Position Summary:The person who holds this important position will manage the Quality Assurance and Food Safety functions for our branded, private label, gourmet/specialty, and foodservice products. You will also lead a team of QA supervisors and their staff and must have a background in consumer products with a strong knowledge of SQF, GMPs, labeling laws, HAACP, GFSI certification with Six-Sigma, and Lean Manufacturing expertise.
Essence of this role:Ensure the safety and quality of products throughout the entire production process, from raw materials to finished goods. This involves developing and implementing quality assurance policies, monitoring production processes, conducting audits, and managing a team of quality control personnel. Additionally, the QA Manager will be the primary SQF practitioner and central driver for site SQF requirements.
Essential Duties: - Overseeing the development, implementation, review, and maintenance of the SQF system, including food safety and food quality fundamentals, and updating all SQF documents, manuals, procedures, and forms
- Owning and taking appropriate action to ensure the integrity of the SQF system
- Communicating to relevant personnel all essential information to ensure the effective implementation and maintenance of the SQF system
- Serving as the central driver for all SQF requirements
- Maintaining a library of all SQF documents and requirements
- Managing ongoing audits of SQF Policies and Procedures
- Planning, implementing, and conducting annual audits of each department to ensure SQF compliance
- Maintaining and updating training documentation
- Assisting with the management of HACCP, GMPs, and the new product specification system
- Supporting and assisting with Lean Manufacturing and Six-Sigma
Other Duties:- Formulates and maintains quality assurance objectives for our Retail, Foodservice, and Gourmet/Contract businesses to ensure quality goals are met
- Develops and implements methods and procedures for monitoring work activities to include weight control, moisture, degree of roast, and caffeine analysis, as well as assists in sanitation, overall food quality, and food safety programs
- Facilitates all food safety and quality related audits for the facility
- Manages, plans, coordinates, and directs the quality assurance technicians designed to ensure continuous production and service consistent with established quality standards
- Interfaces with key customers and their quality teams relating to compliance standards
- Supervises the development and analysis of statistical data and specifications to determine present standards and establish proposed quality and reliability expectations
- Utilizes quality data to drive improvements in the operation
- Manages the overall plant sanitation and food safety programs; therefore, a strong knowledge of GMPs, labeling laws, HACCP, GFSI certification requirements, as well as Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing expertise is required
- Processes and assists in sampling for sales / customers
- Manages and assists with customer complaints and/or questions relating to MZB-USA's brands, private label, and foodservice; assists with customer letters and product samples when needed
- Participates in cupping finished product
Qualifications & Requirements:- BS/BA degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or related field required
- Minimum 5-7 years of experience in managing a quality assurance function inside a food and beverage, flavor house, or pharmaceutical manufacturing environment
- SQF, Six-Sigma, and Lean Manufacturing experience required
- PCQI and HACCP Certifications required
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills needed
- Strong leadership skills a must
- Must have excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines, and work well managing many priorities
- Must have Microsoft Office proficiencies, with the ability to create pivot tables (Excel) and PowerPoint presentations
- Able to work independently, as well as maintain collaborative and constructive working relationships with people at all levels of the organization (inside and outside of the company)
- Must also be able to walk long distances in factory, non-climate-controlled setting
- Some travel may be involved
Food Safety Requirements: Must comply with all Federal, State, Corporate, Warehouse, and Food Safety standards, policies, and guidelines (i.e., HACCP, GMP, SQF, FDA, etc.).
