Quality Systems & Positive Release Manager

QUALITY SYSTEMS & POSITIVE RELEASE MANAGER

COMPANY SUMMARY (“Who are we?”)

At The Honest Kitchen, we believe pets deserve the same quality of food as the humans who love them. As pioneers of human grade pet food, we use thoughtfully sourced ingredients and gentle preparation methods to create foods that are as wholesome as they are nutritious. We’re a purpose-driven, growth-minded, proud B Corp, (which is a legal corporate structure that allows us to operate and make decisions based upon a triple bottom line, factoring in social and environmental impacts right alongside our prioritization of long-term financial sustainability!) company made up of people who care deeply about pets, their parents, and each other. If you’re looking to do meaningful work in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment where your ideas can make a real impact, you’ll feel right at home here.

We strive for an inclusive work culture that supports a diverse array of skills, experiences, and perspectives our employees bring to the table. For us, differences are a source of strength. We celebrate strong performance and ethical processes, and we work hard every day to nurture an inclusive culture where all employees can innovate and thrive. Here, you will not only build your career, but you will also uncover new experiences and collaborate with passionate colleagues.

The Honest Kitchen values a diverse workforce. Everyone, including women, people of color, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are strongly encouraged to apply. The Honest Kitchen believes that an equitable and inclusive work environment and a diverse, empowered team are key to achieving our mission. We’re looking for candidates who can expand our business culture by bringing their whole, authentic selves to work. We strive to provide all qualified candidates with an equitable and accessible recruitment process.

POSITION SUMMARY (“What are we looking for?”)

The Quality Systems & Positive Release Manager owns The Honest Kitchen’s quality management system (QMS) and positive release program across THM and all co-manufacturers. The role is responsible for Systems Development, Document Management, Quality Alerts & Traceability, and the Positive Release Program.

Vendor-facing programs (supplier approval, COA review, material specifications, NCRs and SCARs) sit with the Vendor QA Technologist at THM. This role partners closely with that position so that specifications, testing requirements and release decisions stay aligned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Systems Development

• Design, build and continuously improve THK’s QMS so it is scalable, audit-ready and consistent across THM and co-manufacturers.
• Responsible for the QMS framework: quality policy, quality manual, program owners and procedure hierarchy (policies, SOPs, work instructions, forms).
• Manage deviation, CAPA and change control processes, including tracking, effectiveness checks and trending.
• Maintain the internal audit program against SQF and FSMA requirements, and track findings to closure.
• Maintain the quality training matrix and records, and confirm training is completed when procedures change.
• Lead quality systems technology (Smartsheet, SafeFood360, SharePoint, AI tools) to automate workflows, reduce manual work and improve turnaround.
• Build and maintain QMS metrics and dashboards for leadership reviews.

Document Management

• Manage THK’s document control process: creation, review, approval, issuance, revision, obsolescence and archival of all controlled documents.
• Maintain the master document list and specification index, with version control and a 12-month review cycle.
• Ensure all documents meet SQF, FSMA and customer requirements and are accessible for audits and inspections.
• Manage record retention and archival in line with regulatory and SQF requirements.
• Coordinate document updates driven by new products, process changes, audits and CAPAs.

Quality Alerts & Traceability

• Own the quality alert process: issue, communicate and track quality alerts and hold notifications across THM, co-manufacturers and 3PL warehouses.
• Maintain the hold log and drive timely disposition (release, rework or destruction) with documented approvals.
• Lead mock recall and traceability exercises at THM and each co-manufacturer at least annually, and close gaps found.
• Maintain one-up/one-down lot traceability records from raw ingredient to finished product and customer.
• Support recall execution, market withdrawals and product disposition with the Directors and Regulatory.

Positive Release Program

• Manage positive release of finished products and, where required, raw ingredients, by ensuring that:
  • Required testing is complete and results conform to specifications.
  • Production and release documentation is complete and reviewed.
  • Plant and warehouse personnel are notified of hold or release status.
• Maintain the rolling testing schedule and testing requirements by product, and manage third-party laboratory relationships and data.
• Review laboratory protocols, reports and investigations, and lead out-of-specification (OOS) investigations with corrective actions.
• Trend release and testing data (cycle time, OOS rate, on-time release) and communicate results to internal teams and co-manufacturers.
• Partner with R&D to set release programs and validate guaranteed analysis for new and renovated products before commercialization.

Other

• Support SQF, regulatory and customer audits with QMS, document and release records.
• Perform other duties as required to support the Quality team or internal stakeholders.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• 95% or more of conforming lots released within 10 days (excluding products with extended test times)
• OOS investigations opened within 2 business days and closed on time
• 100% of controlled documents reviewed within the last 12 months
• Annual mock recall at THM and each co-manufacturer, with 100% of product reconciled within the target time
• 100% of holds dispositioned and documented within target timeframes
• 90% or more of CAPAs and internal audit findings closed on time

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Excellent attention to detail and organization.
• Systems thinker, able to design simple, scalable processes.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Sound independent judgment on hold and release decisions.
• Strong communication with co-manufacturers, labs and internal teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Smartsheet and quality management systems (e.g., SafeFood360).
• Must love animals and be passionate about their health.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, Animal Science or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of quality assurance experience, including quality systems or document control, with pet food industry experience strongly preferred.
• SQF Practitioner and PCQI preferred.
• Understanding of GMPs, HACCP and FSMA Preventive Controls.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Travel up to 30%.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• This role is performed mainly in an office or remote environment.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% or more of the time.
• Must be able to operate a computer and other office machinery, such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information.
• Must be able to observe details at close range and for long periods.
• Must be able to move around various buildings/plants when visiting sites.
• Occasionally move items that weigh up to 20 pounds.

The salary range for this role is: $85,000 - $90,000/year

WHY YOU’LL LOVE WORKING HERE (“What makes us different?”)

• Mission-driven brand making a real difference in pets’ lives

• High-growth environment with room to shape strategy and programs

• Collaborative, values-led culture that supports both people and pets

• Opportunity to work on a category-leading, human-grade brand with strong consumer loyalty

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THE HONEST KITCHEN (“What do we offer?”)

We offer a competitive compensation package, including salary and robust employee benefits. Some key highlights include:

• Time off: We offer a highly competitive time off schedule, including unlimited vacation and additional sick time, in addition to a generous company-paid holiday schedule.
• Benefits: Various health insurance plans with generous employer contributions to premiums. We also offer vision, dental, short-term disability, long-term disability, accident, critical illness, an employee assistance program, and an FSA/HSA.
• Financial wellness : Enjoy perks like a company 401K with an employer match.
• Mission Driven : Employees can take up to 40 hours of volunteer time a year, and we offer donation matching to non-profit organizations of your choosing.
• Pet Friendly: Pet-friendly offices, zoom calls, discounts on pet insurance, and of course, free pet food!
• Collaborative Team: We offer a fun, team-oriented work environment where you feel like you are making a difference every day.

Ready to help bring better food to more bowls? We’d love to hear from you.

As a Public Benefit Corporation, our company's practices and outputs are assessed and evaluated across five categories: Governance, Workers, Community, The Environment, and Customers. We track our social and environmental impact over time and publicly disclose our performance in our annual impact report.

As an employee of a Certified B Corp, it is required that in performing your role, you factor social and environmental impacts into decision-making and actions as they pertain to your role with The Honest Kitchen, so as to ensure that our actions make a positive impact where possible.

*The Honest Kitchen is an equal opportunity employer. The Company’s policy prohibits discrimination based on race, religious creed (which includes religious dress and grooming practices), color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status.