Food Safety and Quality Manager

Are you interested in working for a company that partners with local farmers to produce sustainable, healthy oat ingredients to feed the world? Just west of Winnipeg, O Foods has built the most advanced oat mill in North America to meet growing global demand. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Paterson Global Foods, we have strong roots in Canadian agriculture and believe in delivering value to the entire food supply chain.

Reporting to the General Manager, the Food Safety & Quality Manager is responsible for foods safety and quality execution, continuous improvement, and regulatory compliance while working with customers, suppliers, corporate and manufacturing staff. As a member of the plant leadership team, this role will build and support a strong culture of food safety, establish and maintain quality systems, and implement corrective actions to meet defined expectations.

• Supervise a staff of QA Technicians, ensuring that tasks are conducted consistently, efficiently and aligned with the needs of the business.
• Develop, lead, and coach a team, making decisions about talent, performance, and discipline.
• Establish implement and improve product quality and food safety standards, specifications, processes, and methodologies that meet or exceed customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and raw material packaging inspection standards.
• Responsible for accuracy of product labeling to comply with governmental regulations and customer needs.
• Lead a cross-functional team to conduct hazard analyses, identify CCPs and preventive measures, establish critical limits, and monitor procedures, corrective actions and verification procedures.
• Prepare quality documentation and reports by collecting, analyzing and summarizing information and trends including stability studies, failed processes, and complaints, corrective actions, withdrawals and/or recalls, re-validations and other KPIs as assigned.
• Lead external third-party audits, prepare/coach cross functional managers before, during and after the audits, along with confirming CAPAs are completed. Ensure plant preparedness for customer and regulatory audits/visits, and conduct internal audits on a regular cadence
• Direct and monitor product safety and quality complaint investigation and resolution activity. Responsible for complaint trending reports and working with other departments to reduce complaint recurrence. Responds to customer requests and queries related to quality and regulatory matters.
• Monitor and track effective cleaning practices of Sanitation and Production, including environmental swabbing program.
• As a member of the plant leadership team, actively participate in capital projects, take part in the planning to ensure food safety standards are met.
• Collaborate with industry, professional associations, customers, government, suppliers and regulatory agencies involving all aspects of product quality, integrity, and food safety.
• Other duties as assigned

• Post-secondary education in Food Science, or science-related discipline
• 4+ years’ experience in managing the Quality and Food Safety function, including building, leading, and directing team members
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of statistical process control, quality assurance techniques and tools and quality management principles in a food manufacturing environment.
• Previous internal and external audit experience. Professional food quality/safety certifications are an asset.
• Experience leading and supporting continuous improvement projects, including process optimization and standardization, deviation analysis, corrective and preventive actions, KPI monitoring, and cross-functional problem solving
• Prior experience obtaining certifications in a food processing start‑up company is highly valuable
• In‑depth knowledge of quality and food safety (HACCP principles, GMP, SOP, SSOP, Pest Control, Allergen, Recalls) and experience implementing and maintaining food safety plans; ability to be HACCP certified. Knowledge in ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, Organic and gluten free certifications are highly valuable.
• Strong knowledge of federal and local government regulations, including SFCA, FDA, and FMSA
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills; ability to supervise and motivate others in a team environment.
• Microsoft Skills - familiarity and ability to utilize common MS Office suite - Excel, Word, PPT
• Attractive compensation package including company paid medical & dental benefits.
• Work‑life balance and Employee Assistance Programs.
• On the job training & development and career growth opportunities.
• Paid vacation and personal days.
• Employee Referral Program.

O Foods Ltd is an equal opportunity employer and is committed in building a skilled and diverse workforce. We encourage women, aboriginal peoples, members of visible minorities and persons with disabilities to apply.