Quality Assurance Manager

About Harvest Hill: Harvest Hill Beverage Company is one of the nation's largest independent branded beverage producers, delivering consistent annual revenue growth, with sales over $1 billion. The company was formed in June 2014 with the acquisition of Juicy Juice, and further expanded with 3 subsequent acquisitions which were consolidated into one company in May 2017. Our portfolio of iconic brands includes Juicy Juice®, SunnyD®, Veryfine®, Fruit2O®, Little HUG®, Daily's Cocktails®, and Nutrament®. We manufacture, market, and distribute across multi-channelsincluding Grocery, Mass Merchandisers, Warehouse Clubs, Convenience, Foodservice, and Liquor Distributors. Harvest Hill is headquartered in Stamford, CT with a nationwide network of manufacturing and distribution facilities, employing over 1,000 employees in the United States. For more information, visit harvesthill.com. Position Summary: Site Quality Manager will champion Harvest Hill quality systems, implement quality improvement, gauge site performance through GMP's, lead compliance to site SQF, FDA and HHBC policies. QA Manager will build team performance, bench strength in QA Lab systems and generate employee improvement plans. Primarily a day shift position, however shifts may vary based on manufacturing needs. Primary Position Responsibilities: Work in unison with the site Quality Leaders, site operations and the Corporate Quality leadership team on maintaining a safe, quality working environment. Serve as the site SQF Practitioner ensuring SQF training and execution. Ensure that the documentation and corrective actions are in place for all reported conditions that may pose a risk to product food safety and/or quality. Develop and maintain a fully effective Food Safety and Quality system in accordance with SQF, HACCP and FSMA standards. Internal audit system owner for the site leading all Federal, State, Organic and customer audits. Serve as the site HACCP/HARPC champion (formal training required). Set food safety and quality improvement goals for the site and drive appropriate action plans to meet these goals. Be an active member of the HHBC Quality Pillar Team for effective support and 'best practice' reapplication opportunities. Ensure a trained back-up exists to take on food safety & quality responsibilities. Ensure teams are trained in Food Safety and Quality systems and procedures and understand their roles and responsibilities. Leverage employee's capabilities to achieve optimal quality results. Build the core structure through guidance and support of the core teams. Provide coaching and feedback across the site on product quality and food safety and ensures effective deployment of Federal, State & Local Regulations, Policies, Manufacturing Standards, Ensure that all exceptions to company and local requirements regarding product quality are followed up in accordance with company policy. Implement and communicate corporate changes including the process for the site Formula Cards, Specifications and Standards and Operating Procedures. Represent the food safety/quality function in the Change Control and Project Approval systems, support new product initiatives and lead site rollout. QI (Quality Incident)/ Quality/ Near Miss Reporting Systems Owner. Represent the Consumer at the site, through root cause analysis, retain sample evaluations and investigations. Trend opportunities and develop concrete improvement plans as necessary in business decisions to protect the interests of the Consumer. Manage the site food safety/ quality daily management system (DMS) scorecard, track and report key performance indicator and owns the Hold and Release systems at the site (Materials and Finished Product). Manage the Lab budget and associated PO' s, prepare orders, manage & maintain lab materials and supplies. Work closely with Lab Vendors & OEMs to maintain strict adherence to lab equipment tolerances and specifications. Some and travel may be required. Position Qualifications: Background in beverage operations and Quality/Food Safety with successful and well-demonstrated capacity to lead site quality programs. Thoughtful yet efficient decision-making skills are important in this role. Demonstrated strength in system ownership, priority setting, Interpersonal skills. Must have proven effectiveness in communicating/interacting with cross functional teams. Must be self-motivated. Must have strong time management skills. Prior experience in a position of responsibility in relation to the management of the site's SQF system is necessary. Must have a track record of competency in implementing and maintaining HACCP/HARPC based food safely plans. Must understand the SQF code and the requirements relevant to the scope of certification. Experience conducting annual Internal SQF audit and leading annual External SQF certification audits required. Must have experience in a role with responsibilities for corrective action plans for both internal SQF audits and the annual SQF certification audit are identified, completed, and documented. Must have experience in a role with responsibilities for validating changes to Food Safety Fundamentals (SQF system, Food Safety HACCP Plan, Pre-requisite Programs). Must have experience in a role with responsibilities for validation and verification activities of food safety fundamentals, critical limits, food safety controls listed in the food safety plan(s) and pre-requisite programs. Must have experience providing training in SQF requirements and an understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Must have experience Supplying coaching and feedback to SQF code owners and site personnel including experience reinforcing Food Safety Expectations and ensuring an effective HACCP program is in place. Experience ensuring people understand that Food Safety is Everyone's Responsibility and that all risks to product food safety and quality are reported immediately to their supervisor is required. Must possess the ability to take appropriate action to maintain the integrity of the SQF System. Has the knowledge and comfort to report gaps and action plans to senior Quality and Plant management regarding system performance and suitability of SQF system and is comfortable presenting FSMS information for senior management reviews so that actions for improvement can be determined. Supervisory Responsibilities: Directly supervises two employees in the Quality operation and blending. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies. Food Safety Culture: Promote a culture of shared values, beliefs and norms that affect mind-set and behavior toward food safety in, across and throughout our organization. Education and Experience: BS degree in related field (Food Science, Food Microbiology, Health Science, Biology) is desired. Certifications in HACCP, SQF (GFSI), Internal/Supplier Auditing, FSPCA and Principles of Food Microbiology are preferred. Candidates must have a current HACCP certification or must complete certification within 3 months of obtaining the Quality Manager Role. Skilled in MS Office Word and Excel. *THE ABOVE IS NOT MEANT NOR SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXCLUSIVE LIST OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES*