Product Quality Assurance Manager

Cuisine Solutions•Sterling, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Product Quality Assurance Manager will play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and compliance of new and improved food products throughout the development and commercialization process. This role involves collaborating with R&D/Innovation teams, managing FSQA requirements for projects, and overseeing product clearance and post-launch conformity control processes. The manager will also serve as a QA representative on various strategic business projects, ensuring adherence to FSQA standards.

Requirements

BS in Food Science, Engineering, Chemistry, Biology or other related technical field with 4-6 years of experience in the food manufacturing industry OR Graduate degree (MS or PhD) in Food Science, Engineering, Chemistry, Biology or other related technical field with 2-4 years of experience in the food manufacturing industry
At least 2 years of FSQA and cross-functional leadership positions
Documented experience in working for at least 2 years in an agile work environment
Working knowledge of GFSI certification standards such as SQF, BRC, ISO 22000, etc.
Working knowledge of an agile product development process vs linear like Stage Gate or Waterfall
Successful track record of leading cross-functional technical teams towards the accomplishment of work goals
Ability to effectively work cross-functionally in a fast-paced work environment

Nice To Haves

QA experience in support of product development and commercialization processes is desirable
Experience in a USDA-regulated monitored work environment and sous vide food manufacturing industry a plus
Continuous Improvement and Project Management certification and/or experience preferred but not mandatory

Responsibilities

Assist R&D/Innovation in developing process flows, documentation, and compliance standards for product development and commercialization.
Ensure new or improved Cuisine products adhere to all FSQA and R&D/Innovation standards during development.
Act as the QA representative in R&D/Innovation team meetings and development discussions.
Lead and be accountable for the timely results of biweekly Corporate QA and R&D/Innovation cross-functional meetings.
Manage the interface between QA and R&D/Innovation during product development and improvement activities.
Ensure department functional teams deliver FSQA requirements to R&D and Innovation projects on time.
Ensure FSQA has the necessary R&D/Innovation information to effectively support product development and improvement projects.
Routinely communicate the status of FSQA development deliverables to R&D/Innovation.
Routinely communicate project status to FSQA team members.
Develop standards, assure Continuous Improvements via PDCA, and maintain compliance around Product Clearance and Post-Launch Conformity Control Processes (PLCC) or equivalent for new products.
Manage the interface between FSQA and other Cuisine departments for Clearance requirements during commercialization runs, including First Batch Requests, to ensure timely and compliant market release.
Support R&D/Innovation and other FSQA functional teams in defining and verifying product specifications through Clearance and PLCC processes using valid statistical approaches.
Act as a team member on Commercial/Sales and other strategic business projects requiring FSQA input, in consultation with FSQA Corporate Management.
Ensure all departments comply with FSQA standards in project execution.
Ensure department functional teams deliver FSQA requirements to strategic business projects on time.
Routinely communicate the status of FSQA project deliverables to the project team.
Routinely communicate project status to FSQA team members.