Assistant Quality Assurance Manager

At Thrifty Ice Cream, we're passionate about creating smiles with every scoop. As one of California's most iconic ice cream brands, we take pride in producing high-quality ice cream while delivering exceptional experiences to our customers at events, retail locations, and community gatherings. We're a growing company that values teamwork, reliability, and a positive attitude. Whether you're serving guests, supporting special events, or helping behind the scenes, you'll be part of a dedicated team that believes in working hard, having fun, and sharing the joy of Thrifty Ice Cream with every customer. Description The Quality Assurance Supervisor will lead the activities of Quality Assurance Technicians, and direct quality assurance activities on the factory floor while maintaining a close rapport with production and the rest of the Quality team to identify, solve and prevent problems affecting quality. A key position within the Quality Team providing expertise and support to the Operations department and factory Management staff, fostering a cross departmental quality and compliance mind-set in order to produce safe, high-quality products in a cost-effective manner. Responsibilities Managing and overseeing Hold and complaint management programs with trend analysis Overseeing the EMP program and trend analysis Responsible for all other supervisory activities including, but not limited to, labor budget management, performance evaluation, hiring, discipline, coaching, training and development and termination recommendation. Coordinates with the production team, the monitoring of processes and procedures to ensure products are manufactured in conformance with Good Manufacturing Practices, Food Safety Practices and customer specifications. Ensures the execution and efficacy of key QA technicians' tasks such as the sampling and assessment of production samples to ensure that products meet internal and customer‑specific food safety & quality standards; propose improvement plans when gaps or improvement opportunities are discerned. Ensure customer/internal records are reviewed and submitted on a timely basis. Report and create corrective actions for deficiencies and missing data. Collaborates with other Quality sub‑teams to manage release of finished products after proper record review. Administers the product hold, rework, return and recall program. Utilize Data analysis and develop metrics to bring visibility to current status and historical data for upper management team. Collaborate with other Quality Team members or cross‑functional team members to produce and distribute reports analyzing food safety and quality compliance trends, efficacy and efficiency improvement as well as cost‑savings opportunities. Report routinely to management where unacceptable QA or Food Safety results or improvement recommendations have been identified. Prepares reports that document testing activities, test results, and operational issues involving product quality and safety and present to factory, Plant Management and Corporate. Facilitate transitions between shifts and seamless handoffs and communicate key information to peers, team members and Production Management. Communicate effectively with the department, factory, Plant Management and Corporate. Acts as a communication liaison between management and quality staff to support corporate and plant‑driven initiatives. Utilize 5 Why Root Cause Analysis process for the investigation of consumer and customer complaints and quality related issues. Develops, uploads/presents corrective actions, monitors for effectiveness and generates trending reports. Ensures an active GMP and internal quality audit program in compliance with the Quality policies and the latest edition of the SQF Level 3 code. Ensures review, verification and update of HACCP/HARPC plans, SOPs as needed; leads the training of associates at all levels on quality programs as directed. Participates in continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities and recommending changes primarily within own area of responsibility in order to improve Quality metrics and KPIs in the factory. Assists in the development of and operation of QM Pillar and the associated team activities. Supports factory traceability exercises. Supports in all regulatory, third party and customer audits and inspections as directed. Manage relationships with internal and external customers, suppliers, colleagues, and support services to ensure achievement of departmental and company‑wide targets. Supports in training programs for all plant individuals on food safety and quality related topics. Supports in special projects and generates summary of projects' performance. Develop shift report for QA techs to bring visibility to daily in process QC check pass rates. Serve as a backup for the QA Manager and perform QA Manager duties and responsibilities in his/her absence. Must act as SQF Practitioner and have experience with other GFSI initiatives Regular physical attendance during determined work hours is an essential function of this position. Occasional physical attendance during 3rd shift and weekend (driven by activities such as Month Town Hall Meetings, Plant Trials, customer visits and any other plant emergencies) is an essential function of this position. Ability to provide over-the-phone support during off‑shift is an essential function of this position. Experience, Skills and Education Required A minimum of 3-6 years of related, food manufacturing experience. Supervisory of hourly employees preferred. Familiarity with dairy laboratory analysis. 3-5 years’ experience using standard dairy laboratory analysis equipment. Quality Management Food Safety Has working familiarity with FDA nutrition labeling regulations Ability to create SOPs from scratch Ability to use excel for data analysis and create graphs to facilitate discussions Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Proficient personal computer skills including electronic mail, record keeping, routine database activity, word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, etc. Physical Demands While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs, balance; stoop, kneel or crouch; talk and hear. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty‑five pounds. #J-18808-Ljbffr