Director of Quality

At PIM Brands, We Make The Brands You Love®. Our portfolio of products—from Welch’s® Fruit Snacks to Sun-Maid® Chocolate Raisins and Sour Jacks® Sour Candies—are enjoyed by millions of consumers every day. We seek talented, results-oriented individuals who want to play a part in building amazing brands and products while working in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-paced office environment. This position will report to our Chief R&D and Production officer.

About the role

Direct and manage the Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), and Laboratory departments to ensure consistent adherence to meet the demands of a busy production environment without any process interruptions and 24/7 compliance with regulatory and organizational standards. Develop and communicate strategic direction for the department in anticipation of evolving FDA/GFSI regulatory requirements. Responsible for maintaining certification standards by updating and maintaining the Food Safety & Quality System through training, auditing, and maintenance of QA-related documents, as well as reassessment and validation of policies and procedures. Ensure all facilities are clean, sanitized, and Food Safety & Quality compliant.

Responsibilities

• Initiates, defines, implements, maintains, and enforces manufacturing procedures, HACCP manual, GMPs, and SOPs to continuously improve manufacturing quality, sanitation, and safety.
• Acts as the SQF Practitioner with responsibility to lead the development and implementation of food safety fundamentals, the food safety plan, and the food quality plan.
• Acts as the Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) with responsibility to oversee or perform preparation of the Food Safety Plan, validation of the preventive controls, records review, reanalysis of the Food Safety Plan, and other activities as appropriate.
• Maintains current customer and regulatory quality system requirements.
• Report food safety and quality issues to Plant management and SQF.
• Follow PIM Brands GMP rules and monitor fellow employees for adherence to GMPs.
• Educate and instruct plant personnel in recommended equipment cleaning, sanitation/safety procedures, and overall maintenance of equipment.
• Assists with plant and production management on better operational procedures to improve overall efficiency and product yields.
• Oversees the development, implementation, review, maintenance, and ensures the integrity of the SQF system.
• Communicates all essential information to ensure the effective implementation and maintenance of the SQF system.
• Responsible for all food safety, QA, QC training, and employee training; reviews, validates, and verifies SQF system annually.
• Arrange GMP training for sanitation, safety, and safe use of chemicals as appropriate.
• Assists production and QC with root cause assessments and corrective action processes to address product deviations.
• Works closely with and provides coverage for QC Manager.
• Assists R&D, QC, and manufacturing with special projects.
• Schedules, coordinates, and leads customer, internal, and governmental audits.
• Conduct management meetings with manufacturing and department heads to review program organizational policies, coordinate functions and operations between departments, and establish responsibilities and procedures for attaining objectives in Quality, Sanitation, and Safety.
• Work with purchasing manager to ensure vendor management program includes quality review for all suppliers, including review of new suppliers.
• Validate effectiveness of SSOPs.
• Carry out all QC/QA directives as they pertain to plant cleaning and sanitation.
• Ability to work additional hours as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in biological science, chemistry, microbiology, food science, or manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Master’s Degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in QA/QC, food laboratory, and/or food and beverage production required.
• Experience in the implementation of SQF Level 2 or 3 Program.
• HACCP and SQF Certified.
• Food industry experience required.
• Computer proficiency and skills in Excel, Word, Microsoft Office, and other software programs.
• Must possess excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organization skills.
• Willing to be trained.
• Ability to read, speak, and write English is essential; fluent in Spanish and/or English preferred.

Worksite

The PIM Brands Manufacturing Site is located in Somerset, New Jersey and is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This position requires working onsite.

Physical Demands

• Standing, walking, sitting, bending, reaching, kneeling, and crouching.
• Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, and controls.
• Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated and considered to enable an individual to perform the essential job functions.

Work Environment

Job will generally be performed in the manufacturing plant. When on the plant floor, it is representative of a large, busy manufacturing operation: noisy, active, objects on the floor, constant movement, and traffic flow of motorized equipment. Hair net, beard net, assigned work uniform, protective eye wear, and gloves are among the GMP-required apparel that must be worn, if indicated, on the plant floor.

Benefits

• Total compensation package including bonus, 401(k) plan match, and other incentives (*based on eligibility and position).
• Comprehensive benefits package effective day 1, including medical, dental, vision, disability, and insurance plans.
• Diverse range of benefit choices tailored to support optimal decisions for yourself, your loved ones, and your preferred way of life.
• Personal time off, vacation time, floating days, and observed holidays.
• Business casual dress.
• Entrepreneurial and innovative culture offering the opportunity for internal career advancement.

About PIM Brands

• #10 Candy Company in North America.
• #26 Global Candy Company.
• Makers of Welch’s - #1 Fruit Snack in the U.S.
• 2024 Advocate of the Year Award.
• Recognized by NJBIA - State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility and in Research/Development.
• 2024 Recognized by New Jersey Business Magazine.
• 2024 Top 100 Privately Owned Company in the Metro NYC Market.
• Top 50 Employer in New Jersey.