Quality Assurance Manager

About this position

Title:

Plant QA Manager

Reports to:

Vice President of Quality Assurance

Indirectly reports to:
Plant Manager

Location:

Dallas, TX

Jobs Supervised (by title):
Plant QA Lab Tech

Travel:
Estimated at 5% or less

Job Purpose

Summary:

This position is responsible for managing all aspects of quality at the production facility necessary for the successful control of food safety and quality expectations.

• Manage the quality and food safety systems for the facility in accordance with corporate directives and requirements
• Lead the facility HACCP team and Biosecurity programs
• Manage facility regulatory, customer, kosher and third party certification compliance programs
• Oversee quality related documentation and certifications
• Perform internal and external audits to support the Quality Management System
• Provide hands on activity and management for the performance of microbiological and chemistry related testing related to product requirements (color, Brix, pH, yeast, mold, APC)
• Produce reporting for quality results and perform corrective action initiatives
• Lead internal improvement and project management teams as assigned
• Assist in the training of facility teams for quality related activities
• Assist with mock recalls and other actions to test the systems for compliance
• Manage internal databases for documentation and testing data
• Disposition of nonconforming product and raw materials
• Organize customer orders with Production, coordinate carriers, and keep customers updated.
• In case of vacation or illness, the Plant QA Lab Tech is the backup for this position, and the QA Lab Tech may also serve as the secondary SQF Practitioner.

• Serves as the Primary SQF Practitioner at the plant site
• PCQI Certification is required
• Oversee the development, implementation, review and maintenance of the plant SQF System
• Take appropriate action to ensure the integrity of the SQF System
• Communicate to relevant personnel all information essential to ensure the effective implementation and maintenance of the SQF System
• Recall Team Leader (QC/QA, liaises with regulatory authorities)
• Member of the Business Continuity Planning Team
• Responsible for regulatory matters (quality, food safety)
• Food Safety Culture Plan Leadership
• Food Security Team Leader
• Approval of SQF procedures, policies and HACCP/food safety plans
• Validation of HACCP/Food Safety Plans
• Oversees internal audits
• Oversees Customer Complaints
• Leads the plant SQF Management Reviews and SQF Updates
• Leads the annual review of the HACCP Plan/Food Safety Plan, cooperates with Food Fraud Vulnerability and Mitigation Plan
• Responsible for CAPA, Traceability, Product and Equipment Hold Programs
• Involved in the New Product Development process (customer-specific specification changes)
• Oversees food safety GMP training of Service Providers and Contractors
• Maintain supplier documentation and COAs from all plant suppliers
• Maintain product specifications of all plant customers

• Degree: BS in Microbiology, Food Science / Technology or equivalent experience
• Previous quality assurance experience in food manufacturing environments including audit experience
• Experience in microbiology, GMP’s, chemistry, equipment design, sanitation and quality systems
• Must have general knowledge of regulatory and kosher compliance requirements

• Must be adaptable and flexible
• Must be organized and analytical
• Excellent communication / presentation skills
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent recordkeeping / documentation skills
• Basic understanding of microbiological and chemistry testing procedures
• Basic understanding of laboratory testing equipment
• Understanding of current laws and regulations related to food manufacturing
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint)

• SQF Certification
• Six Sigma certification at the Green Belt level
• Ability to speak and/ or write Spanish is desired

• Office machinery including: computers, printers, fax machines, copiers, etc.
• Microsoft Office Suite

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to work in dusty, wet, hot or cold environments for extended periods of time
• Requires prolonged sitting and standing, bending, stooping and climbing
• Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator, and laboratory equipment
• Requires normal range of hearing and vision (including colors) to record, prepare and communicate appropriate reports and laboratory results
• Requires lifting up to 50 pounds. Requires exposure to machines,…