Quality Assurance Manager

At Saputo, we bring good to the table by making high-quality products, investing in our people, and supporting communities around the world. As a top 10 global dairy processor, we value contributions that matter and strive to foster an inclusive, growth-driven work environment.

About the role

The Quality Manager is responsible for safeguarding product safety and quality while meeting Company and regulatory standards, and has oversight responsibility for a continuous quality improvement program that includes quality control and quality assurance. This person ensures that the production and distribution of products meets or exceeds all quality standards and communicates quality results and QA knowledge to the workforce.

Manages the operation of the plant laboratory, including ensuring supplies and equipment are available. Ensures product safety, regulatory compliance, and compliance with company standards as stated in the Quality Assurance Manual, Laboratory Manual, and Company directives.

Responsibilities

• Drives Continuous Improvement efforts in product quality/performance and process optimization.
• Provides leadership in coaching, education, and training of management staff and plant employees for Quality Assurance; seeks assistance as needed from other Company training resources.
• Develops, facilitates, and maintains the Hazard Analysis Risk Based Preventative Controls program.
• Provides customer complaint feedback into GITS as required, and views/monitors customer complaints for trends and escalations.
• Implements and maintains all Company quality systems (i.e., SQF 2000).
• Reviews all product labels used in the facility and ensures adherence to regulatory and Company standards.
• Ensures adherence to appropriate regulations and Company standards for raw milk quality.
• Supervises the appropriate chemical, bacteriological, sensory, and utilization tests on raw materials and pasteurized products.
• Communicates quality metrics and inspection results to appropriate managers and leadership positions, including daily, weekly, or monthly KPI reporting to Corporate.
• Ensures that proper sanitation procedures are utilized and that adequate sanitation tests are performed; provides “troubleshooting” efforts in the event of sanitation system failure.
• Develops and maintains documentation of all required quality tests and activities.
• Assists the Plant Manager in managing local, state, customer/third party, and federal audits and inspections.
• Responsible for expense management and control, including labor and “Cost of Quality” utilizing Continuous Improvement techniques and a Management Operating Structure (MOS).
• Ensures adherence to all contract packaging quality requirements.
• Cooperates in a cross-functional manner as a change agent with all departments within the Company.
• Leads by example with the Company Code of Ethics, including following Company policies, standards, and specifications.
• Engages in the typical responsibilities of a manager requiring planning, evaluating, organizing, integrating, and delegating.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Responsible for Non-GMO Activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a science-based area of study and a minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Internal Candidates: A minimum of 5 years hands-on plant experience in the dairy plant or food industry operations, with a minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Possesses a working knowledge of sanitation systems, techniques, and procedures.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills.
• Possesses understanding of the basics of change management.
• Ability to adapt to changing organizational and operational needs; ability to lead others through change.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Skill in organization and prioritization, and attention to detail.
• Strong team player and leader with the ability to work across multiple functions and disciplines.
• Ability to select, coach, develop, engage, and retain a team of employees.

Benefits

• Development opportunities that enhance career fulfillment.
• Meaningful compensation and benefits that help care for families.
• Opportunities to contribute to the community and enhance the lives of others through Saputo products.

Pay

$88,000 - $105,000 (based on qualifications and experience).