Plant Quality Manager

Education/Experience:

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in technical discipline
• 5 years of experience in the food, supplement, or related industry
• SQF, FDA (FSMA), HACCP, and other regulatory guidelines
• PCQI and HACCP certifications
• Statistical Process Control (SPC) methods
• Proven ability to drive change and implement new initiatives
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships across departments

The Quality Assurance Manager is a pivotal member of the site leadership team responsible for ensuring the safety, quality, and compliance of all products manufactured at the facility. This role champions a culture of excellence, driving continuous improvement through strategic planning, team development, and regulatory adherence. The Manager oversees the implementation of robust quality systems across production, packaging, receipt, storage, and product release processes, fostering strong relationships with all departments to prioritize safety, quality, and productivity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Quality System Leadership: Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive quality systems, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal food safety regulations (e.g., FDA, FSMA, HACCP).
• Cultural Development: Foster a quality-centric culture that prioritizes continuous improvement, employee engagement, and risk mitigation.
• Performance Monitoring: Monitor production performance, identify trends, and collaborate with area managers to drive improvements through data-driven analysis and risk assessments.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure adherence to third-party industry standards (AIB, SQF) and lead initiatives for SQF, FSMA, and HACCP compliance, driving continuous improvement through training, auditing, and corrective actions.
• Risk Management: Conduct risk assessments for new ingredients and processes, update the HACCP register accordingly, and manage customer and regulatory audits.
• Problem-Solving: Identify and escalate quality control and food safety issues, offering actionable solutions and driving root cause analysis.
• Industry Knowledge: Stay informed on industry trends and changes impacting food safety, recommending and implementing necessary program adjustments.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Liaise with customers, inspectors, auditors, R&D, and Production teams to ensure quality and compliance, support new product development, and optimize processes.
• Continuous Improvement: Develop and execute a Continuous Improvement plan, setting annual goals for the QA program based on data analysis and performance metrics.
• Employee Development: Promote quality awareness across the facility by developing and delivering plant-wide training, mentoring team members, and fostering a culture of learning.
• Team Leadership: Actively contribute to quality management teams within the organization, provide leadership and guidance to the QA team, and manage performance.