Quality Assurance Manager

About the role

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. This position will manage all Plant Quality Assurance (QA) activities to ensure compliance with Upstate Niagara Cooperative Inc. and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

Primary areas of responsibility include Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Sanitation Practices (GSP), product conformity, and service quality. The Quality Assurance Manager is part of the Plant’s management team, representing Corporate QA at the Plant level and working to continuously improve product and process quality.

• Develop and Implement a Plant Quality Plan
• Serve as Facility SQF Practitioner
• Review and Audit Manufacturing Procedures
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance
• Maintain and Enforce GMP Guidelines
• Oversee Sanitation Practices
• Manage Product Specifications and Documentation
• Provide Leadership for the Laboratory
• Collaborate on Incoming Goods and Raw Materials Assessments
• Develop and Monitor Quality Department Budget
• Establish Training Programs

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Food, Dairy, or Natural Sciences from a four-year college or university; OR Equivalent combination of education (minimum AAS) and relevant experience
• Five to seven years of related experience and/or training in the Food and Beverage industry
• Active involvement in Quality Programs is required
• Previous supervisory experience is required
• Familiarity with ISO Quality Management Systems, HACCP, and statistical process control is preferred

Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and government regulations
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals
• Strong presentation skills and ability to respond to questions from managers, clients, and customers
• Strong personal computer skills

Competencies

• Regulatory and Compliance Knowledge: Familiarity with GMP, GSP, SQF (Level 3), HACCP, and related federal/state regulations
• Quality Systems Management: Ability to design, implement, and maintain quality assurance programs
• Leadership and Team Management: Proven ability to lead QA teams, train staff, coordinate efforts with Plant Management, and communicate effectively at all levels
• Analytical and Problem-Solving: Skilled in reviewing/auditing procedures, identifying nonconformances, and implementing corrective actions

Working Conditions

Frequently required to speak and be able to perceive and understand spoken instructions, alarms, and other important sounds in the workplace. Occasionally required to stand, reach with hands/arms, and climb or balance. Must regularly lift/move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally up to 55 pounds. Requires close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Regularly exposed to wet/humid conditions. Occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and toxic/caustic chemicals. Moderate noise level in the work environment.

Pay

$120,000-$140,000 per year. The salary range listed for this position represents the good faith and reasonable minimum and maximum pay for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, training, knowledge, education, and overall qualifications.