Job Overview

 Quality Assurance Manager will be responsible for leading, managing, training, and coordinating activities of the facility’s Quality Departments. The manager will develop facility specific food safety and quality assurance policies and programs that ensure Biery Cheese products are manufactured consistently and in accordance with corporate direction and initiatives, customer initiatives and expectations, and regulatory and SQF standards. The individual must have the ability to work off-shifts and weekends, as needed. The Manager will coordinate, prepare for and execute all facility customer, third party and regulatory audits. Prepare, coordinate, and execute quality and food safety training needs to departmental personnel. Manager will be the facility point of contact for customer complaints and response.

Essential Accountabilities

• Provide leadership to Quality Assurance team and foster positive employee relations throughout the organization.

• Develops, manages, and audits the quality, food safety, and sanitation (as needed) policies and programs for manufacturing and packaging operations at the facility. 

• Develop, train, and implement SOPs, work instructions and form documents pertinent to quality and food systems.

• Verifies proper implementation, execution, and accountability for all food safety, quality, and sanitation programs utilized at the facility.

• Leads, develops, advises on, and coordinates continuous improvement initiatives for quality, food safety, and food defense.

• Works cross-functionally to ensure food safety, quality, and customer criteria and expectations are met.

• Leads the facility’s HACCP and Food Defense teams.

• Develops, manages, and trends the facilities environmental monitoring program to ensure it is effective.

• Develops and manages the review and approval of policies and programs for all raw materials and finished products used or produced at the facility.

• Works cross-functionally to identify, communicate, and evaluate vendors and/or material issues identified at the facility. 

• Be the primary point of contact for USDA/FDA, SQF, third-party, military, and organic audits.

• Plans, coordinates, and identifies corrective action follow-up for all food safety and quality audits.

• Establish and maintain a cheese grading and sensory program for the facility.

• Onboard product innovation by working cross-functionally to ensure all quality and food safety systems are identified, created, trained, and implemented.

• Other duties as assigned. 

• Responsible for following all applicable safety policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Preferred 4 yr. science related degree with at least 2 years of experience in Quality Assurance. 

• Skills to provide guidance including leading teams, problem solving, tenacity and integrity.

• Must be able to multi-task and prioritize the completion of tasks with respect to importance/ deadlines

• Must understand HACCP/FSMA and the key components of a HACCP/FSMA program

• Must be able to work independently and work efficiently with little or no supervision

• Ability to research and interpret trends and potential compliance risks.

• Ability to collect, analyze and present facts in written and oral communication

• Understand statistical process control (SPC) concepts and tools

• Proficiency in MS Office, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

• Strong technical expertise in food safety, regulatory compliance, USDA, FDA, HACCP/FSMA, SQF and GMPs

• Preferred FMSA certified 

Work Environment

Work environment involves moderate risks or discomforts which may require special safety precautions working around moving machines in production facilities, Protective clothing or gear such as goggles, gloves and shoes may be required. Must be able to work in a cold environment.

Physical Demands

Work requires some physical strain such as long periods standing and walking in production facility, and lifting of moderately heavy items such as test equipment kits and product cases. Other physical demands include climbing, crouching, and reaching. Must be able to lift 50 pounds continually throughout the shift.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.