Product Manager, Quality Assurance (Food Scientist)

Dine Brands Global • Pasadena, CA

29d • Onsite

About The Position

The Product Manager, Quality Assurance (Food Scientist) is responsible for managing different food categories to ensure compliance to Dine QA standards, specification and food safety. This role collaborates cross functionally with Culinary Innovation, Brand Operation and Procurement and manages the commercialization process and ongoing monitoring of new and existing products. This role works closely with Suppliers and Distributors to ensure compliance throughout the Dine food supply chain. The ideal candidate must have attention to detail, strong communication skills, the ability to multi-task and prioritize; using knowledge base from food science and manufacturing experience, the candidate develops and improves product specifications, product testing and troubleshooting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, biology, microbiology, chemistry, or related field.
• Minimum five years of QA experience in food manufacturing or working for QA at a Casual Dining/Family Dining/Quick Serve restaurant concept.
• Experience with the Protein category is required (Pork preferred).
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GFSI, USDA regulations, auditing principles, and process control.
• Experience in specification development and commercialization.
• Expert in problem solving and troubleshooting skills; willingness to provide alternate ideas and solutions to problems.
• Proficiency using Microsoft office applications including Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint.
• Ability to lift and move heavy object (over 50 pounds), ability to stand for extended periods of time, and the ability to tolerate walk-in freezer and hot cooking equipment environments.
• Ability to use scientific/lab equipment, handling sharp objects, handling dry ice, using cleaning chemicals, and other restaurant related tools and equipment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Exceptional project management skills and able to work on multiple projects at the same time.

Responsibilities

• Manage aspects of quality assurance in the assigned food categories including but not limited to supplier and product approval, commercialization, troubleshooting and specification development.
• Work cross functionally with Culinary, Operations and Procurement to develop and approve new products while monitoring compliance of already existing food items, through product testing and analytical reporting.
• Conduct cross-functional product showings, sensory testing, collect and analyze results, and provide solutions to correct out of specification product.
• Investigate quality complaints and collaborate with Suppliers to troubleshoot cause, perform corrective action, and ongoing prevention.
• Participate in alternate Supplier and product approval, product optimization projects, and other continuous product safety and quality improvement programs.
• Provide expert technical support to cross-functional teams to ensure the success of new products from innovation to commercialization and restaurant operations.
• Conducts routine and as-needed travel to supplier facilities to perform audits, oversee production runs, and troubleshoot food safety, quality and operational issues.
• Coordinate with the Business Responsibility team and the Animal Health and Welfare Advisory Council on Dine’s approach to animal health and welfare.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level