Director of Quality

Do you love snacks? Are you looking to join an ever evolving and rapidly growing team? PIM Brands might just be exactly what you’re looking for!At PIM, We Make The Brands You Love. Our portfolio of products, from Welch’s Fruit Snacks to Sun-Maid Chocolate Raisins and Sour Jacks Sour Candies are enjoyed by millions of consumers every day. And when it comes to careers, we seek talented, results-oriented individuals who want to play a part in building amazing brands and products while working in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-paced office environment. At PIM, you can make an immediate and lasting contribution to help grow iconic snack and confectionery brands, no matter your area of expertise.We are looking for a Director of Quality interested in a career with a top-ranked and growing snack company, to join our QC department at PIM’s Somerset site in New Jersey. This position will report to our Chief R&D and Production officer.Job OverviewDirect and manage the Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), and Laboratory departments to ensure consistent adherence to meet the demands of a busy production environment without any process interruptions and 24/7 compliance with regulatory and organizational standards.Develop and communicate strategic direction for the department in anticipation of evolving FDA/GFSI regulatory requirements.Responsible for maintaining certification standards by updating and maintaining the Food Safety & Quality System by training, auditing, and maintenance of QA related documents, as well as reassessment and validation of policies and procedures. Additional responsibility is to ensure that all facilities are clean, sanitized and Food safety & Quality compliant.Duties and ResponsibilitiesInitiates, defines, implements, maintains and enforces manufacturing procedures, HACCP manual, GMP's and SOP's to continuously improve manufacturing quality, sanitation and safetyActs as the SQF Practitioner with responsibility to lead the development and implementation of food safety fundamentals and the food safety plan and food quality planActs as the Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) with responsibility to oversee or perform preparation of the Food Safety Plan, validation of the preventive controls, records review, reanalysis of the Food Safety Plan, and other activities as appropriate to the foodMaintains current customer and regulatory quality system requirementsReport food safety and quality issues to Plant management and SQFFollow PIM Brands GMP rulesMonitor fellow employees for adherence to GMP’sEducate and instruct plant personnel in recommended equipment define the proper cleaning and sanitation/safety procedures and overall maintenance of equipmentAssists with plant and production management on better operational procedures to improve overall efficiency and product yieldsActs as the SQF Practitioner with responsibility to lead the development and implementation of food safety fundamentals and the food safety plan/food quality planOversees the development, implementation, review, maintenance and ensures the integrity of the SQF systemCommunicates all essential information to ensure the effective implementation and maintenance of the SQF systemResponsible for all food safety, QA, QC training, and employee training, reviews, validates and verifies SQF system annually-Arrange GMP training for sanitation, safety, and on safe use of chemicals as appropriate.Assists production and QC with root cause assessments and corrective action processes to address product deviationsWorks closely with and provides coverage for QC ManagerAssists R&D, QC and manufacturing with special projectsSchedules, coordinates and leads customer, internal and governmental auditsConduct management meetings with manufacturing and department heads to review program organizational policies, to coordinate functions and operations between departments, and to establish responsibilities and procedures for attaining objectives in Quality, Sanitation and Safety.Work with purchasing manager to ensure vendor management program includes quality review for all suppliers, including review of new suppliersValidate effectiveness of SSOP’sCarry out all QC/QA directives as they pertain to plant cleaning and sanitationAbility to work additional hours as neededEducation, Experience and TrainingBachelor's degree in biological science chemistry, microbiology, food science or manufacturing strongly preferredMaster’s Degree preferredMinimum 5 years’ experience in QA/QC, food laboratory and/or food and beverage production requiredExperience in the implementation of SQF Level 2 or 3 ProgramHACCP and SQF CertifiedFood industry experience requiredComputer proficiency and skills in EXCEL, Word, Microsoft Office and other software programsMust possess excellent analytical, problem solving and organization skillsWilling to be trainedAbility to read, speak, and write English is essential, fluent in Spanish and/or English are preferred.Worksite:The PIM Brands Manufacturing Site is located in Somerset, New JerseyThe PIM Brands Manufacturing Site is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a weekThis position requires working onsite.Physical Demands:Standing, walking, sitting, bending, reaching, kneeling and crouching. Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools and controls. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated and considered to enable an individual to perform the essential job functions.Work Environment:Job will generally be performed in the manufacturing plant. When on the plant floor it is representative of a large, busy manufacturing operation. Noisy, active, objects on the floor, constant movement and traffic flow of motorized equipment. Hair net, beard net, assigned work uniform, protective eye wear and gloves are among the GMP required apparel that must be worn, if indicated, on the plant floor.We are proud to offer:Total compensation package including bonus, 401(k) plan match and other incentives (*based on eligibility and position)Comprehensive benefits package - EFFECTIVE DAY 1, Including medical, dental, vision, disability, insurance plans and much moreDiverse range of benefit choices tailored to support you in making optimal decisions for yourself, your loved ones, and your preferred way of lifePersonal time off, vacation time, floating days and observed holidaysBusiness casual dressEntrepreneurial and innovative culture offering the opportunity for internal career advancementAwards & Accolades:#10 Candy Company in North America#26 Global Candy CompanyMakers of Welch’s - #1 Fruit Snack in U.S.2024 Advocate of the Year AwardRecognized by NJBIA - State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility and in Research/Development 2024Recognized by New Jersey Business Magazine 2024Top 100 Privately Owned Company in the Metro NYC MarketTop 50 Employer in New JerseyPIM Brands is an Equal Opportunity EmployerPIM Brands is an e-Verify Employer#LI-PB1#SOM123 #J-18808-Ljbffr