QA Manager

Job Summary:

The Quality Manager is responsible for leading, developing, managing, and executing all quality systems required within their area of responsibility. This includes working with customers, suppliers, corporate personnel, manufacturing, and supply chain staff.

Responsible for the strategic development and auditing of Quality systems such as, SQF (Safe Quality Foods), HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points), Preventive Controls, Food Defense, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), and SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures) for plant Quality department and the supply chain network while providing day to day QA leadership to ensure all products shipped are food safe and meet customer expectations. Responsible for communication of food quality standards to plant and warehousing personnel through training, preventive actions, corrective actions, quality audits, production, and facilities monitoring

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Develop, implement, communicate and maintain a Food Safety plan to assure the facilities Food Safety Systems and Policies in compliance with Federal, State, & Local regulations as well as Global Food Safety Standards.

• Conducts hazard analyses; identifying control points and preventive control measures; establishing critical limits, monitoring procedures, corrective actions, and verification and validation procedures.

• Validates quality processes by monitoring established product specifications and quality attributes; measuring production; documenting evidence; determining operational and performance qualification; writing and updating quality assurance procedures.

• Maintains and improves product quality by completing product, company, system, compliance, and surveillance audits; investigating customer complaints; collaborating with other members of management to develop new product and engineering designs, and manufacturing and training methods.

• Prepares quality documentation and reports by collecting, analyzing and summarizing information and trends including failed processes, stability studies, recalls, corrective actions, and re-validations.

• Achieves quality operational objectives by contributing information and analysis to strategic plans and reviews; preparing and completing action plans; implementing production, productivity, quality, and customer-service standards; identifying and resolving problems; completing audits; determining system improvements; implementing change

• Developing systems to ensure products are designed and produced to meet or exceed customer requirements and expectations.

• Directs QA Supervisors, Specialists and Technicians.

• Communicates performance standards to associates, recognizing and rewarding individual and team accomplishments and counseling performance problems.

• Meets with vendors, customers and quality representatives and other company staff to discuss and resolve quality issues.

• Orchestrates third party facility inspections and/or quality audits of the plant.

• Develops, maintains and reports required operational information to management. Ensures all quality-related information required for regulatory reviews and reporting is maintained by the plant.

• Participates in scheduled GMP, sanitation and safety inspections throughout the production departments and corrects, or issues work orders to correct, any identified deficiencies.

• Maintains a comprehensive understanding of all products manufactured by the plant as well as the raw materials, packaging materials, and operations required in the manufacturing process including quality specifications and standards.

• Coordinate and participate in mock recalls.

• Participates in regular meetings with plant management to discuss quality improvements.

• Keeps abreast of latest food safety, quality and manufacturing technologies, systems, and practices.

• Monitor lab results, review QA documents, environmental monitoring findings.

• Act as a designated Food Safety and/or GFSI Qualified Individual (i.e. SQF Code Practitioner, Food Defense Coordinator, and PCQI) for the facility and maintain Code System Elements relevant to the scope of certification.

WORK EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science Degree or other related degree (Required)

• Minimum 3 years’ managerial experience, including managing a QA department

in a regulated food environment.

• Knowledge of dairy Manufacturing preferred

• Certifications: Preferred, but not required HACCP, Food Defense, SQF Practitioner, PCQI.

• Direct experience with AIB, SQF or similar food industry production audits.

• Understanding of programs such as Kosher, Organic, USDA, PMO, IMS

• Comprehensive knowledge of Food Safety (HACCP principals, GMPs, SOPs and SSOPs, Pest Control, Allergen Control & Recall programs).

• Working knowledge of sanitation programs including master cleaning schedules, integrated pest management, and environmental testing

• Solid knowledge of Laboratory Procedures and Microbiology.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills both orally and written.

• Experience with FDA standards.

• Demonstrated knowledge and application of statistical process control, quality assurance techniques and tools and quality management principles in a food manufacturing environment.

Demonstrated ability to direct, coach, and train associates as well as plan, monitor and schedule work.

• Lead ‘best in “class’ behaviors with focus on food safety, quality assurance, and plant.

• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.

• Experience Planning and implementing preventative systems.

• Experience working directly with customers and supplier.

• Strong PC proficiency to include Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Working knowledge of statistical software programs.

SKILLS / OTHER PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED:

• Establishes high standards of performance for self and others.

• Engages in development planning for all direct reports, considering current job performance and career goals.

• Makes decisions based on logic, factual information, resources and constraints, and in congruence with organizational values.

• Leadership & Responsibility

• Multi-tasker with priority awareness

• Welcomes challenging assignments, viewing them as opportunities for continued learning and personal growth