Quality Assurance Manager

Position Objective:

Lead, direct and coordinate all food safety and quality system programs including raw material, process and finished product quality. Fully engaged in supporting new product launches, process improvement and the production teams. Responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable food regulations as well as the requirements of certification bodies like the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards. Primary owner of First Pass Quality Metric.

Key Result Areas:

Performance Standards

Quality Control & Assurance

• Develop, manage and maintain the Food Safety Quality System (including document control, non-conformance and hold systems)
• Responsible for implementing, documenting, controlling maintaining a detailed quality management system including procedures, records, GMP’s, HARPC and the reanalysis of the HAPRC/Food Safety Plan
• Carry out duties of SQF Practitioner and Plant PCQI
• Administer and ensure execution of HARPC/Food Safety Plan programs and prerequisite programs (plant inspection, sanitation, pest control, kosher, CAR/PAR, NCMR etc.)
• Design, implement, maintain and oversee quality management systems that:
  • Ensure all products meet or exceed customer and company quality specifications;
  • Ensure that all exceptions to product quality standards are promptly and thoroughly investigated, root cause is identified, corrected and preventive measures instituted to avoid reoccurrence;
  • Ensure all customer qualification requirements are met or exceeded; and
  • Ensure full compliance with SQF quality standards
• Meet or exceed all applicable government and company food safety standards
• Collaborate with production and with R&D to develop and commercialize new products
• Clearly communicates food safety and quality objectives with production, maintenance, sanitation departments and external contractors
• Assist R&D with product information and testing
• Work with Supply Chain to resolve vendor issues regarding food safety/quality

Regulatory Requirements

• Meet food safety compliance and certification agencies regulations (i.e. FDA, State, CFIA, GFSI, SQF, Kosher, and Organic etc.)
• Develop and manage a Food Safety Plan that meets FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Preventive Control requirements
• Ensure collection of samples and performing of appropriate tests to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental guidelines

Technical Control

• Conduct/supervise chemical and physical testing to ensure products produced meet     specifications
• Analyze plant and lab data to identify trends, issues, and areas of opportunity
• Oversee laboratory method development and validation.
• Provide technical and process training to production personnel as needed
• Promptly notify corporate QA about potential withdrawal/recall situations
• Lead all plant investigations related to potential quality or food safety issues including any withdrawal/recall situation

Manufacturing/Sales Support Service

• Provide manufacturing with information as needed for production
• Support production teams as the subject matter expert for quality and food safety concerns
• Conduct comparative analysis of field samples when obtained
• Fully and promptly investigate customer complaints, prepare timely written responses in accordance with Corporate QA Policy, and develop and implement effective measures to prevent reoccurrence
• Answer requests for information from Sales and customers promptly and completely 
• Maintain computer files in QA database with QA data on all products produced in plant
• Ensure Certificate of Analysis data is entered into database for all manufactured products

Financial Control

• Prepare and submit in a timely manner outside technical service expenses (e.g., environmental contractors, external laboratories, etc.) for the annual operating budget and periodic cost forecasts.
• Prepare and execute annual budget for Quality department within company guidelines

Process Improvement and New Product Research & Development

• Recommend, and promptly and effectively evaluate and test new raw materials, manufacturing processes and equipment, process control instruments and/or strategies, laboratory methods and instruments, process conditions, packaging materials, etc., and vigorously drive the implementation of changes that improve quality, reduce production cost, and/or increase throughput
• Identify, mitigate and control environmental impacts of new or revised processes and products
• Innovate, recommend, and collaborate with Technical Services and R&D to develop new products/services in a timely and cost effective manner
• Interface with management, other AB Mauri plants, and R&D, through regular and effective written and verbal communications, to ensure adequate levels of technical support are provided and technical evaluations and developments are properly documented and disseminated
• Identify and execute continuous improvement projects

Human Resources

• Comply with HR policies and procedures
• Comply with relevant employment laws
• Provide periodic and effective training to plant personnel on applicable technical and quality issues, to ensure compliance with all certifications and regulatory requirements and efficient process control
• Assess employees’ development requirements and ensure employees receive necessary training and experience, and assign annual performance and development objectives that are aligned with the needs of the facility and the business
• Ensure primary and backup SQF practitioners are properly identified, trained and capable

Other

• Perform duties of management representative for the SQF and other GFSI programs
• Act as Management Representative for QMS/FSMS program
• Approve vendors as necessary
• Other duties as assigned

A combination of the listed skills and knowledge is preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Food Science from an accredited college or university
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in managing and leading quality assurance/control in a food manufacturing facility
• Food Safety/HACCP training (certification is preferred)
• Experience with Quality Management Systems such as ISO 9000 / 22000 or SQF
• Experience with implementing food hygiene procedures and food safety requirements
• Process and/or product development experience
• Budgeting and cost control experience
• Advanced computer skills with excellent skills in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Knowledge of safety and environmental regulations and compliance
• Demonstrated people and leadership skills with track record of achieving positive business results the right way
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly developed coaching and training skills
• Excellent organizational, analytical, prioritization and problem solving skills

Working Conditions

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and talk, hear and smell. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is sometimes exposed to airborne particles and chemicals. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts.  The employee frequently works in high places and is infrequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, and vibration

Other Factors

• Light travel