The Quality Manager is responsible for leading the plant quality functions and personnel to safely, responsibly, consistently and cost effectively test and produce products that meet all applicable government, customer and company expectations.

Ensure the plant execution of the IPS Quality Pillar delivers the continuous improvement of results for: in-process rework/downgrades; first pass compliance (FPC) metrics; customer complaints; internal/external audit results. 

Core Responsibilities:

• Through the Leadership Competencies of META5, lead all aspects of plant Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC)
• Provide leadership and guidance to the quality teams to understand, implement, and sustain the IPS pillars in order to achieve goals and operate within the annual department budget.
• Ensure IPS Safety Pillar requirements are known and in place for the quality team. Drive quality EHSS management and achieve all EHSS targets and ensure zero recordable incidents.
• Ensure IPS HR pillar requirements are known and in place for the quality team. Provide leadership in developing, coaching, and supporting the plant Quality team to inspire potential and deliver strong performance. Build Great Talents.
  • Ensure plant employees receive training to comply with IPS quality pillar. Verify compliance of internal and external training to meet regulatory and customer requirements.
• Ensure the IPS Reliability Pillar requirements are known and in place for the quality team.
• Ensure the IPS Management Pillar requirements are known and in place for the quality team.
• Manage quality communication to all levels of the plant organization.
• As the plant quality leader and owner of the IPS Quality Pillar:
  • Cascade quality strategy to the site leadership team.
  • Ensure that all work activities of plant employees are performed with attention to the highest standards of quality, food safety, regulatory compliance with all Ingredion, certification body, customer, or legal requirements…doing things right the first time.
  • Track & monitor plant quality performance. Ensure non-conformances/non-compliances are identified, addressed, corrected, and resolved…see something, say something.
  • Ensure the Process Technical Specifications (PTS) or Minimum Mandatory Sampling Plan is properly executed and aligned with regional/global requirements.
  • Foster a continuous improvement mindset with the plant quality teams. Support open dialogue to address opportunities in operational efficiencies, quality enhancements or cost reduction initiatives.
  • Lead quality change management: review all new products, process changes and specification changes for the plant. Ensure the IPS quality standards are being met prior to approving and changes.
  • Ensure IPS Quality Pillar Food Safety standards are implemented and maintained across the plant operations.
  • Drive the standardization and execution of quality methods/processes to ensure consistent and repeatable results (data) while maintaining TRUST in the results used for decision making.
  • Act as the gate keeper for non-conforming product disposition. Prevent the release of non-conforming product to customers through the effective management of deviations and controls. Provide quality input to the disposition process for non-conforming products or materials as well as slow moving and obsolete (BRaD) raw materials and finished goods, minimizing stock write-off / write down.
  • Report the quality KPI’s for the plant adhering to the Global KPI calculation policies. Ensure all relevant data is included in the roll up of plant quality results.
  • Immediately report major quality and/or food safety failures to your line manager and utilize the regional/global quality resources to more quickly and effectively manage issues.
  • Lead the plant quality and operations teams to fully utilize the quality modules in Intelex/Cority to ensure required documentation is collected and maintained for all Ingredion, certification body, customer, or legal requirements.
  • Collaborate with regional/global supplier quality to manage raw material compliance and ensure supplier conformance through the TraceGains system.
  • Serve as the primary contact for external audits and lead customer, regulatory and certification audits for the plant. Respond in a timely and professional manner to audit non-conformances and any customer and/or regulatory agency inquiries. Coordinate with sales/commercial teams as needed.
  • Drive reduction in customer complaints, effectively addressing root causes / systemic issues and improved response times.
  • Interface with other functional teams to collaborate on problem products and resolve manufacturing quality challenges.
  • Improve and develop the plant quality culture. Coordinate Quality Month activities and communication for the plant.

Qualified candidates will have / be:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher. Prefer a degree in a Quality, Engineering, Science or Food Technology discipline.
• Minimum five (5) years in a leadership role with relevant experience is required with experience in Quality QA/QC supervisory role, manufacturing, engineering, Continuous Improvement (CI), Quality Analytics, or Supplier Management (SQA) roles a plus.
• Fluent in English. In regions where multiple languages are spoken, proficiency in other languages is a plus.
• Well-organized, detail orientated and strong META5 leadership abilities with a strong will to succeed.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required with proven ability to work cross-functionally within operations (manufacturing & supply chain) as well as with innovation and commercial across multiple cultures and locations.
• Experience in leading strategies and implementing standards to drive improvement.
• Ability to lead by example and able to balance Ingredion quality standards with cost impacts to the plant and not jeopardize the company reputation.
• Ability to lead through influence and align multiple stakeholders behind compelling plans – reduces complex issues to simple principles to gain alignment and understanding. Strong problem-solving skills using advanced statistical techniques.
• Customer focused – balance customer and regulatory needs with business goals. Seen as a credible technical leader in customer and/or external interactions.
• Data driven – able to utilize data to make decisions to improve quality / customer lead times, optimize inventory and minimize complexity / reduce costs.
• Desired skills include proficiency in IPS / ISO 9001 / ISO 17025 / HACCP / GFSI Schemes (FSSC 22000/BRC/IFS/SQF) / Halal / Kosher / Organic / Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing
• Knowledgeable in GMP’s, inspection/auditing guidelines, sanitation, food regulations, pest control, and product safety.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Applications

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We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. Ingredion seeks to provide a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, handicap or disability—mental or physical—marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability resulting from military service, or any other classification protected by law (“protected classifications”). We are committed to establishing and maintaining a work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

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