Quality Assurance & Food Safety Manager - HICP

Job Description

Leadership and a decision maker position responsible for the overall direction, management, and coordination of a Quality Assurance and Food Safety operation with a manufacturing facility which may include functions or roles, such as, QA lab, sanitation systems, and document control. - Serves as plant technical leader in the areas of food quality and food safety and as a liaison to Corporate QA.

• Develops and implements quality assurance and food safety strategies and plans designed to continuously improve and optimize performance in the areas of quality, food safety, delivery and cost. Leads the 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.). Provides technical leadership, direction and recommendations to plant teams.
• Develops and builds capability of people as individuals and teams (including but not limited to, lab functions, sanitation systems, document control and hygienist) through a variety of techniques and tools focused on motivation, teamwork, mentoring and coaching. Drives plant compliance with WDI QFSEs and works with plant peers, including, but not necessarily limited to: Production; CI; Sanitation; Engineering; Logistics; as well as Corporate QA and New Product Development. Mentors’ others in quality learning, investigatory practices, regulatory documentation and sustainability
• Leader in the development and implementation of Quality and Food Safety strategic plans for the plant/site. Oversees major Quality and Food Safety Plan components such as: Hygiene; Document Control; Product Release and Batch Documentation; Change Management; Process and Cleaning Validation; Allergen Management; Product Sampling and Testing; and Customer Complaint Management.
• Responsible for assigned budget and establishment of cost controls for associated expenses. Drives execution of food quality and food safety plant capital projects and priorities and ensures effective administration of plans
• Sets and manages plant labor schedules and plans to ensure appropriate coverage in support of quality and food safety goals, labor budget, and quality monitoring needs. Actively seeks opportunities to optimize cost structure in the areas of materials, scheduling, labor, etc.
• Leads the SQF plan and SQF Compliance activities. Proposes, implements and drives corrective actions and ongoing sustainability in light of SQF and other regulatory/compliance programs and initiatives. Serves as the site leader for other food safety or food quality audits such as customer audits, including preparation before and action planning after the audit activities.
  
  
  

Qualifications

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

• This position may back-up the Quality Assurance Supervisor and Quality Assurance Technicians may serve as the back-up for this position.
• 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.
• Demonstrated 5 years’ experience in a medical product, food or nutritional product manufacturing or laboratory setting; previous experience in an FDA / USDA regulated industry.
• Demonstrated 5 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 and Food Safety principles and an understanding of dairy / food microbiological principles.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of food plant Food Safety & Food Quality standards and codes.
• Understanding of classic Quality Assurance and Food Safety 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. Ability to read / write English.
• Demonstrated leadership skills (creating effective teams, driving change, managing accountability)
• Ability to establish strong relationships throughout the organization and work in a collaborative environment.
• Able to 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, assist internal customers with change management strategies and processes, and organize and coordinate multiple tasks and to work under time pressure to meet deadlines.
• Ability to 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 - Director Enterprise Quality
• Direct Reports - Quality Assurance (QA) Supervisors, QA Hygienists
• Indirect Reports - 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

About Us

Wells Enterprises, Inc. is the largest privately held ice cream manufacturer in the United States. Founded in 1913 by Fred H. Wells and run by the Wells family for generations, the company is an independent operating company of the Ferrero Group, one of the global leaders in sweet, packaged foods.

Wells produces more than 200 million gallons of ice cream per year and distributes products in all 50 states. Wells manufactures its signature brand Blue Bunny®, lower-calorie Halo Top®, the iconic Bomb Pop®, and Blue Ribbon Classics®.

Wells employs nearly 4,000 ice cream aficionados across the country. The company is headquartered in Le Mars, Iowa, where Wells has made Le Mars the “Ice Cream Capital of the World” as the largest manufacturer of ice cream in one location. Wells operates two manufacturing plants in Le Mars, Iowa, a manufacturing plant in Dunkirk, New York, and a manufacturing facility in Henderson, Nevada. Learn more at www.wellsenterprisesinc.com.

What We Offer

At Wells, we’re proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual incentive bonus based on Company performance. Learn more about our benefits here.