Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance Manager

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing quality systems in the production plant designed to ensure continuous production of freeze-dried products and applications (consistent with established standards, customer specifications and production goals). Ensures all requirements for FSMA, SOP's, HACCP, FDA, SQF, Organic, and Kosher, are in place and compliant. Reviews and updates, as necessary. This position leads the customer development by combining technical product & application knowledge with business through understanding what our customers need to accomplish and providing data to enable customers to meet their needs. The successful candidate will develop, manage, and execute the organization's food, safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance policies and establish performance standards, procedures, and audit controls to meet business requirements. The QA Manager will develop, manage, and execute the organization's food, safety, quality assurance and regulatory compliance policies and program. The ideal candidate will have strong Project Management capabilities with an ability to manage multiple projects across multiple customers and apply efficient approaches to analytical and reporting processes. The QA Manager will participate in internal audits including second- and third-party audits. Additionally, the QA Manager documents and implements inspection criteria and procedures.

Competencies:

• Living Mercer Values
• Attendance
• Performance
• Safety
• Training
• Leadership
• Quality
• Problem Solving
• Communication

Skills:

• Audits
• Compliance
• Continuous Improvement
• Critical Thinking
• Data Based Decisions
• Documentation
• Leadership
• Priorities
• Proactive Problem Solving
• Process and Policies
• Product Inspections
• Product Specifications
• Project Management
• Quality Data Standards

Requirements:

• Minimum of 10+ years' experience in food manufacturing quality assurance experience.
• Bachelor's Degree required, master's degree preferred in microbiology, food science, or chemical engineering.
• Proficiency in SQF, FSMA and other food safety and quality systems is required.
• Must be HACCP and PCQI certified.
• Travel up to 20% of the time may be required.

Food Safety Requirements:

• Place high priority on food safety, quality, and sanitation by understanding and executing Mercer Food's food safety and sanitation policies and procedures.
• Hold self and others accountable to Mercer Foods food safety & sanitation guidelines and policies by communicating any food safety incident, observation, or opportunity to your leadership team or teammates.
• In the absence of VP of QA & R&D or QC Manager, serves as back up to ensure all food safety, quality objectives and SQF system requirements are met.

Work Environment:

• The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and frequent fine finger dexterity.
• Generally, the job requires the following percentages of time committed to physical activity: 40% or more sitting, 40% or more walking, and 40% or more standing.
• The job is performed under occasional temperature variations and in a food manufacturing office environment.
• Unrestricted visual and audio abilities are required for the safety of all employees.
• The ability to lift to 40 lbs. is required.