Manager, Quality Assurance

Dairy Farmers of America•Monroe, WI

11d

About The Position

Manage and lead the quality department to ensure effective quality execution, continuous improvement, and regulatory compliance. In partnership with plant operations, maintain a strong food safety and quality culture and develop or maintain processes that ensure finished products are food safe and meet specifications. The role requires an organized, effective communicator who can investigate issues and lead solution-based decision-making at the plant. The manager oversees plant quality and food safety operations, sanitation, pest control, change control, preventive controls, laboratory and microbiological activities, customer complaint investigations, and the quality management system. The role also leads employee training and development, supports plant budgeting and capital project planning, and provides quality leadership during unplanned events or emergencies. Travel is 5%–15%, stated as 1–3 times per year.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in food science, biological sciences, or a related curriculum, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
5 to 8 years of quality assurance or related experience in a food, beverage, or similar facility.
Demonstrated leadership attributes, team leadership, or supervisory experience.
Strong knowledge of laboratory and plant current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs).
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems.
Knowledge of supervision, training, and personnel management principles and practices.
Leadership and coaching skills.
Critical thinking, analysis, mathematical calculation, and statistical evaluation skills.
Ability to organize and prioritize resources, multitask, maintain organized records, and work accurately with attention to detail.
Ability to interpret accounting, financial, and KPI data to assess plant performance and identify corrective and improvement actions.
Effective verbal and written communication skills for diverse internal and external audiences.
Ability to collaborate effectively and foster teamwork.
Ability to find solutions to complex problems and present options or ideas for current processes and procedures.
Ability to handle challenging or conflict situations tactfully and professionally.
Ability to respond courteously and efficiently to inquiries, complaints, and requests.
Ability to interpret and apply company policies and adapt to and manage change effectively.
Must be able to read, write, and speak English.

Nice To Haves

At least 1 year of manager experience preferred.
PCQI, HACCP, and SQF Practitioner certifications preferred; they may be required during employment.

Responsibilities

Ensure daily plant quality and food safety operations comply with DFA policies and procedures and local, state, and federal regulations.
Maintain audit readiness and robust food safety and quality programs.
Escalate nonconformance events to the quality director and plant manager.
Oversee plant sanitation and pest control programs.
Manage the facility change control program and associated risk assessments.
Ensure compliance with specifications, manufacturing instructions, and preventive maintenance programs; partner with operations to maintain an effective preventive maintenance program.
Lead investigations into nonconforming events, determine root causes, and drive effective resolutions.
Manage hold and release programs.
Review daily records for required completion and current review or approval, including preventive controls, laboratory, sanitation, production, and verification records.
Track and report plant quality KPIs.
Participate in the annual plant budgeting process and partner with the plant manager to identify capital projects supporting food safety and quality.
Train plant personnel on food safety, FSMA, and regulatory compliance.
Provide quality leadership during unplanned events and emergencies.
Participate in facility walkthroughs and internal audits; engage with personnel to help address food safety challenges and questions.
Collaborate with R&D on new or reformulated products to ensure compliance with established specifications and regulatory requirements.
Serve as the point of contact for customer issues, complaints, and inquiries; manage complaint investigations and ensure thorough, timely, customer-facing responses.
Monitor compliance with customer expectations and specifications and communicate issues or concerns.
Maintain preparedness for customer and regulatory visits.
Manage analytical and microbiological activities at the facility and oversee laboratory practices that support accurate and precise QC results.
Analyze data to identify trends and leading indicators for proactive decisions.
Coordinate collection and evaluation of raw materials and finished products; coordinate factory and external laboratory testing and generate Certificates of Analysis.
Maintain the quality management system and ensure documents comply with FSQ policies and standards and remain up to date.
Prepare plant-specific work instructions as needed; ensure SSOP documents are robust and adhere to sanitation standards; ensure forms and work instructions are reviewed, revised, and updated annually.
Perform employee management activities, including promotions and transfers, performance conversations, mentoring, training, and coaching.
Follow DFA GMPs and corporate regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Travel 5%–15% (1–3 times per year).