Manager of Food, Safety, & Quality Operations

Under the direction of the Sr Plant Quality Assurance Manager, this individual is responsible for day-to-day oversight of Food Safety and Food Quality programs and practices, including SQF compliance and the QA Lab. Assures Food Safety and Food Quality practices are being followed / documented as required (e.g., routine operational quality checks) and includes, but is not necessarily limited to reviewing Food Quality processing data, and taking appropriate actions in light of the data presented. Provide support for preparing for, facilitating, and responding to plant internal, customer, and third-party audits.

• Oversees day-to-day execution of food quality and food safety related activities for the plant in accordance with relevant food safety legislation (FDA, HACCP, SQF, etc.). Drives plant compliance with WDI QFSEs and works with plant peers, including but not limited to: Production; Sanitation; Logistics as well as Corporate QA and new product development.
• Supports and maintains a continuous improvement (CI) culture while promoting and supporting food quality and food safety programs as well as optimizing performance in the areas of quality, safety, delivery, and cost.
• Develops and builds capabilities of people as individuals and teams through a variety of techniques and tools focused on motivation, teamwork, mentoring and coaching.
• Key driver in the implementation of Quality strategic plan. Oversees major Quality Plan components such as: Preoperational Inspections; GMPs; Product Release and Batch Documentation; Change Management; Customer/Consumer Complaint Management.
• Manages and executes labor schedules and plans to ensure appropriate coverage in support of attainment goals, labor budget, and quality monitoring needs. Actively seeks opportunities to optimize cost structure in the areas of materials, scheduling, labor, etc.
• Serves as a leader of the plant SQF plan and SQF Compliance activities. Drives corrective actions and sustainability in light of SQF and other regulatory/compliance programs and initiatives. Serves in a similar capacity for other food safety of food quality audits such as customer audits, including preparation before and action planning after the audit activities.
• Manages complaint information for contract-manufactured products, serving as the focal point and conduit between the facility and Wells Marketing, corporate QA and Client Representatives. Investigates customer / consumer complaints as needed and documents these investigations. Oversees and monitors investigative activities, trend analysis and corrective actions.

Qualifications:

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, other duties may be assigned by your supervisor, as dictated by business necessity. 

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology, and / or Food Science a minimum. 
• Demonstrated experience with food or nutritional products manufacturing and / or quality programs required. 
• Familiarity with food / nutritional product legislation (FDA & USDA 21CFR & 9 CFR) a plus. 
• HACCP and SQF certificate required. If not acquired prior to accepting the position, must attain HACCP and SQF certification within one year in role. 
• 3 years' experience in a medical product, food or nutritional product manufacturing or laboratory setting; previous experience in an FDA / USDA regulated industry. 
• Demonstrated experience with Quality Assurance principles and an understanding of dairy / food microbiological principles. 
• Experience and knowledge of food plant Food Safety & Food Quality standards and codes. 
• Understanding of classic Quality Assurance principles and control programs in an FDA / USDA regulated industry. 
• Skilled in the proficient use in Microsoft Office software. 
• Familiarity with manufacturing principles, specifically food or nutritional products, and/ or general laboratory operations beneficial. 
• General ability to understand facility specific processes such as weighing, measuring, mixing, cleaning, sterilization, documentation, process control automation. 
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills; good attention to detail and ability to follow written and oral instructions. 
• Multi-project/multi-tasking capability as well as ability to read / write English. 
• Demonstrated leadership skills (creating effective teams, driving change, managing accountability).
• Ability to establish strong relationships throughout the organization, work in a collaborative environment, and communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, at all levels within and outside of WDI. 
• Ability to differentiate among competing demands and establish or shift priorities as needed as well as assist internal customers with change management strategies and processes. 
• Able to organize and coordinate multiple tasks and to work under time pressure to meet deadlines and multi-task and work within aggressive timeframes with minimal supervision. 
• Proven ability to work with highly confidential information. 
• Ability to organize and coordinate multiple tasks and to work under time constraints to meet deadlines with minimal supervision. 
• Reports to Sr. Plant Quality Assurance Manager 
• Direct Reports - Quality Assurance Supervisors 
• Indirect Reports - QA Technicians (who directly report to the QA Supervisors). Co-workers as needed to implement new and maintain established food safety and product quality standards. 

Wells Enterprises is an EEO/AA employer M/F/Vet/Dis