Plant Quality Manager

Plant Quality Manager

At Niagara, we're looking for team members who want to be part of achieving our mission to provide our customers the highest quality most affordable bottled water.

Consider applying here, if you want to:

• Work in an entrepreneurial and dynamic environment with a chance to make an impact.
• Develop lasting relationships with great people.
• Have the opportunity to build a satisfying career.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages for our team members.

Essential functions:

• Lead the facility in all food safety, packaging quality, and product quality related activities.
• Serve as the primary plant liaison within the facility for all company quality assurance initiatives, Niagara corporate quality, and third party audits.
• Trend analytical data and develop initiatives to improve plant performance against Niagara quality measures and ensure plant compliance with company and regulatory standards.
• Track, analyze, and lead root cause analysis for all quality and customer complaint issues within the plant.
• Ensure compliance and record keeping for all mandated quality checks, testing, sampling, and sanitation activities within the plant.
• Monitor the microbiological program; collect and conduct microbiological analysis of product and process samples when necessary.
• Perform water testing equipment evaluations and calibrations.
• Conduct regular reviews of the facility's prerequisite programs, GMP compliance, and sanitation compliance.
• Serve as the facility food safety program coordinator, HACCP coordinator, and SQF practitioner.
• Manage budgeting, purchasing, and inventory of QA operating supplies such as filters, chemicals, and lab supplies.
• Monitor the performance and competencies of plant QA staff and provide leadership, coaching, discipline, and development as needed.
• Assist the research & development team with formulation adjustments, product evaluations, and product launch activities.
• Maintain a safe work environment and support all plant safety programs.
• Assist with weekend and holiday coverage as needed.
• Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without prior notice.

Qualifications:

• Minimum qualifications:
• 6 years – experience in field or similar manufacturing environment
• 6 years – experience in position
• 4 years – experience managing people/projects
• *experience may include a combination of work experience and education
• Computer literate with proficiency in, but not limited to: Microsoft Office applications, Visio, Oracle business systems, Infinity QS, etc.
• Detail-oriented with excellent oral and written communication skills
• Knowledge of water chemistry, microbiological analysis methods, chemical analysis methods, laboratory systems, and beverage sanitation practices
• Demonstrated ability to use data for creative problem solving, experience using statistical software packages
• Preferred qualifications:
• 10+ years – experience in field or similar manufacturing environment
• 10+ years – experience working in position
• 6 years – experience managing people/projects
• *experience may include a combination of work experience and education

Competencies:

This position embodies the values of Niagara's LIFE competency model, focusing on the following key drivers of success:

• Lead Like an Owner
• Manages a safe working environment, accurately documents safety related training, and effectively communicates safety incidents
• Provides strategic input and oversight to departmental projects
• Makes data driven decisions and develops sustainable solutions
• Skilled in reducing costs and managing timelines while prioritizing long run impact over short term wins
• Makes decisions by putting overall company success first before department/individual success
• Leads/facilitates discussions to get positive outcomes for the customer
• Makes strategic decisions which prioritize the needs of the customer over departmental/individual goals
• InnovACT
• Continuously evaluates existing programs and processes, and develops new initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce waste
• Creates, monitors, and responds to departmental performance metrics to drive continuous improvement
• Communicates a clear vision, organizes resources effectively, and adjusts the strategy as needed when managing change
• Find a Way
• Demonstrates ability to think analytically and synthesize complex information
• Effectively delegates technical tasks to subordinates
• Works effectively with departments, vendors, and customers to achieve organizational success
• Identifies opportunities for collaboration in strategic ways
• Empowered to be Great
• Makes hiring decisions primarily based on culture fit and attitude, and secondarily based on technical expertise
• Engages in long term talent planning
• Provides opportunities for the development of all direct reports
• Understands, identifies, and addresses conflict within own team and between teams

Education:

• Minimum required:
• Bachelor's degree in food science/technology, chemistry, microbiology, engineering, or other related field
• Preferred:
• Master's degree in food science/technology, chemistry, microbiology, engineering, or other related field

Certification/License:

• Required: N/A
• Preferred: HACCP certification

Foreign language:

• Required: None required
• Preferred: None required

Benefits:

Our total rewards package is thoughtfully designed to support both you and your family:

Regular full-time team members are offered a comprehensive benefits package, while part-time, intern, and seasonal team members are offered a limited benefits package.

• Paid time off for holidays, sick time, and vacation time
• Paid parental and caregiver leaves
• Medical, including virtual care options
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) with company match
• Health savings account with company match
• Flexible spending accounts
• Expanded mental wellbeing benefits including free counseling sessions for all team members and household family members
• Family building benefits including enhanced fertility benefits for IVF and fertility preservation plus adoption, surrogacy, and doula reimbursements
• Income protection including life and AD&D, short and long-term disability, critical illness, and an accident plan
• Special discount programs including pet plans, pre-paid legal services, identity theft, car rental, airport parking, etc.
• Tuition reimbursement, college savings plan, and scholarship opportunities
• And more!