Plant Quality Manager (Food & Beverage Manufacturing)

About the role

BRF is looking for a Plant Quality Manager who is responsible for managing all QA-related activities at their assigned facility to ensure employee health & safety and guarantee food safety and quality. As a key member of the leadership team, this role will work alongside operational and functional leaders to develop and implement the strategic vision for the factory.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the manufacturing facility properly executes procedures for food safety and regulatory compliance (FSMA, HACCP, GMP, Pest Control, Allergen and Chemical Control, LACF, environmental monitoring, etc.). Ensure all processes are documented and standardized.
• Coordinate and manage all plant inspections, customer quality audits, and external quality audits (FDA, CDPH, SQF, Kosher, etc.) with the Corporate Quality Manager. Communicate results and corrective action plans to senior leadership.
• Provide aseptic oversight, guidance, and identify events or practices that impact aseptic quality. Oversee resolution to assure containment and risk mitigation for consumers, product, and the environment.
• Maintain the sterilization qualification and requalification program for aseptic products.
• Aid in equipment aseptic challenges, validations, and commissioning.
• Maintain aseptic pre-requisite programs including CIP, cleaning, and sanitization in cooperation with the sanitation team. Support regulatory agency (state and federal), internal, and corporate inspections.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive documentation of all aseptic processes, including environmental monitoring results, training records, and verification of cleaning.
• Work closely with Corporate Quality and R&D to develop, implement, and maintain quality systems supporting new product development and commercialization for aseptic manufacturing.
• Oversee general microbial testing and qualification activities (raw material, in-process, product, shelf-life testing, and critical utilities monitoring).
• Conduct internal audits to assess compliance and recommend system improvements and staff training.
• Identify areas for process improvement and implement corrective actions to enhance product quality and operational efficiency. Analyze production data, identify trends, and implement preventive measures to minimize defects and non-conformities.
• Lead root cause and corrective action (RCCA) problem-solving for plant quality issues with Quality Supervisors. Responsible for implementation of preventative and corrective actions.
• Serve as the main point of contact for customer complaints.
• Oversee investigations associated with deviations from filed processes and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Ensure all deviation reports and product dispositions comply with Process Authority recommendations.
• Provide leadership in coaching, education, and development of plant quality staff. Assign tasks, monitor performance, and foster a culture of continuous improvement within the quality team. Responsible for performance management and KPI deliverables.
• Ensure all plant personnel are trained in BRF and regulatory quality policies and requirements.
• Work with employees across multiple departments and sites to assess areas for continuous improvement in aseptic processes and employee compliance with food safety programs.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging issues in food safety and quality to keep BRF at the forefront of change.
• Lead QA team support for Plant Sanitation activities, including inspections and data analysis.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Microbiology, or a related discipline.
• Four (4+) years of Food Industry Experience.
• PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) and HACCP Certification required.
• Two (2+) years of experience with Aseptic Processing of Low-Acid Canned Foods (LACF) in hermetically sealed containers or retort.
• Two (2+) years of experience with HACCP, SQF, GFSI, FDA, and/or USDA audits.
• Three (3+) years of people management experience.

Pay

$135,000.00 – $155,000.00 USD