Assistant Quality Assurance Manager

Summary: Provides leadership, direction and management support to the Quality Assurance and Food Safety Manager at the plant level. Under the direction of the CFO, works with the QA Team and Plant Management to help ensure that the facility operations are in compliance with government food safetyregulations as well as Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), RFG and customer requirements. Delivers continuous improvement around Quality and Food Safety. Acts as a subject matter expert in Quality and Food Safety for the plant. Responsibilities: * Manage and implement the plant Quality Management System according to directives and expectations. Collaborate with the plant management team to maintain, modify, and improve the Quality System. * Anticipate and respond to regulatory agency requirements and reports related to food safety. * Make collaborative food safety and quality decisions regarding ingredients, in-process product and finished product conformance. * Conduct mock plant internal audit functions and activities in order to be Primus GFS audit ready. * Serve as a member of the facility Food Safety Team, and develop Hazard Analyses, HACCP/Preventive Control plans, and ensures compliance with HACCP, FSMA, and all regulatory requirements. * Manage sample retention and evaluation program. * Publish regular and ad hoc reports on key Quality and Food Safety metrics. Analyzes data for process improvement opportunities. * Serve as a backup to the other Quality Manager and Assistant Quality Assurance Managers, as needed. Work schedule times and days may vary, including weekends. * Facilitate investigation and corrective actions in response to customer and consumer product quality and food safety-related questions and complaints. Assist with related corrective action plans and implementation as necessary. * Provide training to QA Leads and technicians, as well as other members of the plant team, under the direction of the QA Manager. * Research opportunities to reduce system costs as appropriate. * Ensure that any issues are addressed and corrected in a timely manner. * Other duties as assigned. * SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES- Manage and direct the duties and responsibilities of the Assistant Quality Assurance Manager. Requirements and Specialized Skills: * Bachelors' or associate's degree in food technology, Food Science, Microbiology or other related field. * Minimum of 3 years in Quality and Food Safety Management in a food manufacturing environment. * USDA-inspected operations experience is strongly preferred. * PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; sit and use hands to touch, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. * WORK ENVIRONMENT Significant time in cold or hot working environment in warehouse area. * Compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). * Understanding basic concepts of food borne illness and prevention. * Must obtain HACCP Certification upon hire. * Must obtain PCQI Certification upon hire. Qualifications: * Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. * Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods. * English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. * Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. * Strong office computer skills and proficiency to utilize a variety of computer programs and systems. * Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.