TITLE: Plant QA Manager

(Food or Beverage Quality Experience Required)

REPORTS TO: Director of Quality Assurance

INDIRECTLY REPORTS TO: Plant Manager

LOCATION: Harrisonburg, VA

Jobs Supervised (by title):

• Plant QA Lab Tech
• Sanitation Tech

Travel: Estimated at 5% or less

Job Purpose Summary:

• This position is responsible for managing all aspects of quality at the production facility necessary for the successful control of food safety, microbiological and chemistry compliance.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Manage the quality and food safety systems for the facility in accordance with corporate directives and requirements

• Perform internal and external audits to support the Quality Management System

• Provide hands on activity and management for the performance of microbiological and chemistry related testing related to product requirements (color, Brix, pH, yeast, mold, APC). Manage lab technician and operator in-process check performance.

• Oversees and lead Customer Complaint investigations, root cause analysis and corrective action execution.

• Produce reporting for quality results and perform corrective action initiatives

• Lead internal improvement and project management teams as assigned

• Assist in the training of facility teams for quality related activities

• Assist with mock recalls and other actions to test the systems for compliance

• Manage internal databases for documentation and testing data

• Disposition of nonconforming product and raw materials

• Organize customer orders with Production, coordinate carriers, and keep customers updated.

· Back up lab technician and/or provide plan with operations, tech 2 support

SQF Responsibilities:

• Serves at the Primary SQF Practitioner at the plant site, PCQI Certification is required

• Oversee the development, implementation, review and maintenance of the plant SQF System, take appropriate action to ensure the integrity of the SQF System

· Lead the facility HACCP team and Biosecurity programs

• Manage facility regulatory, customer, kosher and third party certification compliance programs

• Oversee quality related documentation and certifications

• Member of the Business Continuity Planning Team

• Leads the plant SQF Management Reviews and SQF Updates

• Leads the annual review of the HACCP Plan/Food Safety Plan, cooperates with Food Fraud Vulnerability and Mitigation Plan

• Responsible for CAPA, Traceability, Product and Equipment Hold Programs

• Involved in the New Product Development process (customer-specific specification changes)

• Oversees food safety GMP training of Service Providers and Contractors

• Maintain supplier documentation and COAs from all plant suppliers

• Maintain product specifications of all plant customers

Minimum Qualifications:

A. Education and Experience:

• Degree: BS in Microbiology, Food Science / Technology or equivalent experience

• 2 years previous quality assurance experience in food manufacturing environments including audit experience.

• 5 years experience in quality laboratory measuring for microbiological compliance.

· Equipment sanitation understanding

· Must have general knowledge of regulatory and kosher compliance requirements.

B. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must be adaptable and flexible

• Must be organized and analytical

• Excellent communication / presentation skills

• Ability to work independently

• Excellent recordkeeping / documentation skills

• Basic understanding of microbiological and chemistry testing procedures

• Basic understanding of laboratory testing equipment

• Understanding of current laws and regulations related to food manufacturing

• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Nonessential Qualifications:

• SQF Certification

• Six Sigma certification at the Green Belt level

Materials and Equipment Directly Used:

• Office machinery including: computers, printers, fax machines, copiers, etc.

• Microsoft Office Suite.

Working Environment / Physical Demands:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to work in dusty, wet, hot or cold environments for extended periods of time

• Requires prolonged sitting and standing, bending, stooping and climbing

• Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator, and laboratory equipment

• Requires normal range of hearing and vision (including colors) to record, prepare and communicate appropriate reports and laboratory results

• Requires lifting up to 50 pounds. Requires exposure to machines, chemicals and solvents

Work Environment:

• Must understand vague and implicit instructions and react favorably in all work situations.

• Must be mentally adaptable and flexible in dealing with a variety of people.

• Emotional stability and personal maturity are important attributes in this position.

• Must be able to resolve problems, handle conflict and make decisions under pressure.

• Ability to give, to receive, and analyze information, formulate work plans and prepare written materials and articulate goals and action plans.

• Must understand people and be able to communicate effectively.

• Ability to do basic math calculations, input data into a computer and analyze data is required.