Asst Quality Assurance Manager

Join the Our Talent Network•North Lawrence, NY

1d•$70,000 - $90,000

About The Position

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day. Will assist Quality Assurance Manager to ensure all plant Quality Assurance activities follow both Upstate Niagara Cooperative Inc. and regulatory requirements. Responsible for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Sanitation Practices (GSP), quality of conformity, and quality of services. Position reports directly to the Site Quality Assurance Manager with functional reporting to the Plant Manager. Participates as a member of the plants Food Safety team and will represent Corporate Quality Assurance at the Plant level. Together with Quality Assurance Manager and Plant Management Team, will develop, implement, and maintain site Food Safety & Quality plans. Plans shall comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), all relevant SQF modules, and will meet all customer requirements. Plans will include defined roles of the quality function within the facility and communication of that role to all facility associates to assure continuous improvement. Will serve as the Document Control Coordinator for UNC Quality Assurance Department. Position maintains document registry, catalogues & communicates changes, and assures that all documents and their revisions are the most current versions in use. Travel required, as needed, to support Document Compliance for all UNC manufacturing locations. Will provide overall leadership for the facility laboratory. Will work closely with the Laboratory Associates to assure that all personnel are appropriately trained and supervised. May be required to perform analysis and participate in routine laboratory activities as necessary. Willing to participate and take ownership of Continuous Improvement projects as they relate to the Quality Assurance department. Responsible for developing and executing change management processes at the site level. Will continually review and audit manufacturing procedures to ensure that all operations follow established practices and procedures. Will immediately bring any nonconformances to the attention of the appropriate individuals and assure that corrective actions are taken and are effective. Will be familiar with Federal and State regulatory requirements and will be responsible for ensuring facility compliance. Should be continually aware of new requirements and regulations. Will be responsible for representing the facility during inspections and audits with customers and regulatory agencies. To work effectively with Plant Management and Corporate Quality Assurance to establish and validate all sanitation practices and perform periodic audits to assure compliance. May assist in the evaluation of new products and techniques which may be more effective for the company. Will establish and continually monitor the effectiveness of training programs for Operations, Sanitation and Quality personnel. Willing to work off shifts to support the cleaning & sanitation program. Will assist sanitation department by conducting visual inspections, verifying effectiveness of CIP systems, and will provide coaching and guidance to Sanitation supervisor and technicians performing sanitation duties Will be responsible for purchasing lab supplies, coordinating lab tasks, maintenance and calibration of lab testing equipment, managing lab staff schedules, provide coaching and guidance to lab technicians in support of continuous improvement initiatives. Will develop, implement, and maintain Internal Auditing schedules with plant management and Food Safety Team. Will develop process for ensuring Corrective Actions & Preventive Actions are put in place, verified, and are effective for all identified non-conformances. Will review and maintain all product specifications. Will establish systems for controlling and documenting release, holds and disposition of all products manufactured at the facility. Work with Production Associates to establish procedures for quality assessments of incoming goods and raw materials. Will work with Purchasing personnel to establish and enforce quality standards and specifications on such goods with vendors. Responsible for accurate data entry of plant testing results. Will take immediate action to address quality and food safety related non-conformances to assure their timely resolution Will collect, review, sign, and file quality and food safety records following the sites document control procedures Willing to travel between Upstate Niagara Cooperative Inc. manufacturing locations to support the development of food safety & quality programs and to support third party audits (20%). Perform other duties as requested by the Quality Assurance Manager In the absence of the Quality Assurance Manager, the Assistant Quality Assurance Manager will assume his/her duties

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from a four-year college or university in Food ,Dairy, or Natural Sciences; and three to five years related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education (Minimum AAS) and experience.
Experience should include active involvement in Quality Programs in the Food and Beverage industry.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from group managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Required to receive all applicable certifications including but not limited to: Preventive Controls Qualified Individual, Juice HACCP, Internal Auditor, Food Defense, SQF Practitioner
Must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Must be able to speak or hear.
Must regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 55 pounds.
Specific vision abilities of this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of ISO Quality Management Systems, HACCP, and statistical process control is desired.
Previous supervisory experience required and strong personal computer skills are preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist Quality Assurance Manager to ensure all plant Quality Assurance activities follow both Upstate Niagara Cooperative Inc. and regulatory requirements.
Responsible for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Sanitation Practices (GSP), quality of conformity, and quality of services.
Participates as a member of the plants Food Safety team and will represent Corporate Quality Assurance at the Plant level.
Together with Quality Assurance Manager and Plant Management Team, will develop, implement, and maintain site Food Safety & Quality plans.
Serve as the Document Control Coordinator for UNC Quality Assurance Department.
Provide overall leadership for the facility laboratory.
Participate and take ownership of Continuous Improvement projects as they relate to the Quality Assurance department.
Responsible for developing and executing change management processes at the site level.
Continually review and audit manufacturing procedures to ensure that all operations follow established practices and procedures.
Bring any nonconformances to the attention of the appropriate individuals and assure that corrective actions are taken and are effective.
Responsible for ensuring facility compliance with Federal and State regulatory requirements.
Responsible for representing the facility during inspections and audits with customers and regulatory agencies.
Work effectively with Plant Management and Corporate Quality Assurance to establish and validate all sanitation practices and perform periodic audits to assure compliance.
Establish and continually monitor the effectiveness of training programs for Operations, Sanitation and Quality personnel.
Assist sanitation department by conducting visual inspections, verifying effectiveness of CIP systems, and will provide coaching and guidance to Sanitation supervisor and technicians performing sanitation duties
Responsible for purchasing lab supplies, coordinating lab tasks, maintenance and calibration of lab testing equipment, managing lab staff schedules, provide coaching and guidance to lab technicians in support of continuous improvement initiatives.
Develop, implement, and maintain Internal Auditing schedules with plant management and Food Safety Team.
Develop process for ensuring Corrective Actions & Preventive Actions are put in place, verified, and are effective for all identified non-conformances.
Review and maintain all product specifications.
Establish systems for controlling and documenting release, holds and disposition of all products manufactured at the facility.
Work with Production Associates to establish procedures for quality assessments of incoming goods and raw materials.
Work with Purchasing personnel to establish and enforce quality standards and specifications on such goods with vendors.
Responsible for accurate data entry of plant testing results.
Take immediate action to address quality and food safety related non-conformances to assure their timely resolution
Collect, review, sign, and file quality and food safety records following the sites document control procedures
Travel between Upstate Niagara Cooperative Inc. manufacturing locations to support the development of food safety & quality programs and to support third party audits (20%).
Perform other duties as requested by the Quality Assurance Manager
Assume duties of Quality Assurance Manager in their absence
Manage all Plant Quality Control personnel to assure compliance with both Upstate Farms and regulatory requirements.
Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit.
Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.
Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; maintain department budget; addressing complaints and resolving issues.