Quality Assurance Manager in Anderson, Indiana at Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.

QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER

REPORTS TO: GENERAL MANAGER

LOCATION: ANDERSON, IN

FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

BENEFITS: MEDICA, DENTAL, VISION, LTD, THRIFT, LIFE INSURANCE

The successful Quality Assurance Manager is expected to develop, implement and coordinate the quality assurance program to prevent or eliminate defects in our products. Prairie Farms Dairy expects to contend for the highest inspection scores, product evaluation scores and overall plant operation awards. The QA Manager will work as an equal team member and help us obtain our goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Understand and follow: Standard Methods of Dairy Lab., Past. Milk Ordinance, HACCP, etc.

• Develop initial and subsequent modifications of quality assurance program. Develop areas of responsibility, personnel requirements and operational procedures within the program.

• Review and manage the cleaning and lab supply budgets. Understand the repair budget.

• Investigate quality issues and assist management in other departments in establishing quality procedures.

• Monitor cleanup procedures and train employees on SOPs.

• Monitor and Communicate lab test results. Work with lab technicians on procedures and techniques. Manage our product recall program.

• Conduct Facility Inspections – Communicate deficiencies and assist with corrective action.

• Manage our HACCP, SSOP, SOP, Master Sanitation and Environmental sampling programs.

• Work with wastewater affluent monitoring and assist with the safety program.

• Monitor and confer with suppliers concerning quality of their products and their standards.

• Assist Management in the development of new products produced, labeling, specifications and products sold to include product complaints.

• Assist, advise and provide training in all areas effecting quality.

• Monitor regulatory compliance.

• Keep abreast of changing technology concerning quality.

• Coordinate activities of Federal and State Agencies with respect to plant inspections and other issues. Must develop a good working relationship with regulatory inspectors.

• Take the lead in preparing for and reacting to 3rd party inspections. Develop, implement and document corrective actions.

• Supervise Lab technicians and instruct plant personnel in proper procedures. Must be able to perform in accordance with our policies and applicable laws.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Core Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in science or at least five (5) years related work experience.

• Able to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistics. Along with, being able to work with formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc.

Ability to work without direct supervision

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Must be able to follow and disseminate both written and verbal instruction.

• Must be able to work well with and direct others in the completion of tasks essential to the performance of top-quality work and cleaning procedures.

• Excellent leadership, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

Required Soft Skills:

• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.

• Coachable and willing to learn.

• Ability to quickly learn the organization’s systems.

• Proficient with and enjoy detailed work.

Competency:

• Analytical skills for data interpretation.

• Strategic thinking to develop training plans and reports.

• Strong communication skills for collaborating with various locations and personnel

Working Conditions

Perform any combination of the following tasks in dairy:

• Perform organoleptic evaluations of products.

• Must be able to lift 10lbs frequently and occasionally up to 50lbs.

• Communicate effectively in both quiet and loud conditions.

• Work around and with cleaning solutions on a daily basis.

• Work in a very humid and wet environment, in both cold and warm conditions.

• Work around, monitor, oversee and scrub pipe fittings and machines with chemical solution.

• Attach pipes and fittings to machines, using wrenches.

• Must climb, stoop, crawl, twist, turn and move objects above and below the head.

• Walk continually to perform job functions.

The successful Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for supervising all aspects of Quality Assurance. As such he or she will be required to work in varied environments, including hot, wet, cold and other. He or she will move throughout the plant and may be required to work outside as well. Will be required to travel and work on all shifts and all days of the week to ensure the quality of our product and facility. Must be able to work in both very hot (more than 100 degrees) and very cold (less than 20 degrees below zero) and in a very wet and humid environment for extended periods of time.

Must keep work area safe and clean and work in a safe and efficient manner.

About Prairie Farms – “Farmer Owned. Locally Produced. Since 1938.”

We are a farmer-owned cooperative. This means we are owned and operated by over 800+ farm families who are critical members of society. They have selflessly taken on the tremendous task of producing nutritious, high-quality milk for a growing population, which requires being on the job 24/7, 365 days a year.

We have represented American agriculture since our founding in 1938. Many of our dairy farms are operated by several generations of family members with roots dating back to the 1800s. On average, each farm milks around 120 cows and everyone pitches in to keep them happy and healthy - which means around-the-clock care!

Our Mission:

• To produce dairy products of the highest quality

• To conduct our business with professional integrity

• To exceed expectations of our customers and consumers

• To support our communities in a positive, sustainable manner

• To deliver exceptional patronage to our network of farm families

• To simply “do right” for our farm families, employees, and communities

Prairie Farms is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law