Manager, Quality Assurance

Job Summary

The Quality Assurance Manager leads and manages the Quality Assurance department to ensure the production of high-quality product at the lowest cost while meeting the demands of our customers. This role follows regulatory requirements while adhering to standardized operating procedures (SOPs) and internal policies to ensure compliance of quality & food safety standards as established by the QA department.

Job Responsibilities

• Staffs, trains, develops, and coaches a team of quality assurance employees.
• Ensures accuracy and efficiency of syrup-batching and all Quality Assurance testing and record-keeping.
• Monitors and maintains accountability with proper sanitation and housekeeping procedures.
• Monitors all Coca-Cola, Federal and State regulations and/or communications and implements any necessary changes to remain in compliance with audit practices. Ensures compliance coverage for all Heartland facilities.
• Assists Department Managers with process equipment and product/container troubleshooting or innovation opportunities.
• Collaborates with Production and Sales teams to improve Coca-Cola quality indices.
• Responsible for the overall safety and accountability standards of all employees within the Quality Assurance department.
• Manages Profit and Loss budget, monitors spending controls for the department.
• Manages and maintains all laboratory equipment and executes Good Laboratory Practices within the department.
• Define and monitor Quality, Food Safety and Regulatory programs for effectiveness and performance. Prepare and conduct periodic internal audits and quality reviews of all functional areas.
• Represents Heartland externally to influence industry standards. Acts as company liaison and voting member with Coca-Cola North America (CCNA) and Coca-Cola Bottling Sales and Services (CCBSS) through vendor quality, mock recall and traceability requirements, FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) task force, recall management, escalated consumer complaints and other venues as needed.
• Leads the quality alert and recall prevention/management for Heartland. Oversees the escalated consumer complaints, recycle and environmental planning, and additional company and brand objectives with cross-functional collaboration, development, and implementation of new ideas and solutions to the pre-existing problems.
• Drives continuous improvement and project management practices by remaining current on new technologies, issues and important information that impact our business Lead evaluation and action plans for product integrity across company operations (IMCR-Incident Management and Crisis Resolution, BD&L-Breakage, Damage & Loss, and Sustainability).

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of one year of work experience required, or a minimum of five years of progressive job experience including people, project, or account management with leadership and influencing skills required.
• HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) certification preferred.
• Experience in food and beverage industry preferred.
• Strong computer skills, including SAP, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• ISO (22000, 9000, 14001, etc.) or other quality management system knowledge required.
• Understanding of Lean, Six Sigma practices, including Continuous Improvement, Project Management, Manufacturing Practices (Kaizen, 5S, Good Manufacturing Practices “GMPs,” etc.) and Lean Metrics. Certification preferred.
• Prior knowledge of the Principles of Manufacturing Management and Food Safety preferred.
• Capable of understanding compliance standards and performing periodic internal audits.
• Capable of managing a self-guided work force, utilizing effective leadership and communication skills successfully.
• Capable of successfully fostering the Change Management process.
• Prior knowledge of specific supply chain capabilities, strategies, and interdependencies.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally and coordinate efforts around process improvement.
• Understanding of national, state, and local regulatory requirements for Food Safety, Safety, Environment and Emergency Management.
• Ability to analyze key business drivers (metrics) used to gauge the effectiveness and performance of an internal group or supplier.
• Demonstrated ability with Statistical Process Control practices.