This position is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Quality Assurance department in order to assure the products are safe, high quality, and comply with regulatory requirements. The person in this role will perform functions to analyze, update, and manage quality systems, food safety, and laboratory programs, tasks, and personnel. This person will coordinate with cross functional partners to identify and implement quality improvements to products and processes. This position is responsible for managing contacts, engagement, and issue resolution with quality peers at customer and supplier locations.
Primary Responsibilities:
Monitors and maintains compliance to product specifications for raw materials, in process goods and finished products, and appropriate testing to ensure compliance
Serve as Food Safety leader for the site, including leading the site Seek & Destroy (S&D) team
Manages development and maintenance of quality systems to assure compliance to SQF requirements and regulatory requirements
Reviews, verifies, and corrects QA records and reports daily
Interacts with USDA inspectors regularly
Directs and ensures effective and appropriate QC tests for in process controls and receiving of raw materials
Tracks and trends quality system performance and reports on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Provides timely and accurate resolution to customer needs, complaints, and concerns
Manages internal and external QA audits including audit CAPA and close out
Partners with Quality Improvement Manager to ensure smooth hand-off of new product commercialization
Verifies HACCP compliance including implementation of pre-requisite programs
Reviews and determines disposition on aged product inventory and retained product by assuring that proper procedures and documentation are completed
Monitors standard operating procedures, manufacturing operating procedures, and good manufacturing practices
Trains and develops quality assurance personnel to ensure they meet acceptable standards
Reviews and monitors product labeling compliance
Participates in sensory evaluation panels of company products including beef, pork, poultry, and various labeled allergens
Assists management in arranging /conducting employee training in quality system topics by SQF and other customer expectations
Performs other functions as assigned
Supervisory/Management Responsibilities:
Schedules and assigns work for department staff; follows up on results
Oversees employee participation and adherence to food safety programs and policies
Supervises department employees in their daily activities which include: training, motivating, disciplining, and evaluating employees
Maintains department staff by selecting and orientating new employees
Participates in the Performance Management Process
Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology or related field, or equivalent experience
6 + years of progressive work experience quality assurance/food processing including prior experience managing direct reports
Strong working knowledge of USDA/FDA guidance and regulations and GFSI requirements
HACCP/PCQI Certified
Proficient with computers and various software packages
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Demonstrated ability to stand alone and make difficult decisions
Competencies:
Results Orientation: The ability to focus on the desired result of one's own or one's unit's work, setting challenging goals, focusing effort on the goals, and meeting or exceeding them.
Diagnostic Information Gathering : The ability to identify the information needed to clarify a situation, seek that information from appropriate sources, and use skillful questioning to draw out the information, when others are reluctant to disclose it.
Communication: The ability to give and gather information and actively manage the communication process by asking questions, conveying complex information in plain language, listening and considering others' views, state own views clearly and concisely, and address conflict in a professional and productive manner.
Detail Oriented: Thoroughness in accomplishing a task through concern for all the areas involved no matter how small; monitors and checks work or information; and plans and organizes time and resources efficiently.
Action Orientation: Maintaining a sense of urgency to complete a task. Seeks information rather than waiting for it.
