Quality Manager

Job Purpose

The plant Quality Manager develops and maintains a strong culture of quality and food safety plant-wide. They develop and execute quality and food safety strategic initiative for the entire manufacturing site to drive continuous improvement while delivering against all Kraft Heinz internal quality measures (KPIs), external regulatory standards, and 3rd party customer requirements.

This position plays a key role in contributing to our vision of growing sustainably and delighting more consumers by ensuring the quality and protection of our brands. This position also plays an important role aligned with our values "we are consumer obsessed, we own it, and dare to do better every day".

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Leads a large team of Quality professionals capable of delivering on quality and production strategies, including but not limited to: Laboratory, Quality Compliance, Sanitation, Department Quality Supervisors, Quality Engineers, and other supporting staff.
• Works with the corporate quality team and various support function to deliver on quality excellence programs to driving performance in consumer complaint reduction, hold reduction, sanitation execution, and regulatory compliance.  
• Utilization of industry and Kraft Heinz quality tools (RCFA, SPC, Green Belt, etc.) to improve quality and product superiority.
• Leads and implements best-in-class quality and food safety KPIs to measure performance of team members, ultimately aligning with the larger factory and business priorities.
• Drives team member engagement through strong leadership, career development, and conflict management.
• Builds strong relationships with plant leadership team members to ensure quality programs are driven through cross-functional partnerships with shared goals.
• Partners with corporate to drive automation and digital solutions including KHC Lighthouse and factory/lab of the future initiatives.
• Capable of evaluating performance and competencies of plant QA staff while providing leadership training, coaching, and accountability as needed.
• Drives consistency through development of work instructions and training to set standards.
• Manages the plant's Corrective Action and Preventive Action program to drive continuous improvement.
• Drives excellence in innovation thru supporting R&D plant trials and feedback, ensuring successful end-to-end commercialization of brand maintenance and innovation projects.
• Maintains plant GMPs, HACCP, pre-requisite programs while serving as the primary liaison between plant and external regulatory agencies (FDA, CFIA, etc.) during routine and unannounced visits.
• Provides direction and subject matter expertise on plant Quality-related activities and inquiries
• Prepares for and leads all internal and external quality audits, ensuring all corrective and preventative action timelines are adhered to.  
• Routinely monitors KHC quality systems, tools, and data sources to proactively address potential risks before they occur.
• Oversees record keeping for all mandated quality checks, testing, sampling and sanitation activities.
• Tracks, analyzes, and supports RCFA initiatives for quality-related, factory-controllable consumer complaints.
• Prepares and maintains relevant FSQ permitting and licensing for the plant.
• Manages departmental budgeting, purchasing and inventory of plant quality supplies such as filters, chemicals, tools and lab supplies.
• Serves as the plant lead for company quality and manufacturing initiatives including the implementation of the Kraft Heinz Management System (KHMS).
• Develops strong working relationships with key suppliers and vendors.
• Communicates effectively across all levels of the factory and corporate leadership team.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• Bachelor's degree in food science, chemistry, microbiology or related field preferred
• Must be a self-directed individual with a high level of integrity and maturity with proven leadership skills related to coaching/development of team members.
• Ability to work well under pressure through times of crisis management.
• Must be an effective communicator with excellent follow-up skills and comfortable interacting with all levels of the organization.
• Strong knowledge of GFSI (FSSC 22000) requirements and previous experience as an audit facilitator.
• Demonstrates understanding of Statistical Process Control (SPC), HACCP, sanitation, analytical/microbiology testing principles, and hygienic design principals.
• Has project management skills and a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.
• ERP system and Quality system experience, SAP and Infinity preferred.
• Demonstrates the ability to drive continuous improvement, is results-driven and delivers against set targets.
• Capable of fostering a strong Quality Culture that supports transformational change in line with the Kraft Heinz Company strategy.

Work Environment & Schedule

This position is considered a Manufacturing plant environment with heavy machinery and equipment. Additionally, this role requires availability to provide support for a 24-hour / 7-day week operation for critical issues if needed.