Quality Manager

Our vision is both simple and ambitious: to put our drinks on every table. We are the leading global independent beverage solutions provider serving a broad range of national and international retailers and GNE brands. Our products are distributed worldwide from production sites in Europe, North America, and Australia. Although our own branding may not appear on the labels of the beverages we produce, there is a good chance you are reading this while sipping one of our drinks. Our ambition is to continually improve and to keep us at the top of our game. We are solutions‑based, innovative, and always ready to take on new challenges. Position Overview Reporting to the Plant Manager, the Manager Quality oversees the site’s quality department with responsibility for total product/package quality, food safety/quality cost management, safety, compliance, GMPs, and executing all quality protocols to ensure Plant Quality objectives are met. Essential Job Functions Adhere to and ensure compliance with all health and safety policies, procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and PPE requirements. Adhere to and ensure compliance with food quality and food safety standards as required by corporate, customers, and governing bodies (e.g., GFSI). Directly manage the Quality team to achieve KPIs and continuous improvement project goals, track costs, reduce waste, oversee employee training, and maintain department morale. Responsible for direct management and utilization of laboratory (analytical and microbiology), water treatment, syrup blending, sanitation, microbiological equipment, raw materials, and all quality processes. Optimize resources to ensure raw materials and finished products meet specifications and manufacturing standards in accordance with FDA, CFIA, GMPs, HACCP, SQF, and all other governmental policies. Maintain compliance with third‑party food safety and quality certification requirements and continually improve the facility’s food safety and quality management systems. Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve the SQF System and related food safety and quality requirements. Oversee daily quality inspections to ensure all products meet compliance. Write, update, and maintain SOPs for the Quality Program. Champion the internal audit process through continuous improvements, shared best practices, and teamwork. Understand plant financials, fixed and variable costs, and how other cost centers affect QC results and production volume affects all costs. Participate in capital planning, develop capital requests, and manage capital projects to successful completion. Lead development, implementation, review, and maintenance of Food Safety Fundamentals, Food Safety and Quality Plans, and the SQF program, ensuring effective communication to employees. Ensure all food safety and food quality documents are safely stored, maintained, and accessible. Manage departmental non‑conformances and implement corrective actions, ensuring all actions are documented and closed in a timely manner. Ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental regulatory, and corporate standards; investigate and identify root causes of non‑compliance. Lead personnel actions, including hiring, performance management, and termination. Provide training, direction, instruction, and performance evaluations. Guide training on work standards and expected outcomes. Plan and evaluate performance, staff training and development, recruitment, and may contribute to pay recommendations. Develop strategies focused on accident reduction and energy and waste minimization. Act as an SQF Practitioner for the facility. Lead teams in site projects such as waste reduction, validation, new product launch, etc. Required Skills Proficient in Lab Data Collection Program, Excel, Word, SAP, and PowerPoint. Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills, results oriented. Organized, detail oriented, adaptable to change. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written. Capable of applying statistical methods to analyze data and identify trends. Familiarity with GFSI, FDA, and other relevant standards and regulations preferred. Ability to read and understand the metric system. Leadership: Foster a culture of empowerment, build relationships based on trust, lead courageously, and inspire growth with a clear vision. Decision‑making: Make sound decisions under pressure, considering cost, quality, and time constraints. Strong communication skills to liaise with other departments, suppliers, and stakeholders. Education and Experience Undergraduate degree in Food Science, Quality, or related discipline or field. Minimum 5 years of direct management experience in Quality within a manufacturing environment, preferably the food/beverage industry. Knowledge of quality management systems, HACCP plans, food safety and security standards, and governmental regulations related to the food/beverage industry. SQF Practitioner certification preferred. Working Conditions Work schedule includes weekdays, weekends, afternoons, evenings, and overnight; overtime scheduled as needed. Fast‑paced production plant with moving parts; noise levels require hearing protection; temperatures can be very hot or relatively cold (laboratory is temperature controlled). The environment is structured and supervised. Sitting for periods of time. Travel Requirements Travel anticipated: Rarely. Physical Requirements Visual/Sensory: Requires attention to detail and the ability to focus on one or two senses at a time. Mental Stress: Pronounced pressure from deadlines, production quotas, accuracy, or similar demands. Other Duties This job description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Benefits Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts Life and AD&D Insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance Short‑term disability and long‑term disability Pet Insurance 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Legal Benefits Well‑being Benefit 12 Paid Holidays Vacation Days and Paid Sick Time Off Discount and Total Reward Programs Equal Opportunity Employer Refresco Beverages US Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. #J-18808-Ljbffr Refresco