Manager, Quality Assurance

Position Summary

The Quality Assurance Manager reports to the Plant Manager and is based out of our Seabrook, New Jersey location. This individual will be responsible for managing and executing the adherence to the quality of the product, product safety, and production-related issues, including the oversight of others involved in these operations.

About the Role

Supervises and coordinates the activities of assigned staff engaged in quality and sanitation. Manages the sanitation department, supporting their role and facilitating with the production and warehouse departments to maintain cleanliness throughout the plant. Manages customer audits, third-party audits, FDA audits, USDA audits, organic audits, and SQF audits with a focus on food safety, quality, and pest control programs. Acts as the contact for the plant as it relates to audit corrective actions. Works in accordance with the Corporate QA manager on consumer complaints. Reviews and performs trend analysis to determine the root cause for each consumer complaint. Determines when to place the product on hold and when to disposition the product from hold. Acts as the point person for product recalls. Ensures financial performance in the department including labor and materials budget. Monitors and ensures the quality of the product produced from the beginning of the process to the end. Ensures the completion of employee training, including but not limited to the validation and verification of all other SQF-related programs. Oversees any sanitation-related procedures, while providing supervision to the sanitation employees. This role will be required to taste test products as needed, up to a couple of ounces per test [VH1]. Performs other related duties as required and assigned. Supervises four direct reports and eight indirect reports.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operations of the department including following the basic production scheduling, work assignments, employee supervision, counseling, employee safety, and administration of company policies and procedures.
• Prepare written performance evaluations and counsel employees as needed.
• Resolve any employee issues and document disciplinary actions and performance recognition on all employees in their area.
• Interface and effectively work cross-functionally with other individuals and departments in the organization including but not limited to Maintenance, Production, Supply Chain, Warehouse, and Finance.
• Ensure employees comply with established standards and counsels and disciplines as appropriate. Reinforce that GMP, HACCP, Food Safety, Food Security, Safety Rules, Work Rules, and company policies and procedures are followed.
• Oversee document review of all Food Safety & Quality reports.
• Manage customer audits, third-party audits, FDA audits, USDA audits, Organic audits, and SQF audits with a focus on Food Safety, Quality, and pest control programs. Act as the contact for the plant as it relates to audit corrective actions.
• Work in accordance with the Corporate QA manager on consumer complaints. Review and perform trend analysis to determine the root cause for each consumer complaint. Determine when to place the product on hold and when to disposition the product from hold. Act as the point person for product recalls.
• Ensure financial performance in the department including labor and materials budget.
• Maintain a safe, secure, and legal work environment; develop personal growth opportunities.
• Communicate job expectations; plan, monitor, and assess job results; coach, and counsel employees; develop, coordinate, and enforce systems, procedures, and productivity standards.
• Establish strategic goals; identify and evaluate trends; choose a course of action; define objectives; evaluate outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) from a four-year college or university; or two or more years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5-8 years experience in QA/Food with experience in a manufacturing environment. Experience with managing direct reports is required.
• Must have a technical understanding of food safety including manufacturing, quality, HACCP, and GMP operations. Must have SQF, HACCP, and PCQI certifications.
• Knowledge of microbiology and formulation of products is preferred.
• Must have a strong ability to apply basic statistical concepts to problem solving and root cause analysis, and the ability to manipulate data in spreadsheets.
• Good written and verbal communication skills are a requirement. Must possess sufficient analytical skills to use laboratory equipment.
• Excellent organization and time management skills because this is a high-paced high-issue job. Must be detail-oriented and have the ability to multi-task.
• Proven organizational skills. Ability to direct, coach, and train others. Consultative, influential, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Frequent: Ability to talk and hear; ability to stand, walk, climb stairs, stoop, bend, and/or crouch; push/pull; lift up to 50 pounds; use of hands and fingers to operate machinery/equipment and all manual and electronic equipment in the area of responsibility.
• Occasional: Squatting, kneeling, ability to reach above and at shoulder height. Ability to wear a dust mask, and perform Confined Entry using LOTO program. Exposure to toxic and corrosive chemicals.
• VISION: Ability to use close and distance vision, as well as color and peripheral vision with or without correction. Must be able to visually detect obstacles and potential dangers in a fast-paced production environment involving high-speed equipment and powered industrial lift equipment.
• HEARING: Ability to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction. Exposure to noise levels from pumps, machinery, forklift traffic, bottle lines, and exhaust fans.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the food/beverage industry.
• Professional certifications in quality (e.g., ASQ) are preferred.
• Experience managing customer, USDA, FDA, Organic and SQF audits.
• Experience in report writing.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Lassonde Pappas & Co., Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.