Sr. Quality Assurance Manager

General PurposeManage and lead a quality department(s) and ensure effective quality execution, continuous improvement, and regulatory compliance and other food safety challenges. In conjunction with plant operations, build and maintain an effective culture of food safety and quality within the facility.Develop and maintain processes that ensure finished product is food safe and meets finished product specifications. Function as a highly organized, decisive, action-oriented leader who can utilize knowledge, experience, and influence to foster positive change, cultivate a robust food safety and quality culture, and ensure compliance to plant expectations.Job Duties And ResponsibilitiesManage and ensure daily plant quality and food safety operations are compliant with DFA policies and procedures and local, state, and federal regulationsMaintain audit readinessManage the Corrective and Preventative Action (CAPA) program and conduct follow up to ensure effectiveness of actionsDevelop and maintain a robust food safety training program and subsequent quality programIdentify gaps and opportunities for improvement and drive implementationEscalate nonconformances to quality director and plant manager in a timely fashionOversee plant sanitation and create an effective sanitation programEnsure the plant pest control programs are current, followed, and utilized to enable proactive maintenanceManage the facility’s change control program to enable risk assessment and decisionsEnsure compliance of specification, manufacturing instructions and preventive maintenance programs. Partner with operations to ensure preventive maintenance program is robust and adhered toCollaboratively lead investigations relating to non-conforming events driving to root cause(s) and effective resolutionManage hold and release programsReview records daily to ensure all records are completed as required and review/approval is current for preventive controls, laboratory, sanitation, production, and verification checksTrack and report on plant quality key performance indicators (KPIs)Participate in the annual plant budgeting processPartner with the plant manager on identifying key capital projects that support food safety and quality initiativesProvide training to the plant personnel concerning food safety, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and regulatory complianceProvide quality leadership during unplanned events or emergenciesProvide visible leadership by participating in facility walk throughs and conduct internal auditsDemonstrate strong leadership and influence, along with a proven track record of successEngage and interact with all personnel to gain deep understanding of the daily operations andAssist with their challenges and questions concerning food safetyCollaborate with R&D during new/reformulated product introduction to ensure compliance with already established specifications and regulatory requirementsServe as the point of contact for customer related issues, complaints, or inquiresManage plant complaint investigations ensuring a thorough, effective, timely and customer facing responseMonitor compliance to customer expectation and specifications; communicate any issues/concernsMaintain plant preparedness for customer and regulatory visitsManage all analytical and micro activities performed at the facilityOversee the development of complex laboratory practices to ensure accurate and precise quality control (QC) resultsPerform data analysis to identify critical trends or find leading indicators to enable proactive decisionsCoordinate the collection and evaluation of raw materials and finished productsEnsure the Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) is robust, and risk based with a search and destroy mentality applied. Determine root cause of failures and take the appropriate corrective actionCoordinate and supervise factory and external lab testing of samples; generate Certificate of Analysis (COA’s)Maintain the quality management system and ensure documents are up to date and comply to the food safety and quality (FSQ) policies and standardsPrepare plant specific work instructions as neededEnsure SSOP documents are robust and adhere to the sanitation standardEnsure all forms and work instructions are reviewed, revised, and updated annuallyPerform management activities such as administering employee promotions and transfers; conducting ongoing performance conversations; mentoring, training, and coaching employeesFollow all DFA good manufacturing practices (GMP) and work in a manner consistent with all corporate regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirementsThe requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required,Education And ExperienceUndergraduate degree in food science, biological sciences, or related curriculum (or equivalent combination of education and experience)8 or more years of quality assurance or related experience in a food, beverage, or similar facilityDemonstrated leadership attributes, team leadership, or supervisory experience; 1+ year of management experienceCertification and/or License - PCQI, HACCP, SQF Practitioner certifications preferred; may be required during course of employmentKnowledge, Skills, And AbilitiesStrong knowledge of both laboratory and plant current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs)Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systemsKnowledge of principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel managementStrong leadership and coaching skillsStrong risk assessment skillsCritical thinking, analysis, mathematical calculations, and statistical evaluationsAble to organize and prioritize resources to achieve goalsAble to multi-task; able to keep organized records; able to work with accuracy and attention to detailAble to translate accounting, financial, and KPI data into plant performance and determine steps to correct and improveAble to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, for a diverse range of internal and external audiencesAble to work in collaboration effectively and foster good teamworkAble to take appropriate steps to find solutions to complex problemsAble to present options and ideas to current processes or proceduresAble to handle challenging or conflict situations with tact and professionalismAble to respond courteously and efficiently to inquiries, complaints, and requestsAble to interpret and apply company policiesAble to adapt and manage to change effectivelyMust be able to read, write and speak English.An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans