Job Purpose
Provide quality assurance, food safety, employee safety, and regulatory leadership to the facility by ensuring quality systems are communicated, implemented, and sustained. Ensure products, systems, and programs are consistent and meet both internal and external requirements.
Essential Functions
Oversee food safety program, quality standards, and legality of products manufactured in the facility
Maintain the facility GFSI audit standard
Ensure compliance with quality policies, procedures, cGMPs, and product specifications
Preserve the integrity of the GFSI and facility quality systems through enforcement of the policies and procedures outlined in the quality/food safety manual
Oversee Food Safety and HACCP teams, ensuring changes are reviewed in the facility as introduced and potential risks identified
Monitor quality metrics and key performance indicators and recommend changes to meet standards
Maintain and update the recall program, acting as the recall team leader
Facilitate customer complaint process and plant deviation investigations, as well as implement corrective actions for continuous improvement
Maintain supplier records ensuring compliance with regulations and guidelines
Manage the facility's internal auditing program and verification and validation activities to ensure finished product meets established company quality and food safety standards
Oversee the non-conforming product program for the facility, as well as implement corrective actions for continuous improvement
Participate in new product development and commercialization process, reviewing all quality and food safety changes as they occur
Oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs in the facility, e.g., safety manual, safety committee, safety auditing, etc.
Preserve the integrity of the EHS system through enforcement of the policies and procedures outlined in the safety manual; re-evaluate programs and procedures comprising the safety manual whenever process or facility changes are made
Evaluate and participate in employee accident investigations to ensure thorough root cause analysis is conducted; implement and ensure corrective actions are completed
Review facility accident statistics, monitor trends, and provide recommendations on prevention strategies
Provide guidance to the plant team on OSHA regulations
Schedule, conduct, and oversee internal and external audits of the Quality, Food Safety, and EHS systems in the facility including all local, state, and federal regulatory agencies
Maintain kosher program and other certifications (RSPO, Organic, Non-GMO) as required
Ensure employees are trained adequately on food safety, GFSI, quality assurance concepts, regulatory requirements, and employee safety
Prepare and manage departmental budgets
Interview, select, and train quality and supervisory employees
Directly manage QA Supervisor, Sanitation/Safety Supervisor, and QA administration (others as necessary)
Keep apprised of industry best practices and developments in federal, state, and local regulations that impact facility quality, food safety, and EHS systems
Perform other job-related duties as assigned
Qualifications (Education/Experience)
Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related degree preferred
HACCP, PCQI, and OSHA certification preferred
Minimum 5 years of progressive and demonstrated quality assurance and food safety management leadership experience in the food industry or manufacturing industry
Proficient knowledge in food safety programs and systems: GFSI (BRC or SQF preferred), internal auditing, cGMPs, HACCP, FSMA, Sanitation
Experience leading regulatory inspections
Proven fiscal responsibility (financial planning, budgeting, financial analysis, variance reporting, etc.)
Strong computer skills including experience with ERP systems and Microsoft Office
Excellent skills in the areas of teamwork, motivation, decision making, relationship building, and coaching
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Ability to think critically and solve complex problems
Ability to organize, manage multiple priorities, and maintain high attention to detail in a fast-paced environment