Quality Assurance Manager - Dairy Manufacturing

Crystal Creamery is currently looking for a Quality Assurance Manager for our Modesto Plant.

The Quality Assurance Manager must possess the desire and ability to plan, organize, and direct quality assurance personnel and programs. The Quality Assurance Manager ensures that all products conform to Crystal Creamery’s product quality standards, as well as Federal, State, and local standards. The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for all aspects of food quality and food safety. The role provides guidance and is the champion for GMP’s, HACCP, HARPC, SQF, regulatory and customer requirements, sanitation, food safety and quality program administration.

• Ensure daily plant Quality and Food Safety operations are in compliance with Crystal Creamery’s policies, procedures, customer requirements, and local, state, and federal regulations.
• Lead in the implementation of SQF, HACCP, and FSMA programs.
• Drive continual quality improvement as measured by Quality KPI’s including internal and external audits and company quality metrics.
• Directly supervise quality supervisor, laboratory technicians and manage daily activities to ensure associates adhere to company requirements while providing leadership, guidance, and training.
• Serves as company liaison for all local, state, federal and third-party food safety and quality audits, CCOF and kosher certifications and inspections.
• Support senior management and operations with technical quality and food safety expertise to investigate and troubleshoot any issues related to food safety and quality.
• Write and develop plant and laboratory SOP’s.
• Manage and implement site CAPA program and collaborate with operations leaders to support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Assist in investigating all customer and consumer complaints, manage investigation and ensure timely review and response to complaints.
• Manage hold and release program as well as product trace and recall programs.
• Manage departmental budget including supplies, payroll, and capital expenditures.
• Possesses a high degree of initiative, attention to detail, flexibility, and ability to change priorities quickly to meet the needs of the business.
• Manage allergen program and provide daily schedule and testing requirements.

• Bachelor of Science in Dairy Science or a related area.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in managing dairy quality assurance department. Must have an understanding of the dairy industry.
• Experience developing and maintaining quality assurance and quality control programs.
• Experience monitoring, testing and evaluating dairy products.
• Experience managing regulatory and third-party visits.
• Skilled in computer work involving Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to provide leadership in the area of quality and food safety.
• Excellent communication skills both written and oral, and ability to work effectively with teams.
• Must be able to lead team members effectively.
• Certified in HACCP, SQF and PCQI.
• Understanding of HACCP, GMPs, FSMA, SQF Code, Food Allergens and Microbiology. Must be capable of fulfilling the duties of substitute SQF Practitioner.
• Must maintain a high level of confidentiality and exercise discretion in a competent manner.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.