Quality Manager

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Log and investigate all customer complaints, inquiries, and internal hold events.
• Take proactive steps to minimize business impact including quarantining product, investigating, reporting root cause, corrective action, and preventive action.
• Maintain plant audit readiness by participating in internal GMP inspections, SQF annual internal audits, trending data, driving internal improvement, and meeting regularly with key stakeholders.
• Responsible for leading regulatory inspections, third party audits (SQF and Organic), customer audits and kosher inspections with the support of the QA Director.
• Manage the plant’s HACCP plan in accordance with FDA Regulations and the SQF code with the direction and support of the QA Director.
• This includes annual review or whenever there are significant events, complaints, or plant changes.
• Production records are reviewed and approved prior to final release and regular direct observations are performed of CCP checks as further verification.
• Manage key programs such as CAPA and Hold/Release to support audit readiness and quality improvement.
• Manage the plant’s databases. Includes final release of raw materials, intermediate products and finished products for further processing or customer shipment.
• Non-conforming product must be managed through the same system to ensure appropriate quarantine pending a disposition decision.
• Provide support, guidance, training, and management of the Laboratory Lead Technician to ensure efficient operation of the QC Laboratory.
• Manage and liaise with internal and support departments to ensure quality, food safety, and appropriate sampling of products from receiving through to finished products.
• Support business efforts on continuous improvement by providing quality, food safety and laboratory support on improvement projects with the support of the QA Director and Laboratory Technicians.
• Manage key quality prerequisite and preventative control programs in conjunction with owners (Quality, Production, Supply Chain, Purchasing and Maintenance) to comply with FDA regulations and the SQF Code.
• (i.e. - Pest Control, Traceability (including mock recalls), Hold & Release, Sanitation, EMP, GMP/Personnel Practices, GLP, PM, Foreign Material Control, Organic Program, Water Supply, Food Defense, Training, Calibration, Supplier QA/FSMA, Receiving/Shipping Practices, Allergen Control and Site Operation).
• Participate in regular meetings and provide input on key quality metrics and trends to further improve quality and food safety.
• Sustain support customer service in maintaining customer document requests either directly or through systems.
• Develop and foster trusting relationships with key personnel including Production, R&D, Purchasing and Supply Chain.

SKILLS, TRAITS, & COMPETENCIES

• Critical thinking and forward planning abilities
• Clear and precise oral and written communication
• A high sense of urgency, able to drive projects and tasks to completion
• Collaborative; thrives in a team environment
• Proficient in MS suite programs
• Ability to lead, coach, and develop a team
• Calm under pressure

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s degree in food science, quality, or other related field with 3 years of experience in Quality; or an Associates degree with a minimum of 5 years of experience in Food Safety or Quality Assurance.
• SQF Practitioner required.
• Familiarity with SQF edition 9 preferred.
• PCQI certified required.
• HACCP trained
• Knowledge of NOP Organic regulations required

BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Drug Insurance effective on the first of the month following start date
• Health and Wellness Incentives
• 10 Days of Vacation
• 9 Paid Company Holidays
• 5 Personal Days
• 401(k)
• Health Savings Account (H.S.A.)
• Long-Term and Short-Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)