Quality Assurance Manager

The QA Manager is responsible for all quality assurance related activities at the plant level, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Sanitation Practices (GSP), quality of conformity, and quality of services. Ensuring compliance with both company policies & regulatory requirements. This role reports to the Manager of Corporate QA with functional reporting to the Plant Manager.

• Develop and implement a Plant Quality Plan in combination with Plant Manager. The plan should include defined role of the quality function within the facility and communication of that role to all facility associates to assure continuous improvement.
• Serve as the facility SQF Practitioner. Will be responsible for maintaining SQF Level 3 certification and managing continuous improvement programs.
• Review & audit manufacturing procedures to ensure that all operations are in compliance with established practices and procedures. Bringing any nonconformances to the attention of the appropriate individuals and assure that corrective actions are taken quickly & effectively.
• Ensure Federal and State regulatory requirements and will be responsible for ensuring that the facility is in compliance. Responsible for representing the facility during inspections and audits with customers and regulatory agencies.
• Maintain, update, and enforce all Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines through coordination with Plant Management and Corporate Quality Assurance.
• Establish & validate all sanitation practices and perform periodic audits to assure compliance.
• Review & maintain all product specifications. Will establish systems for controlling and documenting release, holds and disposition of all products manufactured at the facility.
• Provide overall leadership for the facility laboratory. Will work closely with the Laboratory Associates and Lab Supervisor to assure that all personnel are appropriately trained and supervised.
• Work with Production Associates to establish procedures for quality assessments of incoming goods and raw materials. Work with Purchasing personnel to establish and enforce quality standards and specifications on such goods with vendors.
• Establish Quality Department budget with support documentation. Will be required to periodically analyze and report on budget status for Quality Department.
• Corporate QA Responsibilities include: implementing Product Excellence programs.
• Design & implement quality programs as required by Corporate Quality. Such programs include Hold Policy, Recall Policy, Pathogen Testing Program, Customer Complaint Resolution Program, HACCP Program.

Minimum Requirements:

• Associate’s degree and 10 years of relevant experience -OR- Bachelor’s degree (Preferably Food, Dairy, or Natural Sciences) and 7 years of related experience.
• Food manufacturing experience is required. Dairy manufacturing experience is preferred.
• 5 years managing Quality Programs including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Sanitation Practices (GSP), quality of conformity, and quality of services & regulatory compliance.
• ISO Quality Management Systems, HACCP, and statistical process control is desired.
• Previous supervisory experience is required and strong personal computer skills are preferred.