The Quality Manager is responsible for implementing and maintaining all necessary quality and food safety programs at the Decatur facility. Specific responsibilities include oversight of SQF, regulatory, quality assurance and quality control activities associated with the Decatur manufacturing plant location. This position is accountable for compliance with FDA, USDA, Food Safety, Regulatory, SSOP, HACCP, and Quality programs, and is a resource for all receiving, shipping, maintenance, and production quality records.

A Day in the Life:

• Selecting top talent and onboarding/training new employees.
• Ensuring that all employees follow all personnel rules and policies.
• Holding employees accountable for performing their daily duties and demonstrating appropriate workplace behaviors.
• Providing continuous feedback, coaching, and timely and effective discipline when necessary.
• Evaluating, monitoring and providing regular feedback on employees’ performance, and holding regular, effective team meetings.
• Tracking employees’ attendance and verifying accuracy of daily timekeeping records.
• Demonstrating financial responsibility by protecting the employers’ financial interest.
• Serving as role model by demonstrating professionalism, honesty, integrity, ethical behavior, and living our company values.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the hiring, training, and retention of a high performing Quality team in the Decatur facility.
• Work closely with Corporate Quality to meet all Food Safety, Regulatory, and Quality objectives.
• Maintain and chair HACCP and prerequisite food safety programs for the Decatur facility.
• Work collaboratively with all departments to ensure quality and food safety programs are properly designed, implemented, and maintained.
• Review, develop, and maintain all internal audits, non-conformance reports, controlled Food Safety and Quality documents, and all pre-requisite programs including GMPs, master sanitation schedule, product/ingredient holds, trailer inspection records, pest control data, testing results of the Business Continuity Plan and back flow prevention map.
• Oversee food safety and quality related training for employees.
• Manage Appendix N program in compliance with Illinois Dept. of Public Health.
• Serve as primary plant contact for IDPH, USDA, FDA, SQF, third-party auditors and officials.
• Support plant operations in all compliance related investigations and corrective actions.
• Establish the Environmental Monitoring program by managing the swabbing schedule in LIMS, follows up on sample/system issues and any non-conforming results.
• Oversee lab testing and records in Tillamook’s Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Develop product/ingredient testing, ingredient inspections, and product evaluation programs for positive product release.
• Communicate effectively.
• Utilize a computer with intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint. ERP system knowledge is required; NAV is a plus.
• Act as a team player and be able to interact with staff at all levels of the company.
• Work under pressure, meet deadlines, and be flexible in working on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrate excellent time-management skills with the ability to work independently with little supervision. Familiarity with regulatory and PMO requirements if required.

Physical Requirements:

• Sitting
• Standing and/or walking (4-8 hours a day)
• Lifting 20 lbs. minimum.
• Vision for machine or computer operations.
• Hearing.
• Bending, twisting, climbing stairs and ladders for plant needs.
• Must be able to wear standard hearing protection.

Education, Experience, and Certification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, microbiology or related field; or three to five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8 years of progressively responsible experience managing an operation with supervisor experience.
• Experience in a dairy.
• HACCP and SQF Practitioner certification is required.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Decatur, IL: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person