Assistant Quality Assurance Manager

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands:
Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.

The Assistant Quality Assurance Manager supports the Quality Assurance Manager in overseeing plant-wide Quality Assurance activities to ensure compliance with Upstate Niagara Cooperative Inc. standards and regulatory requirements. The role involves managing Good Sanitation Practices (GSP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), auditing processes, maintaining regulatory compliance, and overseeing laboratory and sanitation practices. Responsible for overall direction, coordination and evaluation of this unit.

Management of the unit and supervision of employees are critical responsibilities. This position also plays a key role on the Food Safety team and serves as a representative of Corporate Quality Assurance at the plant level.

• Schedule:
  
  Monday through Friday, 1st Shift
• Overnight Coverage:
  Required approximately twice per month (11:00 PM - 8:00 AM)
• Flexibility:
  Hours may vary based on business needs and operational demands.

• Collaborate with QA Manager and Plant Management to develop and implement a Plant Quality Plan including GMP.
• Define and communicate the role of quality across the facility to promote continuous improvement.
• Review and audit manufacturing procedures, ensuring compliance with established protocols.
• Identify nonconformances and lead corrective action initiatives.
• Maintain regulatory compliance with federal and state requirements.
• Act as plant liaison during inspections and audits.

• Maintain, update, and enforce GMP guidelines.
• Validate sanitation practices and conduct regular audits.
• Evaluate new sanitation techniques and products.
• Assist sanitation department by conducting visual inspections and verifying effectiveness of CIP systems
• Provide coaching and guidance to sanitation supervisor and technicians performing sanitation duties.

• Maintain and review product specifications.
• Implement systems to manage product release, hold, and disposition procedures.
• Collect, review, and file food safety and quality records according to document control standards.
• Prepare customer Certificates of Analysis.
• Collaborate with production to assess incoming raw materials and goods.
• Work with purchasing to establish quality standards with vendors.
• Support the implementation and maintenance of the SQF program.
• Address nonconformances related to quality and food safety promptly.

• Manage all plant quality control personnel to assure compliance with both UNC policies and regulatory requirements
• Develop and monitor training programs for Operations, Sanitation, and Quality staff.
• Interview, hire, and train employees and appraise employee performance
• Plan, assign and direct work; address complaints and resolve issues.

• Supervise lab activities and staff, ensuring appropriate training and scheduling.
• Perform laboratory analyses and maintain calibration of testing equipment.
• Purchase lab supplies and oversee lab-related data entry and record keeping.
• Provide coaching and guidance to lab technicians for continuous improvement.
• Prepare and manage customer and regulatory sampling requirements.
• Ensur…