Plant Quality Systems Manager

Position Description

Reporting to the Manager Quality, the Manager Quality Systems will be responsible for taking a leadership role in implementing, executing, verifying, and validating the local Quality Management System. The position also assumes direct responsibility for compliance with the Food Safety and Modernization Act and for ensuring that food production licensing, certifications, and registrations are current.

• Adhere to and ensure compliance with all health and safety policies/procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ensure compliance with food quality and food safety guidelines per Refresco, customers, and/or governing bodies (e.g., SQF).
• Comply with FDA, state/city regulations, Refresco quality policies, GMPs, HACCP, Allergen, Kosher, and other applicable regulations.
• Provide guidance and training on work standards and expected outcomes.
• Own overall plant quality systems, including document control and quality data collection applications.
• Support and maintain compliance with third‑party food safety and quality certification requirements, implementing continuous improvement of the facility’s food safety and quality management systems.
• Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve the SQF System, ensuring compliance with all relevant food safety and quality requirements.
• Own audit systems, including internal and external audits.
• Audit and verify local team compliance with Refresco corporate guidelines.
• Lead quality projects to ensure proper documentation completion such as validation and verification protocols.
• Work with internal teams to support local site application, including support, design, development, test, and implementation for document control and quality data collection systems.
• Work with internal customers to ensure new or revised products are set up and implemented into quality data collection systems.
• Identify opportunities and implement solutions for process improvements in local quality systems.
• Drive efforts to improve quality system programs such as pest control, GMP, document control, maintenance, etc., as defined per GFSI and FDA.
• Champion governance, alignment, and communication of best practices for quality systems.
• Provide second‑level support to the Quality Manager for day‑to‑day operations.
• Champion local quality systems programs such as HACCP, CAPA, GFSI, FDA, customer requirements, etc.
• Revise and update local policies as needed, including development and upkeep of validation protocols.
• Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by manager as deemed appropriate.

• Proficient in Excel, Word, SAP, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems; results oriented.
• Organized and detail‑oriented; adaptable to change.
• Able to read and understand the metric system.

• Leadership – Foster a culture of empowerment by building relationships based on trust, lead courageously on a day‑to‑day basis, and inspire growth with a clear and ambitious vision.
• Problem‑solving – Capacity to identify and resolve production issues quickly and effectively to minimize downtime and optimize output.
• Decision‑making – Aptitude for making sound decisions under pressure, considering factors such as cost, quality, and time constraints.
• Communication – Strong communication skills to liaise with other departments, suppliers, and stakeholders, and to provide clear instructions to teams.

• A bachelor’s degree in quality management or a related technical discipline is strongly preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in Quality Assurance or Quality Control within a fast‑paced manufacturing environment, preferably in the food or beverage industry.
• Demonstrated experience in the successful implementation, management, and continuous improvement of Quality System Software.
• In‑depth understanding of Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards, such as SQF or FSSC 22000, with hands‑on experience managing compliance and audits.
• Proven experience working with real‑time data collection systems to monitor and analyze production processes.

• Visua…