Quality Manager

Location: Sikeston, 301 Larcel Dr, Sikeston, MO 63801, USA

Position Description

Reporting to the Plant Manager, the Manager, Quality oversees the plant's quality department, ensuring total product/package quality, food safety, quality cost management, safety, compliance, GMPs, and execution of all quality protocols to meet plant quality objectives.

Essential Job Functions

• Adhere to and ensure compliance with all health and safety policies, procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), PPE requirements, and relevant standards such as GFSI.
• Directly manage the Quality team to achieve KPIs and continuous improvement project goals, track costs, reduce waste, oversee employee training, and maintain department morale.
• Manage laboratory, water treatment, syrup blending, sanitation, microbiology equipment, raw materials, and all quality processes.
• Ensure raw materials and finished products meet specifications and manufacturing standards, complying with FDA, CFIA, GMP, HACCP, and other governmental regulations.
• Support and maintain compliance with third‑party food safety and quality certifications, and continuously improve the facility’s food safety and quality management systems.
• Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve the SQF System, and ensure compliance with all relevant food safety and quality requirements.
• Oversee daily quality inspections to ensure product compliance.
• Write, update, and maintain SOPs for the quality program.
• Lead internal audit processes, driving continuous improvement and sharing best practices.
• Understand plant financials, fixed and variable costs, and how cost centers influence QC results and production volume.
• Participate in planning future capital requirements and manage capital projects to successful completion.
• Lead the development, implementation, review, and maintenance of food safety fundamentals, food safety and quality plans, and the SQF program, communicating key information to employees.
• Ensure documentation is kept safe, maintained, and accessible.
• Handle departmental non‑conformances and implement corrective actions, ensuring timely closure.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental regulations, and corporate standards, investigating root causes of any non‑compliance.
• Lead personnel actions, including hiring, performance management, and termination.
• Provide training, direction and instruction, and conduct performance evaluations.
• Guide training on work standards and expected outcomes.
• Plan and evaluate performance, staff training, development, recruitment, and pay recommendations.
• Maintain a safe working environment, focusing on accident reduction and energy/waste minimization.
• Act as SQF Practitioner for the facility.
• Lead site projects such as waste reduction, validation, new product launch, etc.

Required Skills

• Proficient in Lab Data Collection Program, Excel, Word, SAP, and PowerPoint.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and results‑oriented capabilities.
• Organized, detail–oriented, and adaptable to change.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to apply statistical methods to analyze data and identify trends.
• Familiarity with GFSI, FDA, and other relevant standards and regulations preferred.
• Ability to read and understand the metric system.
• Leadership with a culture of empowerment, trust, and growth.
• Decision‑making aptitude under pressure, considering cost, quality, and time constraints.

Education and Experience

• Undergraduate degree in Food Science, Quality or related discipline.
• Minimum five years of direct management experience in quality within a manufacturing environment, preferably in the food/beverage industry.
• Knowledge of quality management systems, HACCP plans, food safety and security standards, and governmental regulations in the food/beverage sector.

Working Conditions

• Work schedule includes weekdays, weekends, afternoons, evenings, and overnight shifts; overtime scheduled as needed.
• Fast‑paced production plant with moving parts; noise levels require hearing protection; temperatures may be hot or cold (laboratory is temperature controlled).
• Sitting for periods of time.

Travel Requirements

• Rare travel anticipated.

Physical Requirements

• Visual/sensory…