Quality Assurance Manager at Rise Baking Company, LLC – Lancaster, New York

Job Purpose
Provide quality assurance, food safety, employee safety, and regulatory leadership to the facility by ensuring quality systems are communicated, implemented, and sustained. Ensure products, systems, and programs are consistent and meet both internal and external requirements.

Essential Functions
Oversee food safety program, quality standards, and legality of products manufactured in the facility

Maintain the facility GFSI audit standard

Ensure compliance with quality policies, procedures, cGMPs, and product specifications

Preserve the integrity of the GFSI and facility quality systems through enforcement of the policies and procedures outlined in the quality/food safety manual

Oversee Food Safety and HACCP teams, ensuring changes are reviewed in the facility as introduced and potential risks identified

Monitor quality metrics and key performance indicators and recommend changes to meet standards

Maintain and update the recall program, acting as the recall team leader

Facilitate customer complaint process and plant deviation investigations, as well as implement corrective actions for continuous improvement

Maintain supplier records ensuring compliance with regulations and guidelines

Manage the facility, the non-conforming product program for the facility, as well as implement corrective actions for continuous improvement

Participate in new product development and commercialization process, reviewing all quality and food safety changes as they occur

Oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs in the facility, e.g., safety manual, safety committee, safety auditing, etc.

Preserve the integrity of the EHS system through enforcement of the policies and procedures outlined in the safety manual; re-evaluate programs and procedures comprising the safety manual whenever process or facility changes are made

Evaluate and participate in employee accident investigations to ensure thorough root cause analysis is conducted; implement and ensure corrective actions are completed

Review facility accident statistics, monitor trends, and provide recommendations on prevention strategies

Provide guidance to the plant team on OSHA regulations

Schedule, conduct, and oversee internal and external audits of the Quality, Food Safety, and EHS systems in the facility including all local, state, and federal regulatory agencies

Maintain kosher program and other certifications (RSPO, Organic, Non-GMO) as required

Ensure employees are trained adequately on food safety, GFSI, quality assurance concepts, regulatory requirements, and employee safety

Prepare and manage departmental budgets

Interview, select, and train quality and supervisory employees

Directly manage QA Supervisor, Sanitation/Safety Supervisor, and QA administration (others as necessary)

Keep apprised of industry best practices and developments in federal, state, and local regulations that impact facility quality, food safety, and EHS systems

Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Qualifications (Education/Experience)
Bachelors degree in Food Science or related degree preferred

HACCP, PCQI, and OSHA certification preferred

Minimum 5 years of progressive and demonstrated quality assurance and food safety management leadership experience in the food industry or manufacturing industry

Proficient knowledge in food safety programs and systems: GFSI (BRC or SQF preferred), internal auditing, cGMPs, HACCP, FSMA, Sanitation

Experience leading regulatory inspections

Proven fiscal responsibility (financial planning, budgeting, financial analysis, variance reporting, etc.)

Strong computer skills including experience with ERP systems and Microsoft Office

Excellent skills in the areas of teamwork, motivation, decision making, relationship building, and coaching

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Ability to think critically and solve complex problems

Ability to organize, manage multiple priorities, and maintain high attention to detail in a fast-paced environment