Director of Quality Assurance

Marathon Cheese•Marathon, WI

23h

About The Position

Experienced, quality and food safety systems leader that builds systems to meet or exceed both customer and regulatory requirements. This highly visible post forms part of Marathon’s leadership team and reports directly to the VP of Operations. This quality and food safety professional should have corporate and manufacturing experiences preferably in highly sensitive food, agriculture, food processing or other USDA/FDA regulated industries. Self-motivated, highly agile and adaptable to a rapidly changing landscape, with the ability to excel in a fast-moving, goal-oriented environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry or other science related field
8 years of progressive experience in food manufacturing
Certifications in HACCP and PCQI
Engagement that is consistent with company’s core values
Quickly develop relationships and trust with all stakeholders
Strong knowledge of plant operations and related equipment and systems
Strong oral / written communication skills
Strong conflict management / resolution skills
Demonstrated effective cross functional collaboration
Knowledge of KPI reporting
Operates with a sense of urgency
A strategic orientation
Proven grasp of CI principles and acts opportunistically within the context of business structure

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of SAP is a plus.

Responsibilities

Maintain a robust quality, food safety, and regulatory strategy and successfully gain buy-in across a geographically dispersed team and plant locations.
Represent Marathon Cheese as the face of product quality and food safety with key customers and regulators, including but not limited to the USDA and FDA.
Oversight and management of all Company programs and systems designed to manufacture product that meets or exceeds internal quality standards, customer expectations and regulatory compliance.
Work directly with and be a resource to Operations, Sales/Marketing, Legal, Risk Management and other departments to develop, implement and improve quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance programs and procedures.
Closely monitor and evaluate new developments, anticipated changes, and innovative methods in quality, food safety, and regulatory. Proactively recommend how Marathon Cheese should prepare and respond.
Lead and coordinate Regulatory Recall and Traceability official exercises.
Lead teams in managing all Company recall protocols.
Provide support and oversight to QA Service Coordinator in conducting customer-required Mock Recall Exercises.
Establish and conduct regular as well as unannounced audits, and tests at the Company’s plants.
Drive continuous improvement through the management and oversight of the customer complaint program.
Educate and coach team and colleagues on quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance matters.
Function as point of contact and communication for all aspects of quality.