Manager - Quality Assurance

Darigold is looking for a Quality Assurance Manager to join our team in Lynden, WA. The Quality Assurance Manager must possess the desire and ability to plan, organize, and direct quality assurance personnel and programs to assure that plant products conform to Darigold defined product quality standards, as well as Federal, State, and local standards of product identity, safety, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s).  As a member of the Plant team, the Q.A. Manager will be a true strategic partner in the Operations Division. The Q.A. Manager’s role is to serve as a resource for plant management in the areas of testing, GMPs, sanitation, and quality program administration.

What You Will Do

• Monitors and reports plant sanitation efforts. Makes appropriate recommendations to management.
• Responsible for implementing and auditing in-plant quality programs including, but not limited to: GMPs, HACCP, weight control, master sanitation schedule, pest control, Appendix N, and sanitation. Makes recommendations for improvement.
• Assists in complying with regulatory requirements related to product safety and quality.
• Supervises the operation of the plant laboratory. Recommends proper staffing of QA personnel, and the proper equipment needed and calibration of plant laboratory.
• Ensures that proper laboratory procedures are followed as outlined by Darigold Corporate Quality Dept.
• Has the responsibility to shut down any production line, reject any ingredient or packaging material, and stop the shipment of any finished products in serious violation of company or regulatory requirements or standards. Has ultimate control over the release of products for sale.
• Provides management and Corporate Quality Personnel with regular and complete reports on all matters of quality issues and standards.
• Maintains a professional working relationship with plant management, customers, and vendors.
• Works closely with vendors and customers on product quality reports and audits.
• Possesses a high degree of initiative and flexibility. 
• Works closely with the Plant Manager in other areas including, but not limited to involvement in R & D projects, and other projects and assignments as needed.
• Carries out additional assignments made by the corporate Quality Director and Plant Manager.
• Changing the GMP and Food Safety Culture
  • Jewelry worn in the plant.
  • Hand washing practices.
  • PPE compliance.
  • Cell phone use in the plant, etc.
• Focus on honing and perfecting the following processes associated with cost and loss reduction:
  • CIP validation and verification on existing systems and products.
  • CIP validation and verification on NEW products.
  • CIP system modifications and upgrades – participate in the design, installation, and CQV.
  • Process capability studies for micro (incoming raw, pasteurization effectiveness, environmental analyses, CIP, and equipment design)
  • Statistical process control and data analysis.
  • Root Cause Analysis.
  • Graphical data presentation.
  • Resampling and reworking workflow and efficiency metrics.
• Partnership with other departments
  • Establish collaborative relationships with other departments to ensure positive and engaged ways of working on the resolution of Quality and Food Safety related issues.
• New product development and change management:
  • Be the plant Point of Contact for the new product introduction.
  • Ensure compliance with the new product implementation process from creation to the first commercial production run.
• Training and development
  • Develop a training program for the QA Manager position.
  • Develop a training program for the QA Department staff: QA Supervisors, QA Lab Lead, and QA Lab technicians.

What You Bring:

• S. in Dairy, Food Science, or Science-related field.
• 3 to 5 years combined experience in dairy quality control, sanitation and/or production.
• Complete understanding of computer-driven process controls for a dairy manufacturing facility.
• PC literate.

Nice to Have’s

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and writing skills.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with all plant employees.     
• Good technical understanding of manufactured dairy products.     
• Ability to troubleshoot quality issues in a manufacturing environment.

 Field1

Benefits of Working at Darigold

We understand that as an employee, the benefits that support you and your family in and out of work are important. We are proud to offer eligible positions a competitive total rewards package – that includes: 

• 401K with competitive employer matching
• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision benefits 
• Employer paid life & disability coverage  
• Paid time off and paid holidays 
• 8 weeks (about 2 months) paid parental Leave  
• Education assistance  
• Employee assistance program 
•  Compensation range: $106,187.00-159,280.00 (individual wage based on previous experience, knowledge, and skills) 
• Relocation provided if approved

Our Commitment to Diversity 

Achieving our vision to Lead Dairy Forward requires cultivating and supporting a team with varying backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We are committed to providing a workplace based on mutual respect where all employees feel included and can bring their best and authentic selves to work every day. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Employer. We welcome all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, marital status, creed, religion, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. As a condition of employment applicants offered a role will be required to successfully pass our pre-employment background screen, receive a negative drug screen result & confirm eligibility to work in the U.S. We participate in E-Verify - please follow the links for details, English / Spanish & view our Right to Work Statement, English / Spanish. 

Salary : $106,187 - $159,280