Food Quality Assurance Manager - Manufacturing

Recipe for Success

Reser’s is the leading provider of fresh refrigerated foods for the supermarket and food service industries.  Family owned and operated, Reser’s has been a proud sponsor of good times at picnics, BBQs, and affordable family meals since 1950.  Reser’s family of brands include Reser’s American Classics, Main Street Bistro, Don Pancho, and more.  Reser’s operates facilities in the US, Mexico and actively supports the communities it serves.

Benefits and Culture

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to help employees live a healthier life, build rewarding careers and save for the future.  Reser’s offers choices whenever possible, because we recognize the diverse and ever-changing needs of our employees.  Full-time employee benefits include medical, dental, vision, AD&D, life, 401(k) with discretionary match, wellness programs, paid time off, company paid holidays and a variety of voluntary benefit options.

We strive to be Employer of Choice.  As one of our five cornerstones, this means that we go all-out to create an environment that shows we are committed to investing in employee growth and creating a culture of belonging where employees what to build a lasting career.  

Visit our website to learn more about our competitive benefit programs – https://resers.com/careers/#benefits

Reser’s Fine Foods – Job Description

Title: QA Manager

Location: Production

Reports to: Facility General Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Summary:

Top Food Safety, Quality Assurance, and Regulatory Compliance (FSQAR) Leadership role in a production facility and as part of the Facility Leadership Team. Reporting to the Facility General Manager, this role is responsible for delivering high performance against FSQAR goals and requirements. Builds a high-performing Facility FSQAR team that improves skills and capabilities and enables succession. Responsible for effectively implementing and driving improvements at the plant level that enable and ensure FSQAR program compliance. Effectively participates and engages in the broader Reser’s FSQAR community to improve the Brand and Customer Satisfaction.  

Essential Position Functions: 

1. Builds and maintains a high-performing FSQAR team at the Facility. Hires and effectively builds/manages a qualified plant QA/QC team to deliver against FSQAR goals and objectives. 

2. Leads the development of the Facility QA teams. Builds skills and competencies in the FSQAR team to improve FSQAR performance and enable a deliberate succession plan. 

3. Responsible for managing data-driven Food Safety Management and Quality Assurance Programs.  Responsible for maintaining and improving FSQAR programs to verify new and existing processes and products meet compliance requirements for the markets and customers’ expectations.

4. Writes, reviews, and drives implementation of Facility SOPs and measurement of performance against them. Ensures SOPs effectively align with the objectives of the Corporation’s Food Safety Management and Quality Assurance policies and programs.

5. Demonstrated skills and expertise in managing FDA/USDA requirements in manufacturing. This role will manage against both USDA and FDA requirements for Food safety and labeling. Experience in ensuring compliance will be important.

6. Provides FSQAR Facility leadership to support to enable commercialization of new products. Leads and manages FSQAR requirements in new product launches, including specification management and data-driven performance measurement and reporting.

7. Ensures the Facility is Audit-ready. Overall responsibility to ensure the facility is always prepared for internal, external, and regulatory audits. Owns the management and improvements in programs in record review, process verification, and validation.

8. Effectively Partners with Quality Directors on Corporate Projects and Initiatives. Leads the facility in improving and aligning Food Safety Management systems and Quality programs, and provides updates on performance and project plans.

Education and Experience:

1. B.S. in Food Science/Technology, Microbiology, or related field, or a minimum of 8 years in a progressive quality assurance or equivalent position is required.

2. 5 years in a FSQAR supervisory role in the food manufacturing business, or related field. 

3. HACCP, PCQI Certifications are required; SQF and Internal Auditor certifications are preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Demonstrated ability to drive FSQAR programs and continuous improvements in a food manufacturing environment or related field. 

2. Skilled at communicating at all levels of the organization using written, verbal, and electronic modes of communication.

3. Proficient computer skills (E-mail, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, LX, PKMS helpful)

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: 

1. Food processing, warehouse, and food laboratory environment.

2. The environment may be wet or dry, and temperatures may range from 25oF to 110oF.

3. Exposure to hazardous materials.

4. Ability to climb ladders, bend, reach, and occasionally lift up to 40 lbs. may be required. 

5. Production demands may require overtime and/or evening or weekend scheduling.

Exempt only:  This position is eligible for a bonus based on company goals/performance.