Job Summary:

Under the guidance and direction of the Director of Quality Assurance, the Quality Manager will implement Food Safety & Quality Assurance programs to ensure compliance of products and processes to corporate and regulatory requirements. The incumbent will also be responsible for overseeing HACCP, SQF, FDA, USDA and FMSA programs, Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures, Pest Control, Good Manufacturing Practices, Approved Supplier Program, Foreign Material Control, Plant Sanitation, Chemical Control, Product Quality Assurance, FSQA Customer Complaints, Food Defense & Security

Essential Functions:

• Develop, implement, manage, integrate, and implement standardized food safety policies and procedures to stay compliant with regulatory requirements. (USDA, FDA, SQF, FMSA, HACCP)
  Serve as the primary quality control resource for problem identification, resolution, loss reporting and continuous improvement.
• Direct and manage quality control personnel on a day-to-day basis (QC Technicians).
• Represent the company in discussions with customers, suppliers, auditors, and regulatory agencies of the county, state and federal government (USDA, FDA, Health Dept., etc.).
• Establish and implement metrics (process capability, control charts, measurement quality) for monitoring system effectiveness and to enable managers to make sound product quality decisions.
• Perform root-cause analysis and other problem solving activities to identify effective corrective actions and process improvements.
• Maintain compliance with all Local, State and Federal regulatory requirements.
• Direct and maintain direction and goals for company product quality, food safety, HACCCP, GMP’s, SOP’S, SSOP’S, laboratory, facility and equipment sanitation standards and pest control.
• Directs the design and implementation of quality related training for QA/QC and plant personnel in performing required tests, decision-making skills, statistical process control and GMP and housekeeping standards. Partner with Production Manager to design effective training programs to support best practices manufacturing processes.
• Direct and coordinate the overall quality specifications and standards for raw materials, processes and finished goods.
• Report to Senior management on quality issues, trends and losses.
• Work closely with Purchasing department to review suppliers and establish supplier quality requirements.
• Participate in internal and external quality audits.
• Interface with supplier and customer quality representatives concerning problems with quality control and assure that effective corrective action is implemented.
• Leverage continuous improvement tools (root cause, corrective action, actionable metrics, training) to identify and successfully drive improvements in areas of waste reduction, product consistency, consumer complaints, and operational product issues.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience and Background:

• BS/BA from a four-year accredited college or university in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology or related Science required.
• SQF certification and experience required.
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• Experience in designing and implementing quality systems.
• 5 years’ experience in QA management.
• 5 years’ experience in a USDA/FDA regulated industry.
• Diverse knowledge of inspection and control methods, techniques and documentation.
• Experience in a thermal process food manufacturing environment.
• Strong computer skills including quality control applications, word processing, spreadsheets and databases.
• Thorough understanding of general safety requirements, GMP’s and industry best practices.
• FSMA, USDA, FDA, SQF implementation and compliance.
• Understanding of Local, State, Federal regulatory standards.

Physical Requirements:

The majority of the job function is performed in an office setting requiring normal safety precautions, but the job will also require regular visits the production floor and in the warehouse.