Own Brand Quality Assurance Product Quality Mgr I - Non-Food

Own Brand Quality Assurance Product Quality Manager I – Non‑Food San Antonio, TX About H‑E‑B H‑E‑B is one of the nation’s largest, independently owned retailers, operating over 400 stores throughout Texas and Mexico, with annual sales generating over $31 billion. Our Quality Assurance Team is committed to delivering safe food and consumer products that meet H‑E‑B quality expectations. With a broad product portfolio, focus areas include hardline and softline products sold in the General Merchandise department as well as private‑label products sold in Drugstore and Beauty. We ensure safe products from supplier to customers’ homes. Job Responsibilities Manage individual business category work for product development, supplier and product qualification and maintenance. Collaborate with multiple teams and suppliers throughout project execution. Become an Owner in the company, demonstrating commitment, hard work, and focus on quality and customer service. Build collaborative business relationships (HEART FOR PEOPLE). Apply strong operational knowledge in manufacturing systems and product safety/quality management (HEAD FOR BUSINESS). Drive results and ensure products and suppliers comply with H‑E‑B and regulatory standards (PASSION FOR RESULTS). Serve as a knowledgeable resource in assigned business categories for product safety and quality, product development, and supplier management. Engage within cross‑functional teams in the qualification and maintenance of Own Brand products or products perceived as H‑E‑B brand. Conduct risk assessments to determine risk levels associated with suppliers, products, processes, and projects; communicate potential/realized risk to leadership. Utilize project management skills to advance development and maintenance projects by following established quality processes for supplier assessments, product specifications, and product approvals. Perform a broad range of quality assurance activities to mitigate product risk as assigned on a project basis; collaborate with multiple internal/external teams and suppliers throughout project scope. Lead qualification of supplier facilities producing Own Brand products or products perceived by customers as H‑E‑B brand and elevate risk or timeline concerns to the cross‑functional team. Ensure product specifications are adequately defined to meet customer/business requirements and that production is executed based on the product design or formulation. Collaborate with product development and suppliers to ensure products meet intended lifecycle or shelf‑life requirements. Verify compliance of facility‑level claims such as gluten‑free and allergen programs are in accordance with regulatory guidance and H‑E‑B standards (when applicable for non‑food items). Determine supplier compliance with FDA, CPSC, DOE, FTC, and other applicable international, federal, state, and local regulations in assigned categories. Ensure supplier compliance with H‑E‑B’s requirements for site security, social responsibility, and quality management systems. Conduct facility assessments of existing/current manufacturing Own Brand products to verify they continue to meet H‑E‑B’s Product Safety and Quality Standards. Conduct maintenance/brand‑health assessments of products to hold suppliers accountable to consistently meet product specifications and standards. Manage investigation of product or facility‑related issues and ensure suppliers conduct effective root‑cause analysis and corrective/preventive action. Escalate supplier/facility performance risks to leadership to collaborate on QA recommendations to stakeholders on facility status, product withdrawals, recalls, disposition, and supplier performance action plans. Serve as the communication link between H‑E‑B, agents, and any other 3rd‑party service providers such as testing labs and audit/inspection companies to execute verification activities to meet H‑E‑B, industry, and regulatory standards. Maintain strong relationships and work collaboratively with Procurement, Product Development, Customer Insights, Own Brand, Sourcing, Compliance, Regulatory, and other areas to achieve business goals and objectives. Collaborate with all areas of the QA organization to continuously improve execution of programs and great products. Apply knowledge and research to assigned categories in these areas: emerging risks and governing agencies, current/proposed local, state, federal, and international regulations (including import compliance), prerequisite programs such as integrated pest management, GMPs, allergen control, prevention of foreign material contamination, master sanitation, product fraud, preventive equipment maintenance, and statistical tools/Statistical Process Control (SPC). Support implementation of department processes, standards, policies, and projects in a timely manner. Follow cost‑saving and reduction measures for assigned area. Perform Product Quality Technologist tasks such as monitoring critical safety events, generating ad‑hoc reports for data analysis, or other assigned tasks as needed. Required Qualifications A bachelor’s degree in food science, physical, life, or applied science such as engineering or related field (master’s/graduate degree preferred). At least 5 years of related experience. At least 2 years of experience in quality systems auditing. Experience working in a team environment and influencing business decisions. Experience in quality assurance in a manufacturing setting (preferred). Experience in retail or consumer products (preferred). Industry‑specific certifications/training based on area(s) of responsibility. Preferred Skills & Experience Strong operational knowledge in manufacturing systems, product safety and quality management, HACCP/HARPC, GMPs, sanitation SOPs, statistical process control, risk assessment, and quality auditing. Ability to conduct product safety risk assessments to ensure due diligence to local, state, and federal requirements. Understanding of Global Retailer and Manufacturer Alliance (GRMA) foundational principles and industry‑specific requirements for consumer products. Ability to manage multiple priorities/deadlines and shift focus between tasks; attention to detail. Ability to collaborate, solve problems cross‑functionally, and provide proactive solutions with limited direction or input. Ability to provide data to stakeholders to influence business decisions. Strong interpersonal skills and critical thinking skills. Strong verbal/written communication skills that translate internationally. Ability to work independently and communicate with leadership as needed. Ability to develop strong knowledge of H‑E‑B systems related to supplier/product/project information and inventory management. Proficiency in MS Office applications. Proficiency in planning/scheduling tools. Job Details Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level Employment type: Full‑time Job function: Other Industry: Retail #J-18808-Ljbffr