Under direction of the Vice President of Mfg Operations and Technical Services, the Plant Quality Manager coordinates and leads all aspects of the Quality Assurance and Food Safety/Defense programs at Walden Farms.
Primary duties include managing the plants third-party audits, developing, revising, and implementing the HACCP plan, ensuring all employees are trained in and follow Good Manufacturing Practices, conducting internal audits, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Other duties include managing outside contractors as they relate to food safety (pest control, uniforms, sanitation, laboratory equipment), investigating/resolving customer complaints and ensuring compliance to all applicable food safety and regulatory requirements such as FDA, FSMA, CFIA, CODEX, etc. as required.
Instrumental in maintaining food safety procedures, policies and the assurance and verification of compliance.
Leads the development and implementation of the facility food safety, employee safety and quality training program.
Establishes Continuous Improvement initiatives and annual goals for the Quality Assurance program to assure excellent product quality, optimal efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
Develops tools to report on KPIs, analyze trends, and drive continuous process and quality improvements.
Acts as vital team member of Walden Farms plant leadership team with the Facilities leadership teams and other departments to support production, manage QA issues, daily dispositions, and resolutions as needed.
Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or a related field
HACCP Certified
5+ years of experience in managing a team of food safety, QA professionals in a food/ personal care/ nutritional supplement/ pharmaceutical manufacturing environment
Bilingual preferred (Spanish)
Proven record of success in managing 3rd party audit experience
Experience coaching and mentoring department members
FSMA Certified (PCQI) or experience with FSMA; able to test finished foods and record results to meet FSMA requirements
Proven record of success in applying comprehensive, hands on knowledge of process controls, design of experiments, and root cause analysis
Ability to conduct lab analyses, generate data, interpret results, and track trends
Proven record of success in implementing process improvements
Organized, process-driven, and detail oriented
Must be able to perform mathematical calculation and analysis
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Must be proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and database programs