Director, Quality Assurance Operations

The Director of Quality Assurance Operations has the responsibility for implementing and maintaining the Quality Assurance and Regulatory Program at Actus Nutrition facilities. This includes Actus owned facilities, toll manufacturers and key suppliers. This role will work closely Actus Nutrition management to drive a Quality culture through training and awareness, continuous improvement and development of the Quality System and developing strong relationships with operations, customers, and external industry groups. This role will require 50% travel to our facilities in Visalia, CA, Jerome, ID, and Norfolk, NE.

Essential Responsibilities

• Responsible for ensuring that Actus Nutrition manufacturing operations are performing as a highly aligned network. Providing leadership for alignment of quality metrics and performance between Corporate Quality and Plant Operations.
• Develop and implement Actus Nutrition quality plan including strategies, goals and objectives that will achieve quality targets consistent with Actus strategic plan.
• Lead plant operations teams to achieve First Pass Quality targets.
• Work in tandem with the QA Managers and Operations to ensure all customer complaints are investigated and addressed in a timely manner. Drive strategic projects to improve and prevent future occurrences. Assist with communication to the customer/consumer. Interact with customers to identify opportunities to improve quality and establish feedback with manufacturing and development personnel.
• Establish Quality Assurance Specifications for all products and ingredients and ensure that these specifications are met and adhered to and meet the cost-effective requirements for ease of manufacture and responsibility.
• Interface with suppliers, customers to ensure supplier compliance, customer satisfaction and lead corrective action.
• Support sales and business with key customer meetings, visits/audits and ensure follow up by the plant on any required quality/food safety action items. Ensure the manufacturing sites can deliver on the expectations set forth in customer agreement, product formulations and finished good specifications. Communicate any potential gaps.
• Work jointly with R&D on the development and commercialization of new products to ensure they follow company policies, SOPs, and specifications.
• Work jointly with engineering on the plant infrastructure, equipment and processing initiatives, ensuring compliance with customer, regulatory and Actus requirements.
• Monitor trends in data that may lead to rejection or non-compliance. Put preventive programs in place as needed.
• Serve as the primary quality control resource for problem identification, resolution, loss reporting and continuous improvement.
• Produce timely reports on quality related issues including topics discussed in periodic quality assurance and management meetings.
• Keep abreast of matters relating to the production methods, formulations, and application of the Company’s products.
• Remain current with federal regulations as they relate to the Company’s products, GMP’s and analytical requirements, and ensure that analytical requirements are met.
• Develop and maintain the SOPs as related to the Corporate Quality Assurance function.
• Accept a challenging environment where solving problems, continuous learning, and a high technical aptitude is the norm, not the exception.
• Apply process improvement methodology where appropriate.
• Perform special projects and other responsibilities as needed.
• Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
  
  

Position Requirements

• Associate's degree in food science biological science or related field required. Bachelor's degree Preferred.
• 5 years of previous experience operating at a Senior Manager or Director-level Quality Assurance/Operations role in a multi-plant food manufacturing company both at the Plant and Corporate level.
• 5 years of supervisory experience successfully leading team and driving strong team performance.
• Dairy industry and PMO experience is preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment across functions, all levels of management, facilities, regulatory agencies, and customers.
• Ability to understand and analyze issues involving food manufacturing, natural sciences, mathematics (including statistics), technical and legal documents.
• Ability to understand issues in relation to product manufacturing operations and their impact.
• Ability to help develop and/or execute strategic plans to meet departmental and organizational goals while complying with regulatory and customer requirements.
• Experience with application of FDA current Good Manufacturing Practices with a proven track record of business performance improvement and strong operational knowledge of SQF.
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities.
• A team player who wants to contribute to a thriving culture.
• Self-motivated, proactive individual who will constantly seek improvement opportunities.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and ERP systems.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and analytical skills and possess an acute attention to detail.
• Ability to work with a sense of urgency in a fast-paced organization and handle multiple projects to meet deadlines.
• Service and continuous improvement oriented.
• Outstanding customer-centric skills; adept to communicating effectively both written and verbal to a variety of audiences.
• Experience in designing and implementing quality systems.
• Strong operational knowledge of Corporate and Plant Quality Systems.
• Strong knowledge of laboratory testing procedures and computer software applications.
• Travel required.
  
  

Actus Nutrition prides itself on advancement opportunities for our current workforce to promote from within. We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance as well as a healthy 401(k) company match program. The starting annual base salary range for this position is between $120,000—$140,000 USD with initial eligibility consideration for our Discretionary Incentive Plan. Applicable pay within the posted range may vary based on factors including, but not limited to education, skill set and depth of experience. Additional Compensation offered to eligible employees: Mobile Device Reimbursement and Travel Reimbursement.