QA MANAGER

KETTLE CUISINE LLC•Everett, WA

2d•$100,000 - $120,000•Onsite

About The Position

Manage the quality assurance team to verify that the Quality Management System is successfully executed every shift, every day. The role ensures that all materials and finished products are safe and conform to all relevant specification, regulatory and customer requirements. Customers, Regulators and our QA Leadership ensure we ‘do the right things’ to produce safe, quality food. This role ensures we execute the system and ‘do things right’ every shift, every day.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience
Background in food science or related field and a minimum of 3 years’ experience in QA systems and food safety auditing with experience writing audit reports and interpreting corrective action responses
Certified HACCP (Required)
In addition to the minimum of 3 years’ experience in QA systems and food safety auditing, at least 2 years supervisory experience is required (Especially people management experience)
Valid Driver's license and ability to travel by air if needed.
Ability to lead, develop, coach, motivate and support individuals on the team
Knowledge of Quality systems, food safety programs, HACCP, HARPC and GMP’s is required (Including GFSI standards such as SQF or BRC)
Must have excellent communication, interpersonal and team-building skills.
Ability to impact and influence others to drive change
Ability to work cross-functionally with teams and individuals to coach and educate and improve the quality and food safety systems
Experience with regulators (FDA) and, preferably USDA.
Working knowledge of key US food regulations
Understanding of important microbiological, physical and chemical hazards to food
Continuous improvement knowledge preferred (including Root Cause Analysis and CAPA)
Excellent computer skills in Office, SharePoint, and ERP systems.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents.
Ability to respond effectively to the sensitive inquiries or complaints.
Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
Self-starter able to conceptualize and drive initiatives forward
Positive attitude and motivated by contributing to the overall success of the team
Able to develop strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
Creative problem-solving skills
Obsessive attention to detail, well organized and able to juggle many projects at once
Comfortable moving at a fast pace and in ambiguous environments
Passionate about food
Willing to address difficult situations head on with patience and respect
QA Manager must have availability and flexibility to work different shifts and days, sometimes for weeks at a time, to provide support and training to all of our employees.
May need to work weekends or overtime as required.

Nice To Haves

Internal auditor and PCQI (Preferred)

Responsibilities

Management and training of the QA team to ensure cover across all shifts as required
Supervises the daily execution of the Quality Management System
Ensures operational verifications are conducted as per HARPC and HACCP plan and that they are fully documented
Ensures Good Manufacturing Practices are upheld and maintained
Complete internal audits and monitors the consistency of outputs across the team for compliance purposes
Ensures procedural or process deviations are captures and that appropriate interventions are made to keep product safe and maintain compliance with specification
Investigates deviations and uses Root Cause Analysis techniques to complete CAPA (Corrective Action Preventive Action) to mistake-proof and prevent re-occurrence
Utilizes continuous improvement techniques to improve standards
Uses KPI information and trends to improve our systems and compliance
Liaises with USDA and FDA inspectors when necessary
Trains the operational team to ensure that new process and procedures are adopted
Builds production and QA team capability to improve communication and understanding of quality standards
Investigates customer complaints or any non-conformance raised internal or externally to provide data which informs resolution
Organizes organoleptic panel to ensure consistent quality
Runs 3rd party audits, when needed (Customer/Regulatory/Organic/GFCO/GFSI (SQF))
Build preventive approach to FSQA Incidents when needed (Ex: Foreign material Prevention committee, QA-EMP weekly meeting)
Perform new equipment risk assessment and ensure validation as required. (Allergens, Cleaning, CCPs, new equipment.)
Train the QA team to ensure that FSQA systems to be utilized fully when needed. (ROSS, InfinityQS, PARCView, Sharepoint)
Fully conversant with QA team disciplinary rules and procedure in place and can act in line with the procedure
Provides and encourages a safe working environment for all personnel