Quality Control Manager

Constellation Brands•Sonoma, CA

8d•$100,300 - $153,600•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, Quality Control provides leadership for production quality, continuous improvement, quality investigations, and supplier support across the network of wineries and distilleries. This role will manage the production quality team and coordinate with key partners in Winemaking, Distillation, Operations Services, Supply Chain, Procurement, Innovation, Regulatory Affairs, and Commercial teams to ensure world-class quality standards throughout the product lifecycle. The Manager, Quality Control, will be expected to travel throughout the network of sites to support fixed line operations, mobile bottling, third party bottling, and rework operations. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise in food and beverage production with demonstrated leadership in quality management systems, food safety, supplier quality, risk assessment, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in food science, engineering, business administration, quality assurance, statistics, or a science field related to consumer-packaged goods industry.
7+ years of progressive experience in quality, microbiology, technical services, laboratory operations, food safety, winery, brewery, beverage, distilled spirits, or food manufacturing environments.
3+ years of leadership experience managing quality teams.
Strong knowledge of quality standards, quality systems, process controls, and beverage manufacturing processes.
Experience with root cause analysis, CAPA, risk assessment, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Understanding of supplier quality management and quality auditing practices.
Knowledge of FDA, FSMA, TTB, OSHA, GMP, HACCP, and applicable food safety standards.
Strong project management, communication, and leadership skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and quality reporting systems.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time and work on a computer for extended periods.
Must be able to travel up to 30% of time.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience managing wine production and packaging quality.
ASQ certifications (CQE, CQM/OE, HACCP, Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt).
Previous experience in premium wine, distilled spirits, beverage alcohol, or food manufacturing industries.
Experience leading supplier quality programs and supplier audits.
Knowledge of sensory science and product quality evaluation.
Experience with statistical process control (SPC), data analytics, and quality trend analysis.
Experience with environmental monitoring programs and contamination prevention strategies.
Familiarity with global food safety and export requirements.
Experience leading quality transformations and continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

Monitors network production schedules and manages quality coverage for bottling operations.
Works with Quality and Tech Services leadership to align supporting resources for laboratory operations and as needed line support for scheduled bottling operations.
Defines and leads production startup quality activities, validations, in process checks, final product releases to ensure adherence to specifications and quality standards
Develops tactical tools in support of production quality assurance procedures and processes that are specific to site operations. Trains bottling staff.
Maintain proper documentation and control of quality records specific to site operations.
Oversee incoming material inspection, in-process checks, and final product inspection to ensure adherence to specifications.
Approve and maintain inspection procedures and sampling plans, as needed.
Leads root cause analysis/investigations and related reporting for non-conforming material or product in partnership with operations, winemaking, distilling, packaging and engineering teams. Manage holds/releases and rework plans for site production activities.
Collect RFT, rework and related data to feed KPI’s for quality across the network.
Manage GMP audits/activities for sanitation and related areas of production quality directly tied to bottling operations.
Support start-up, validation, and qualification activities for new equipment, products, and manufacturing processes.
Manage the qualifications of new supplier and/or contract manufacturing operations as needed.
Manage quality relationships with CBI lead contract manufacturing operations.
Direct resolution of field and consumer quality reports as it relates to bottling activities.
Collect data related to material/supplier quality, upload into Enablon and support CAPA in partnership with Manager, Quality Systems.
Lead supplier qualification, performance monitoring, audits, corrective action management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Partner with Manager, Quality Systems to establish quality requirements and supplier performance standards.
Analyze supplier quality data and drive improvements that reduce risk and improve product consistency.
Support food safety programs including hazard analysis, risk management, sanitation verification, environmental monitoring, and contamination prevention.
Lead quality support activities during regulatory inspections, audits, and customer visits
Lead, coach, and develop quality personnel. Direct management of frontline production and packaging quality roles.
Foster a high-performance culture focused on safety, quality, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Manage departmental budgets, capital requests, and resource planning.
Mentor developing quality professionals across the organization.