Quality Control Manager

About the Role

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery is seeking a Quality Control Manager to lead quality and food safety programs in a dairy manufacturing environment. This role offers the opportunity to impact product quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader passionate about solving problems, developing teams, and driving results.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop Quality Control and laboratory team members.
• Create a positive, team-oriented environment prioritizing accountability, collaboration, food safety, and quality.
• Coordinate daily staffing, laboratory testing, inspections, and quality control activities.
• Oversee sampling, inspection, testing, and monitoring of raw materials, packaging, in-process products, and finished goods.
• Maintain and improve food safety and quality programs, including HACCP, Preventive Controls, environmental monitoring, allergen controls, sanitation verification, and GMPs.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, FSMA, USDA, Wisconsin regulatory, SQF/GFSI, customer, and company requirements.
• Manage product holds, releases, nonconforming products, customer complaints, and quality investigations.
• Coordinate and lead regulatory, customer, certification, and third-party audits.
• Conduct internal audits, identify compliance opportunities, and ensure corrective actions are completed.
• Maintain accurate quality documentation, procedures, product specifications, and records.
• Analyze quality data to identify risks, recurring issues, and improvement opportunities.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective/preventive actions (CAPAs).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve quality concerns and improve processes.
• Communicate quality performance, risks, and recommended actions to leadership.
• Support initiatives to strengthen food safety, improve product consistency, reduce waste, and enhance operational performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in quality and food safety within food and/or dairy manufacturing.
• PCQI and HACCP certifications required.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations, GMPs, sanitation, Preventive Controls, laboratory testing, and quality management systems.
• Experience leading, coaching, or developing employees.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis, risk assessment, and corrective action management.
• Excellent communication, organization, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to analyze quality data, identify trends, and make informed decisions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality documentation/management systems.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This role involves working throughout the dairy manufacturing facility, including production, laboratory, warehouse, and office areas. The environment may include varying temperatures, noise, wet conditions, and cleaning chemicals. Physical requirements include:

• Standing and walking for extended periods.
• Bending, twisting, stooping, reaching, and climbing stairs.
• Operating computers, laboratory equipment, and job-related tools.
• Lifting, carrying, and moving up to 50 pounds.
• Meeting visual acuity and color perception requirements.

Benefits

• Affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage (eligible after 30 days).
• Health Savings Account (HSA), accident, and critical illness coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and additional free resources.
• 401k match, paid time off, and holiday pay.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Career growth and advancement opportunities.

Why Join Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery

At Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, quality goes beyond meeting standards—it’s about pride in craftsmanship, supporting teammates, and delivering trusted products. As Quality Control Manager, you’ll:

• Impact food safety, product quality, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and lead a team while fostering accountability and collaboration.
• Work with cross-functional teams to produce quality products.
• Take ownership of programs supporting customers and business success.

About Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery values its team members as family, fostering a culture that has led to long-term careers spanning decades. Our Menomonie, Wisconsin facility produces award-winning artisan cheeses, including Red Rind Muenster, Wisconsin Brick, and Hot Pepper Jack. Committed to Team, Craft & Community since 1910, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Starting Salary: $80,000 annually. Final offer based on candidate’s background and experience. Employment contingent on background check and drug/alcohol screening.