Quality Assurance Manager

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for safeguarding food safety and quality while meeting Company and regulatory standards, and has oversight of the Food Safety and Quality programs. This person also has responsibility for communicating quality results and the transfer of quality and QA knowledge to the workforce.

* Manages the operation of the plant laboratory, including ensuring supplies and equipment are available.
* Manages any / all third-party sanitation companies.
* Ensures product safety, regulatory compliance, and compliance with company standards as stated in the Food Safety Modernization Act.
* Drives Continuous Improvement efforts in product quality/performance and process optimization.
* Provides leadership in coaching, education and training of management staff and plant employees for Quality Assurance; seeks assistance as needed from other resources.
* Develops, facilitates and maintains the HACCP, FDA, and USDA requirements and programs.
* Ensures compliance with all SQF / BRC audit requirements.
* Reviews all product labels used in the facility and ensures adherence to regulatory and Company standards.
* Ensures adherence to appropriate regulations and Company standards for all incoming and outgoing materials.
* Supervises the appropriate chemical, bacteriological, sensory and utilization tests on raw materials and finished goods.
* Communicates quality metric and inspection results to appropriate managers and others in leadership positions including, but not limited to daily, weekly or monthly KPI reporting to Corporate.
* Ensures that proper sanitation procedures are utilized and that adequate sanitation tests are performed; provides 'troubleshooting' efforts in the event of sanitation system failure.
* Develops and maintains documentation of all required tests and activities.
* Assists the Assistant Plant Director in managing local, state, customer/third party, and federal audits and inspections.
* Is responsible for expense management and control, including labor and utilizing Continuous Improvement techniques and a Management Operating Structure (MOS).
* Ensures adherence to all contract packaging quality requirements.
* Cooperates in a cross-functional manner as a change agent with all departments within the Company.
* Leads by example with the Chairman's Mission, Vision, and Values. This includes following Company policies, standards and specifications.
* Takes initiative to move from problem to solution in a safety conscious manner.
* Ensures the entire operation stays in Audit ready condition on a 24x7 manner.
* Engages in the typical responsibilities of a manager requiring planning, evaluating, organizing, integrating and delegating.
* Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• External Candidates: Bachelor's degree in a science-based area of study and a minimum of 10 years QA experience and 5 years of supervisory experience.
• Food Safety Modernization Act knowledge and application.
• SQF Practitioner and/or GFSI certified
• Process Control Qualified Individual
• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Possesses a working knowledge of sanitation systems, clean in place techniques and procedures.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills.
• Possesses understanding of the basics of change management and document control.
• Ability to adapt to changing organizational and operational needs; ability to lead others through change.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Skill in organization and prioritization, and attention to detail.
• Strong team player and leader with the ability to work across multiple functions and disciplines.
• Ability to select, coach, develop, engage and retain a team of employees.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned