbent in this role will be required to work closely with teams on a number of projects, including leading Quality on meeting and/or exceeding Quality and Food Safety standards.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Ensures the food safety programs are updated and maintained.
• Leads the Food Safety and Quality team meetings and assists with the maintenance of the food safety prerequisite, preventive controls, and the overall Food Safety program. Also maintains monthly meeting schedules, prepares monthly review materials, and compiles meeting minutes.
• Maintains proficiency and understanding of food regulations and maintains communication with the teams to aid in ongoing compliance. (FSMA compliance, FDA labeling regulations, etc…).
• Steers and participates in Certifications Audits (Organic, Gluten free, NON GMO...).
• Applies and updates crisis management procedure for the Ingredients facility.
• Develops, organizes and implements effective training programs re: hygiene, FSMA, Food Safety/HACCP. Provides hands-on assistance and direction to production teammates as needed to ensure product safety and quality.
• Ensures product and sales/customer samples are properly selected and shipped as needed.
• Assists in the investigation and resolution of customer complaints, including root cause analysis.
• Provides regular oversight and review of process monitoring and product verification results for all processes.
• Maintains and reviews Quality Control documentation.
• Responsible for ensuring that QC holds and non-conforming materials are identified, segregated, processed, handled, stored, and dispositioned in a manner consistent with company food safety and quality policies as well as regulatory requirements.
• Implements and drives certifications upgrades (BRC, ISO, etc…).
• Updates quality procedures and validates all quality documentation prior to implementing new versions.
• Guarantees the respect of quality procedures and leads all continuous improvement process for BAP.
• Manages the internal audit function while ensuring that internal audits are performed as required, and results documented and communicated to the internal teams.
• Assists Management by providing inputs for monthly KPI’s. Provides feedback to assist Quality management in ongoing quality improvement initiatives.
• Participates in regulatory & Food Safety, etc… audits and aiding in compliance requirements for FDA, USDA, BRC, Organic, or similar inspectors / auditors.
• Works closely with team members to ensure that all Quality activities align with each other’s, as well as customer, company, and regulatory requirements and standards.
• Participates in production, spec and other meetings as necessary for smooth and continuous production flow.
• Serves as a resource / reference to production team members on quality related issues.
• Ensures that safety practices are properly followed, including adherence to proper PPE requirements, safety, role modeling behavior and maintaining clean and organized work spaces.
• Pro-actively seeks to correct unsafe conditions and reports any conditions that are not immediately resolved.
• Continuously promotes motivation among the staff to strive for more efficient and productive Quality department, including modeling and leading high standards.
• In conjunction with Human Resources, is responsible for interviewing, selection, coaching, training, discipline, recognition and performance management of an hourly staff through positive relations, morale building, teamwork, and consistent leadership.
• Coaches and models behaviors for team members for appropriate processes and facilitates problem solving through team work and the promotion of a respectful environment, to include conducting and leading team meetings.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s Degree (B.S.) in Food Science or related area (Biology, Chemistry, etc) preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience in a food quality role.
• Prior supervisory experience preferred.
• Knowledge of FSMA, SPC, HACCP, USDA, FDA, Organic certification, Global Standards for Food Safety/BRC requirements, sanitation practices.
• Regular and reliable attendance required.
• Accuracy with detail, planning, organizing and efficiency.
• Excellent computer skills (proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook is a must).
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate with all levels of the company.
• Excellent analytical and reasoning skills, with the ability to provide recommendations. (For example, must have ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situation where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instruction furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.)
• Ability to work effectively with various lab equipment including but not limited to: scales, torque meter, refractometer, pH meter, ATP Meter, Bostwick meter, manual titrator, colorimeter, etc.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. (For example, ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedures. Must have ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from customers, managers and teammates.)
• Excellent judgement and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability for successful goal setting, employee communication and effective leadership behavior (ability to motivate employees and treat them fairly and consistently).
• Experienced team builder and participant.
• Ability to handle pressure of dealing with priorities that change frequently, and have very short time frames.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.