Quality Performance Lead

The Irca Group is an International Leader in high quality finished and semi-finished ingredients for the bakery, pastry, and ice cream markets. With a solid history of over 100 years in the industry, the Group has its headquarters in Italy (Gallarate) and a strong global footprint with 23 production sites and over 2000 employees in Europe, the United States and Vietnam. Our core product categories include chocolate, compounds, chocolate decorations, sprinkles, creams, pastry mixes, gelato ingredients, nuts and candied fruit. The most recent acquisition of Kerry Sweet complements our existing categories with the addition of sweet particulates, chocolate confections, inclusions, variegates and frozen fruit purees. Through its 8 key brands (IRCA, Dobla®, in2food, Via Degli Orsini, JoyGelato, RaviFruit, Cesarin and Anastasi®) the IRCA Group offers an unparalleled "one-stop shop" approach for delivering quality solutions to all ingredients needs, through a broad range of innovative products. We offer every day and seasonal solutions to 3 macro channels: Gourmet, Food Manufacturing and Consumer Product (Retail). “Extraordinary made simple”   Job Purpose:The Quality Performance Lead is responsible for governance, effectiveness, and continuous improvement of the site Quality Management System (QMS). This role ensures audit readiness, regulatory compliance, and robust food safety programs while driving a prevention-first culture through data-driven insights, strong system ownership, and cross-functional collaboration. RequirementsQMS Governance & System IntegrityOwn and manage document control systems, including procedures, records, and version controlLead Change Control / Management of Change (MOC) program governance and executionLead Management Review and Food Safety Team processes, including scheduling, KPI inputs, and action trackingEstablish, maintain, and execute the site verification and validation master scheduleAudit & Compliance LeadershipLead internal audit programs (SQF, GMP), including audit planning, execution, and follow-upCoordinate and support external audits (customer, certification, regulatory), ensuring readiness and effective executionCollaborate on audit responses, ensuring clear root cause, CAPA, and timely submissionManage certification programs (e.g., Organic, RSPO, Fair Trade, Kosher, etc.), including compliance and inventory/accounting requirements where applicableProvide updates and represent Quality in customer and certification forums as neededRisk Management & Food Safety ProgramsMaintain and continuously improve Food Safety Plan and Quality Plan, including hazard analyses and controlsLead Food Defense program implementation, assessments, and updatesSupport PCQI responsibilities, including verification activitiesEnsure robust traceability systems and conduct traceability exercises to verify effectivenessIssue Management & Continuous ImprovementOwn and oversee the CAPA program, including quality of root cause analysis, effectiveness verification, and closure disciplineTrack, trend, and analyze deviations, non-conformances, complaints, and CAPAs to drive systemic improvementsAudit third-party warehouses and external storage locations as neededCommercialization & Product ComplianceParticipate in commercialization and production readiness processes to ensure quality and compliance requirements are metReview and approve product specifications, labeling, and certification claimsSupport customer questionnaires, technical documentation, and regulatory inquiriesReview and approve system workflows (e.g., Optiva), ensuring alignment with quality and food safety requirementsEst up systematic product inspection plans (align SFDC, Optiva PLM and M3)QualificationsBachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field3-7 years of experience in Quality, Food Safety, or related function within food manufacturingExperience with SQF or equivalent GFSI scheme required; PCQI certification preferredStrong working knowledge of food safety systems, regulatory requirements (FSMA), and certification standardsDemonstrated experience with QMS ownership, audit leadership, and CAPA systemsAbility to analyze data, identify trends, and drive continuous improvementEffective cross-functional collaboration and influencing skillsStrong communication skills, with ability to interface with customers, auditors, and leadershipHighly organized with ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlinesProficiency in quality systems and tools (e.g., Intelex, Optiva, ERP systems)Ability to interpret technical, regulatory, and scientific informationCapable of presenting information clearly to stakeholders at multiple levelsComfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environmentWhy Join Us: Irca Group offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits: Medical, Dental, & Vision, 401(k) matching, Paid Vacation, and Holidays, Employee Education Tuition Reimbursement ProgramWe may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.