ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: The Senior Quality Manager oversees all quality assurance, food safety, and laboratory operations within the facility. The Quality Manager leads the Quality and Lab teams, manages quality systems, responds to incidents, and drives continuous improvement across the plant.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:- Fostering company policy and regulatory compliance with in-plant food safety and product quality checks on product from production to outbound shipment of goods
- Ensure quality staff compliance required for the Food Safety Management System, HACCP, Pest Control, Sanitation, Environmental Monitoring, Internal/External Audits, Operational quality checks, product inspection, and identifying non-conforming product
- Ensure that all Quality systems are relevant and applicable to current operational practices by presenting recommendations for document revision as needed and communicating any changes to the QA programs through staff training, so that changes and updates are fully implemented and monitored.
- Advancing the Food Safety and Quality culture within the company
- Lead the work of the Food Safety Team
- Work with the Operations team and the Senior QA-Reg Compliance Manager in implementing new initiatives
- Ensure relevant training and education of the QA/Ops team and perform Quality training throughout the company in coordination with the HR training team
- Ensure that program updates and company initiatives are properly implemented, communicated, and monitored
- Gather necessary QA data and report information as necessary to Ops Management, Senior QA-Reg Compliance Manager, and the Food Safety Team.
- Provide technical guidance to the Production Process Control Technicians
- Manage standard work for QA Plant Staff to deliver clear expectations and drive accountability
- Attend daily and weekly Operations meetings
- Troubleshoot QA issues and concerns,
- Perform daily walkthroughs of the Facility
- Follow through on any non-conformances identified in processing and communicate Quality concerns to Operations team.
- They shall also perform activities necessary for the effective management and enforcement of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's) while maintaining all pertinent records associated with monitoring Quality performance and standards.
- Utilize fishbone (cause & effect) diagrams, 5 Why analysis to identify causes and appropriate (standard work) OPL (one-point lesson), MOP (manufacturing operating procedure), SOP (product standard operating procedure) to define the procedure and corresponding audits to ensure procedure is being followed and preventative action is sustained.
- Identify the use of basic tools such as check sheets, histograms, control (SPC) charts, and pareto charts to drive data-based decisions when participating in process and continuous improvement initiatives
- Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) that are Quality Assurance specific, tracking KPI (key performance indicators) performance, and working with broader peer group to develop improvement initiatives that will improve QA processes and results.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL/SKILLS NEEDED:- Lead alongside Ops Leadership in ensuring the plant is audit-ready and provide follow up to any corrective actions.
- Provide direction, goals, oversight, and drive employee engagement through coaching, effective training, feedback, and performance reviews of the QC Plant Staff
- QA/QC experience working in a production environment.
- Ability to hire, train, supervise, evaluate, and terminate Quality Supervisors and/or Inspectors staff as needed.
- Detail oriented with the ability to proof with a very high degree of accuracy, efficiency, and precision.
- Excellent written communication skills including compiling and maintaining data records in the system ERP and manual records as appropriate.
- Excellent verbal communication skills, both intradepartmental and interdepartmentally.
- Excellent teamwork skills and ability to be equally comfortable in office and production environments.
- Working knowledge of "Good Manufacturing Practices", HACCP, and Audit Certifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE- Bachelor's Degree in science (Food Safety, Microbiology, Biology, or related field preferred) and minimum five years related management experience.
- Working knowledge of "Good Manufacturing Practices", HACCP, and Audit Certifications
- Experience with GFSI schemes (SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000). SQF Practitioner strongly preferred
- Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work cross-functionally and influence without authority.
- Proficiency with data analysis, ERP Systems, QMS software, and Microsoft Office.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:- Lifting up to 50 lbs. as single person lift
- Climbing (ladders, stairs, etc.)
- Bending and stooping
- Extended periods of being on your feet
- Standard manufacturing environment
- Standard office environment
- Exposure to food allergens such as, but not limited to, milk eggs, tree nuts, wheat, and soybeans will occur.
