Quality Assurance Manager at SCUSA Saputo Cheese USA Inc.

Posted in Other about 2 hours ago.

Location: Tulare, California





Job Description:

At Saputo, we bring good to the table by making high-quality products, investing in our people, and supporting communities around the world . As a top 10 global dairy processor, we value contributions that matter and strive to foster an inclusive, growth-driven work environment. Ready to bring your best?



Job Summary:



The Cheese Quality Manager is responsible for safeguarding product safety and quality while meeting Company and regulatory standards, has oversight responsibility for a continuous quality improvement program that includes quality control and quality assurance. This person is responsible for managing the Plant Food Safety and Quality Assurance Department to provide safe, high-quality products that meet customer expectations. This role has the overall accountability of ensuring the food safety system is properly written, validated, documented and implemented as directed to ensure USDA and FDA regulatory compliance. This person also has responsibility for communicating quality results and the transfer of quality and QA knowledge to the workforce. The Quality Assurance Manager reports to the QA Manager, with dotted line to the Regional QA Manager.



Core Responsibilities:



Manages HACCP programs and leads Food Safety Team.


  • Verifies that all Food Safety, Quality Assurance and Regulatory programs are functioning as designed, being followed and correctly documented.

  • Acts as internal consultant, leads team to quickly and thoroughly investigate a product/process failure, determines the root cause and takes prompt corrective actions, while minimizing product exposure and production down time.

  • Reviews, updates, and implements food safety and quality programs and procedures as directed.

  • Executes preparation of internal audit, as well 3rd party audits, CDFA inspection, and USDA food safety system assessments, and takes appropriate corrective action when any findings are generated.

  • Works with Quality Assurance staff and Operations to drive continuous improvement of product quality through developing and implementing food safety and quality plans, process controls, attention to process and specifications, food safety and quality training to prevents HACCP, SSOP and process or product failures

  • Applies continuous improvement for the overall design of the plants' sanitation program, including developing a written inspection program, sanitation performance tracking, training of applicable management and production personnel and meeting regularly with the management to discuss sanitation findings.

  • Ensures that operational and pre-operational sanitation are acceptable, develops and implements necessary verification activities including micro sampling to verify the effectiveness of sanitation activities, and acts in response to issues of micro and Shelf-Life data to drive continuous improvement by auditing and scrutinizing the level of equipment cleanliness prior to the start of operations.

  • Oversees and assist QA staff to manage programs such as Pest Controls, Customer Complaints, Product Incident, Environmental Sampling, plant calibration program, ensuring that programs meet Regulatory and Corporate standards.

  • Review corrective actions and follow-up as necessary and conducts GMP and Sanitation audits.

  • Participates in local, state, customer, third party, and federal audits and inspections.

  • Ensures the Saputo Nutritional Database System for the facility is maintained.

  • Creates, maintains, and conducts annual review of SQF Quality Plan, including complete reassessments of SQF Quality Plan if there is addition or removal of processing steps, new product with processing steps not in currently included in Quality Analysis.

  • Oversees the development, implementation, review and maintenance of the SQF System, including food safety fundamentals, the food safety plan, and the food quality plan as outlined in SQF codes and takes appropriate action to maintain the integrity of the SQF System.

  • Works with Plant Training Coordinator to plan and coordinate training to relevant personnel all information essential to ensure the Food Safety Initiatives are followed. Seeks assistance as needed from other Saputo resources for training. Manage quality metric and inspections and communicate results to Management and others in leadership positions including, but not limited to daily, weekly or monthly KPI reporting to Headquarters and Corporate representatives.




Additional Responsibilities:



  • Prepare and present oral and written presentations.

  • Supports Plant Maintenance, Engineering and Contractors with quality support and oversight during startups, test runs or special projects.

  • Provides expertise on the appropriate tests for chemical, bacteriological, sensory organoleptic evaluation on raw materials, ingredients, and finished goods.

  • Provides Leadership coaching, education, and training in Quality Assurance and Food Safety training for management staff, QA Staff, and applicable Plant employees. Seeks assistance as needed from other Saputo training resources.

  • Supervise and responsible for managing performance plan and reviews, work schedules and assignments of QA Leadership roles.

  • Manage department direct and indirect labor, and purchases of supplies and equipment, utilizing expense management and control of labor and "Cost of Quality" to meet or exceed department budget.

  • Cooperates in a cross-functional manner as a change agent with all departments within the Company.

  • Continuously drives the facility's culture toward a higher level of food safety and general health safety. Challenge status quo safety behaviors, engage in Safety initiatives and ensure safety related training is attended by all employees.

  • Leads by example with the Saputo Code of Ethics and actively applies the Saputo Values. This includes following Company policies, standards and specifications.

  • Engages in the typical responsibilities of a manager, requiring planning, evaluating, training, organizing, integrating and delegating.

  • Performs other duties as assigned.




Job Requirements:



  • Bachelor's degree in a science-based area of study and a minimum of 3-years of supervisory level experience, leading others.

  • Internal Candidates: A minimum of 5 years hands-on plant experience in the dairy plant or food industry operations, with a minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience.

  • Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices.

  • Possesses a working knowledge of sanitation systems, techniques and procedures.

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

  • Excellent verbal/written communication skills.

  • Possesses understanding of the basics of change management.

  • Ability to adapt to changing organizational and operational needs; ability to lead others through change.

  • Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

  • Skill in organization and prioritization, and attention to detail.

  • Strong team player and leader with the ability to work across multiple functions and disciplines.

  • Ability to select, coach, develop, engage and retain a team of employees.



Salary Range :


$102,170 -$153,260


In the USA, Saputo ranks among the top three cheese producers and is one of the top producers of extended shelf-life and cultured dairy products, with a portfolio of well-loved brands such as Stella, Frigo Cheese, Montchevre, Stella, and Treasure Cave. We also boast a strong foodservice presence, partnering with reputable chain restaurants and broadline distributors.


Whether your expertise lies in manufacturing, operations, supply chain, sales, quality assurance, or in any other function, your role is integral to our success. You will make contributions that matter, all while working alongside colleagues who genuinely care about your success and who will roll up their sleeves to help.


Saputo Cheese USA Inc. and Saputo Dairy Foods USA, LLC endeavors to make CareersUSA.Saputo.com accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Human Resources at 214-863-2300 or email us.recruitingsupport@saputo.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.


Saputo Cheese USA Inc. and Saputo Dairy Foods USA, LLC are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you'd like more information on your EEO rights under law, please visit www.EEOC.gov.


To review the Saputo Cheese USA Inc. and Saputo Dairy Foods USA LLC Privacy Notice for California applicants, please visit our Corporate website associated section by clicking here (English) or here (Spanish).
More jobs in Tulare, California


Foods Co.

SCUSA Saputo Cheese USA Inc.
More jobs in Other


University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky