Quality Manager (Food Manufacturing)

About the role

Dessert Holdings is the leading premium dessert company in the world. We craft artisanal, scratch-made desserts at scale, combining culinary innovation with the finest real ingredients. With a rich heritage spanning seven distinctive brands, we bring unmatched expertise and tailored solutions to our Retail and Foodservice partners. The QA Manager will be based in Newburyport, MA and will provide leadership to ensure customer, company, and regulatory requirements are met through compliance with Quality Management Systems including SQF, HACCP, and GMP to ensure safety and quality of employees and products.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for developing quality assurance policies for facility wide quality management programs as well as in organization standardization projects.
• Provide leadership and ensure the customer, company, and regulatory requirements are met in all aspects of the QA operations.
• Manage QA compliance staff activities, schedule, and performance (includes staff that coordinates Environmental Programs).
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of SOPs, forms, Document control, Process control, QMS, and training systems.
• Provide leadership and participate in all reviews of QA, management and product development.
• Provide leadership and technical support for any new product development to ensure procedures are effective to optimize quality and shelf life.
• Ongoing support of QA procedures and CI initiatives throughout the facility.
• Coach, train, mentor, and support QA team members.
• Investigate and follow-up on consumer and customer complaints.
• Provide technical support to vendor compliance, sanitation, and operational issues.
• Ensure that all products for release meet all testing and manufacturing specifications and are accurately labeled, identified, and counted.
• Manages traceability and recall functions.
• Propose preventive measures and promote programs to improve the Quality Management System to the executive committee.
• Plan and verify the execution of Audits, analyzing the results and deficiencies found.
• Provide SPC & data support for all operations when and where needed.
• Supports in promoting Food safety quality culture across all teams.
• Participates and provides support in all organizational standardization activities.
• Ensures that facilities are maintained, and all duties are performed in compliance with all applicable food safety standards and good manufacturing practices.
• Understands the management of Quality Systems and is familiar with SQF, HACCP, and GMP practices which help ensure the safety within the workplace and the production of a safe and quality product(s).
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in food science, microbiology, biochemistry or related field. Advanced education and degree preferred.
• At least five years' experience managing a Quality team and implementing QA strategies.
• Experience with auditing, HACCP, GFSI, AIB, SPC and other quality measuring programs.
• Strong knowledge of quality assurance methodologies and strategies with a sound understanding of product formulation controls and documentation.
• Previous experience in benchmarking, integrating, and implementing best practices.
• Superior verbal and written skills for clearly delegating tasks to team members and for effectively communicating results to management.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Leads with minimal to no supervision and demonstrates strong leadership skills.
• Ability to take initiative; manage tight deadlines.
• Computer proficiency.
• Must be able to successfully complete PCQI Certification.
• Preferred Bilingual preferred (English and Spanish).
• 5+ years of food manufacturing environment.
• Required Licenses/Certifications: PCQI and SQF Practitioner preferred.

Benefits

• Choice of comprehensive medical plans
• Dental and vision insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Retirement contribution to all eligible employees

Pay

The typical hiring range for this role is $130,000 to $150,000 annually and is based on several factors such as education, work experience, skills, certifications, location, etc.