Plant Quality Manager (PQM) Bells Plant

Plant Quality Manager

The Pictsweet Company is growing! We are hiring for a Plant Quality Manager at our flagship facility in Bells, TN. The PQM is a professional responsible for the technical and sensory standards of frozen vegetable production. This role drives operational quality, focusing on product grade, process optimization, and customer satisfaction. You will spearhead compliance with process standards and continuous improvement of the plant and its products. The PQM will work in concert with the plant teams to ensure compliance with the British Retail Consortium (BRC Global Standards) at the Bells, TN facility.

Responsibilities

• Grade and Sensory Standards: Define and enforce Pictsweet grade standards for the Bells' frozen vegetable production and repackaging lines. Conducting daily cuttings and sensory evaluation for compliance with visual consumer expectations.
• Process Control: Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) that matter to quality and line efficiency.
• Key Performance Indicators: Establish thresholds, first-pass quality yield, customer complaint tracking, and quality cost objectives with the cross-functional plant team.
• Customer Specification Management: Works in collaboration with a cross-functional team to translate complex customer requirements into actionable plant-level SOPs for retail, food service, and industrial clients.
• Operational Excellence: Use statistical process control (SPC) to analyze quality data, reduce "out of specification" product, and maximize yield without compromising standards.
• Optical Sorting & Inspection: Work with operations cross-functionally to calibrate and monitor the performance of optical sorting systems and manual inspection belts to eliminate foreign material and physiological defects.
• Packaging Integrity: Audit all packaging and packaged products for the proper seal, weight control, and labeling accuracy to ensure premium shelf presence.
• Raw Material: Inspect incoming raw agricultural products to ensure they meet maturity and quality thresholds before processing.
• Quality Culture: Works cross-functionally with the plant manager to develop and implement training programs to promote quality and food safety culture in the plant.
• Audits: Audits the quality system to identify its strengths and weaknesses to improve its operation continuously.
• Budgets: Submits annual budget for labor, inventory, maintenance, equipment, supplies, etc.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Diagnostic Information Gathering
• Results Orientation
• Fostering Teamwork
• Building Collaborative Relationships
• Managing Performance
• Stress Management

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE

• Five plus years in food manufacturing leadership.
• A practical understanding of food processing, quality control, HACCP, GMP, and personnel management.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in an agricultural or biological science. Other degrees may be considered based on experience.
• Certification in Quality Engineering, Auditing, & Managers of Organizational Excellence is encouraged.
• Must possess an understanding of management/leadership fundamentals.

SPECIAL SKILLS

• Must possess excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
• Bilingual in Spanish a plus.
• Must be computer proficient with spreadsheets and word-processing.
• Must be a proficient trainer of subordinate personnel.
• Must be able to develop and mentor subordinate employees for future responsibilities.
• Must work in a collegial manner with other departments to accomplish corporate objectives while achieving departmental goals.
• Be willing to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays.

Physical Environment Factors

This position will work in an office and plant environment. This position will frequently require work in a refrigerated environment or freezer. Occasionally, this position will be required to travel to other locations for agricultural or retail services.