TASKS, DUTIES, & GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely with executive management on proactively improving quality assurance program
• Champion and maintain quality and food safety initiatives to monitor and document product, facility, and worker compliance at the manufacturing site
• Conduct annual validations of compliance to company and government standards
• Lead SQF certification, Non-GMO Projects, and program maintenance
• Interface with all regulatory agencies, certification bodies, and customers and ensure compliance of manufacturing facilities
• Support production at manufacturing locations in producing top quality products that meet internal specifications
• Collaborate with Regulatory Team to conduct packaging/nutritional audits on current production as needed
• Organize food safety training documentation and tools and monitor effectiveness of training programs for production
• Review and maintain hold log, product specifications, certificates of analysis, and all other QA documents
• Coordinate relevant physical, chemical, and microbiological tests on raw materials, WIP items, and finished products per specifications
• Review lab testing results, testing requirements, and procedures on products and processing environments
• Oversee all plants HACCP, pre-requisite quality programs, and all quality/food safety related programs to meet internal, regulatory, and/or customer requirements
• Ensure all sanitation and food safety guidelines are being met throughout the manufacturing facilities
• Generate reports describing Quality Assurance KPIs, activities, trends, and expenditures as well as communicate findings and action plans to necessary/appropriate parties
• Help with the Sensory Evaluation process to ensure that all products are meeting company standards
• Manage food safety related concerns and complaints with corrective action reports
• Attend industry educational trainings, seminars, and events to understand industry best practices and provide technical support to the facility
• Manage quality budget including testing costs, capital expenditures, and headcount of quality team
• Assist with BOM development and management of products 
• Assist with plant trials for new and existing products
• Coordinate shelf-life studies of existing products to validate instructions, microbial limits, and organoleptic properties
• Adhere to all facility policies concerning safety, security, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
• Performs other duties, as assigned, and follows through on requests in a timely manner

Supervisory Duties

• Lead, manage, and supervise employees, delegate training for all processes within the Quality area setting
• Provide mentorship and training to functional team members
• Accountable for developing talent through on-going performance feedback and career management coaching

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education, Technical Skills, and/or Previous Experience: 
• Bachelor’s of Science degree in Food Science or Microbiology preferred or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience may be considered
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a food and/or beverage manufacturing environment
• Thorough knowledge of GMP, FDA/USDA and Food Safety, SOP’s, and SQF
• Leadership skills, focused on results, employee engagement, decision making, teamwork, and change management
• Strong mathematical skills


• Other qualifications:
• Bi-lingual in Spanish is a plus, not a requirement
• Strong PC skills, including MS office programs
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, problem solving, and organizational skills
• The employee must have the ability to quantitatively review technical procedures and representative regulations.  In addition, must be capable of writing detailed reports and general day-to-day oversight and related correspondence
• The ability to effectively present information to groups and respond to questions from peers, supervisors, and managers is essential
• Ability to multi-task and set priorities within Quality Assurance

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Warehouse and production manufacturing environment that includes both tempered and ambient areas. 
• The work environment is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Position requires the ability to stand or sit for prolonged periods, step, balance, crouch, stoop, kneel, squat, bend, occasionally lifting up to 50 lbs., reach above shoulders, or as needed to complete tasks.
• Must be able to occasionally climb stairs or a ladder to complete tasks
• Position located in a mix of production and office environments and requires a tolerance for consistent cold work environments (-10-40˚ F), high worker traffic, loud noises, odors, dust, and varying room temperatures.
• This position will be required to visit the production floor, refrigerated and frozen storage, and warehouses.
• Work flexible shifts as required.
• Understand that overtime and occasional weekends and/or worked holidays will be required based on company needs.
• Travel may be required