Quality - Plant FSQA Manager

Sugarcreek•Cambridge City, IN

About The Position

The Plant FSQA Manager oversees the plant Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Department’s day-to-day activities and implements and assesses initiatives to improve product quality, food safety, and consistency. The role supports the Plant Manager in providing quality and food safety leadership across departments and works with Corporate FSQA Management on projects to improve plant performance. The manager also serves as the SQF Practitioner and maintains and updates the SQF Program. The position coordinates quality and food safety programs, procedures, assessments, audits, training, corrective actions, and performance reporting. It addresses non-conformance and quality issues at plant facilities, warehouses, and in the market; advises on the quality and food safety impact of product, processing, and facility changes; and helps ensure conformity with company, customer, and government standards. The role supports safety, food quality, and sanitation initiatives and may cover for Plant FSQA Supervisors.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with a major in chemistry, biology, microbiology, food science, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience in a food safety or quality role, preferably in a manufacturing setting.
Strong understanding of HACCP, Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS), and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requirements.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Strong proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office programs.
Ability to read, interpret, and review complex information related to quality and sanitation practices and regulations.
Critical-thinking ability to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions or approaches to problems.
Ability to work cooperatively with others.
Ability to use simple tools and basic laboratory equipment, such as a scale, caliper, magnet, and thermometer.
Strong leadership, independent-thinking, organizational, and planning skills.
No unusual physical requirements; the role involves mostly sitting, with some standing and walking, and may include using stairs or occasionally moving items weighing less than 15 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Food safety or quality experience in a manufacturing setting.

Responsibilities

Coordinate the development and implementation of programs, policies, procedures, and work instructions for quality and food safety assessment and improvement.
Recommend and provide feedback to Corporate and Plant Management regarding significant food safety and quality issues.
Hire, train, and develop Plant FSQA Supervisors and Technicians.
Handle work schedules and assign duties and responsibilities among Plant Supervisors.
Coordinate internal and third-party plant quality and food safety audits, working with the Plant Manager to assign audit responsibilities to plant departments.
Resolve non-conformance and quality issues at plant facilities, warehouses, and in the market.
Work with Plant Management to develop corrective action plans and communicate them to Corporate FSQA Management, Sales, Supply Chain, and customers as appropriate.
Review the Sanitation Department’s work and provide grading and feedback to ensure proper facility sanitation.
Recommend and/or develop orientation and training programs for quality and food safety.
Prepare monthly summary reports of key quality metrics, including issues and progress.
Advise the plant on quality and food safety implications of changes in products, processing, or facility design.
Ensure compliance with quality, food safety, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) support programs.
Assure conformity to company, customer, and government standards.
Cover for Plant FSQA Supervisors when they are out of the office.
Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.
Support safety, food quality, and sanitation initiatives and policies, and follow Sugar Creek Packing Co. safety rules and procedures.
Perform other duties and tasks as assigned.