Quality/ Purchasing Manager

Quality Assurance / Purchasing Manager

The successful Quality Assurance / Purchasing Manager is expected to develop, implement and coordinate the quality assurance program to prevent or eliminate defects in our products. Prairie Farms expects to contend for the highest inspection scores, product evaluation scores and overall plant operation awards. The QA Manager will work as an equal team member and help us achieve our goals. (S)he will conduct end-of-month counts of ingredients and packaging. Enter daily intercompany transfers as well as inbound receipts of ingredients and packaging into AS400. Recognize inconsistencies, check their own work, identify any anomalies, and communicate with the proper personnel to resolve them. Closing out monthly reports in support of financials. Document retention and retrieval for audits.

Key Responsibilities

• The purchasing of all ingredients needed for the plant
• Submitting and finalizing all invoices for the plant
• Daily log entry of all production for the plant
• Printing of all tickets and route settlements for the plant
• All other duties assigned by the Plant Manager

• Understand and follow: Standard Methods of Dairy Lab., Past. Milk Ordinance, HACCP, etc.
• Develop initial and subsequent modifications of quality assurance program. Develop areas of responsibility, personnel requirements and operational procedures within the program.
• Review and manage the cleaning and lab supply budgets. Understand the repair budget.
• Investigate quality issues and assist management in other departments in establishing quality procedures.
• Monitor cleanup procedures and train employees on SOP's.
• Monitor and Communicate lab test results. Work with lab technicians on procedures and techniques. Manage our product recall program.
• Conduct Facility Inspections Communicate deficiencies and assist with corrective action.
• Manage our HACCP, SSOP, SOP, Master Sanitation and Environmental sampling programs.
• Monitor and confer with suppliers concerning quality of their products and their standards.
• Assist Management in the development of new products produced, labeling, specifications and products sold to include product complaints.
• Assist, advise and provide training in all areas affecting quality.
• Monitor regulatory compliance.
• Keep abreast of changing technology concerning quality.

Coordinate activities of Federal and State Agencies with respect to plant inspections and other issues. Must develop a good working relationship with regulatory inspectors

Required Qualifications

• 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in Quality, inventory and/or shipping and receiving positions.
• Previous experience with Microsoft Office.
• Strong typing skills.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Basic math and reading skills.
• Proficient and accurate in data entry.
• Work well with numbers.
• Good phone etiquette.

Required Soft Skills:

• Ability to work without direct supervision.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.
• Coachable and willing to learn.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to multitask.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Competency:

• Analytical skills for data interpretation.
• Strategic thinking to develop category plans.
• Negotiation and relationship management to work with suppliers.
• Strong communication skills for collaborating with various stakeholders.

Working Conditions:

• (S)he will be required to sit and stand for long periods of time.
• Will be required to lift and move large amounts of paperwork (boxes of files).
• Will be required to stoop, bend, and reach above the head and below the knees to file and retrieve data.
• Perform organoleptic evaluations of products. (Taste, smell, see, feel)
• Must be able to lift 10lbs frequently and occasionally up to 50lbs.
• Communicate effectively in both quiet and loud conditions. (Talk, hear, see)
• Work around and with cleaning solutions daily.
• Work in a very humid and wet environment, in both cold and warm conditions.
• Work around, monitor, oversee and scrub pipe fittings and machines with chemical solutions.

About Prairie Farms "Farmer Owned. Locally Produced. Since 1938."

We are a farmer-owned cooperative. This means we are owned and operated by over 800+ farm families who are critical members of society. They have selflessly taken on the tremendous task of producing nutritious, high-quality milk for a growing population, which requires being on the job 24/7, 365 days a year.

We have represented American agriculture since our founding in 1938. Many of our dairy farms are operated by several generations of family members with roots dating back to the 1800s. On average, each farm milks around 120 cows and everyone pitches in to keep them happy and healthy - which means around-the-clock care!

Our Mission:

• To produce dairy products of the highest quality
• To conduct our business with professional integrity
• To exceed expectations of our customers and consumers
• To support our communities in a positive, sustainable manner
• To deliver exceptional patronage to our network of farm families
• To simply "do right" for our farm families, employees, and communities

EEO Statement

Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.