Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance Manager

Regular Full-Time Management Corona, CA, US

Salary Range: $ To $ Annually

Job Title: Quality Assurance Manager

Department: Quality and R&D

Reports to: Vice President

The ideal candidate will possess and live by Mercer Foods core values. The core values are continuous improvement, accountability, integrity, personal growth and wellness, teamwork, and work–life balance.

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing quality systems in the production plant designed to ensure continuous production of freeze-dried products and applications consistent with established standards, customer specifications, and production goals. They ensure all requirements for FSMA, SOPs, HACCP, FDA, SQF, Organic, and Kosher are in place and compliant, and review and update them as necessary. This position leads customer development by combining technical product and application knowledge with business understanding to meet customer needs and provide data to enable customers to meet their needs.

The successful candidate will develop, manage, and execute the organization’s food, safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance policies and establish performance standards, procedures, and audit controls to meet business requirements. The QA Manager will manage multiple projects across multiple customers, apply efficient analytical and reporting processes, participate in internal audits including second- and third-party audits, and document and implement inspection criteria and procedures.

• Living Mercer Values – Demonstrates the characteristics and behaviors of an individual who lives Mercer's values.
• Attendance – Dependability and punctuality; no more than one active step of discipline for attendance.
• Performance – Ability to perform job duties; no more than one active step of discipline for performance.
• Safety – Good judgment to maintain a safe work environment; no more than one active step of discipline for safety incidents.
• Training – Complete required training; no pending trainings.
• Leadership – Strong leadership, decision-making, motivation, and encouragement.
• Quality – Strives to eliminate errors and improve product/services.
• Problem Solving – Understand contributing factors and resolve complex situations.
• Communication – Effective written and verbal communication, presentation, and listening skills.

• Audits – Conduct and/or assist with audits and inspections of performance and activities.
• Compliance – Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and corporate policies.
• Continuous Improvement – Design roadmaps and implement process improvements.
• Critical Thinking – Use good judgment in evaluating situations.
• Data-Based Decisions – Strong quantitative and analytical skills for reporting.
• Documentation – Maintain proper documentation and records.
• Leadership – Lead by example.
• Priorities – Align priorities with business vision and values.
• Proactive Problem Solving – Communicate and solve problems proactively.
• Process and Policies – Develop and document processes to maintain internal controls.
• Product Inspections – Participate in product inspections; distinguish quality from inferior product.
• Product Specifications – Knowledge of product specifications and description to enable efficient processing.
• Project Management – Manage task flow and complete assignments on time and accurately.
• Quality Data Standards – Ensure quality control over transactions and reporting.

Minimum of 10+ years’ experience in food manufacturing quality assurance. Bachelor’s Degree required;
Master’s degree preferred in microbiology, food science, or chemical engineering. Proficiency in SQF, FSMA and other food safety and quality systems is required. Must be HACCP and PCQI certified. Travel up to 20% may be required.

• Place high priority on food safety, quality, and sanitation by understanding and executing Mercer Food’s policies and procedures.
• Hold self and others accountable to Mercer Foods food safety and sanitation guidelines by communicating incidents, observations, or opportunities.
• When VP of QA & R&D or QC Manager is absent, serve as backup to ensure all objectives and SQF system requirements are met.

Physical demands include some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; and fine finger dexterity. The job requires approximately 40% sitting, 40% walking, and 40% standing. The environment may involve occasional temperature variations and requires unrestricted visual and audio abilities. The ability to lift up to 40 lbs. is required.