Quality & Food Safety Manager

Oatly AB•Ogden, UT

23h

About The Position

Oatly, the original oatmilk company founded in Sweden over 25 years ago, is expanding in the U.S. and seeking a Quality & Food Safety Manager to join their team. This role is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and long-term planning of quality functions at a manufacturing facility, covering Receiving, Production, and Distribution Operations. The ideal candidate will have experience with quality programs and familiarity with US and international market requirements. This position involves direct reports and significant interaction with Plant Management and their teams, as well as collaboration with global quality initiatives. A cooperative team approach and clear communication style are essential.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree or higher degree in Food Science, Food Microbiology, Food Chemistry, Biology or related Fields.
3-5 years of manager or supervisory experience.
Experience in aseptic processing and filling/packaging preferred.
Certifications in HACCP, FDA/FSMA - PCQI, BRC/SQF Practitioner preferred.
Certification in “Better Process Control School” (for Acidified & Low Acidified Foods) preferred.
Experience in GFSI BRC, SQF, ISO 22000, FSSC, FDA/FSMA Audits and other regulatory audits preferred.
Experience in Microbiology or managing Microbiology Lab.
Experience in CIP systems, COP and Facility Sanitation Standards preferred.
Previous experience evaluating and implementing quality systems and specifications preferred.
Understanding of quality programs such as Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing preferred.
Previous work experience with Statistical Process Control preferred.
Ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Nice To Haves

Experience in aseptic processing and filling/packaging
Certifications in HACCP, FDA/FSMA - PCQI, BRC/SQF Practitioner
Certification in “Better Process Control School” (for Acidified & Low Acidified Foods)
Experience in GFSI BRC, SQF, ISO 22000, FSSC, FDA/FSMA Audits and other regulatory audits
Experience in Microbiology or managing Microbiology Lab
Experience in CIP systems, COP and Facility Sanitation Standards
Previous experience evaluating and implementing quality systems and specifications
Understanding of quality programs such as Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing
Previous work experience with Statistical Process Control

Responsibilities

Manage all day-to-day quality programs in a hands-on, highly engaged leadership fashion to ensure that the Company maintains its marketplace reputation for having the highest quality products in the industry.
Responsible for maintaining world-class levels of product quality in company-operated manufacturing facilities and establishing quality specifications.
Leading the quality department on daily operational and strategic level.
Review and maintain existing quality assurance procedures and developing comprehensive plan to significantly upgrade Company’s quality program and work with Senior Leadership to push these standards throughout the organization.
Working collaboratively with members of Manufacturing, Marketing, Procurement and R&D teams, implementing agreed-upon enhancements to existing quality programs.
Continually seek out opportunities to enhance existing quality programs, working closely with key stakeholders (Manufacturing, Marketing, Procurement, R&D).
Collaborate as a key liaison between Corporate Quality & Regulatory and the Plant Quality Teams to ensure all required BRC Global Standards, FDA/FSMA and FDA/LACF Regulatory standards, HACCP, Kosher and Halal are implemented and maintained.
Monitor compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices.
Responsible for reviewing Plant Quality/Food Safety Policy Procedures and Quality Verification Records, pertaining to ingredients, raw materials, finished products and plant audits.
Coordinate with Plant Leadership and the Sanitation teams to maintain efficient and effective Sanitation processes and sanitation programs are in place.
Assign monthly internal auditing schedules and monthly environmental monitoring.
Conduct and maintain inventory of lab chemicals and orders.
Manage the Plant Microbiological requirements & standards by coordinating with Plant Quality and Operations Teams to ensure microbiological conformance to specifications for raw materials, in-process materials and finished products, including the maintenance of the plant environmental micro monitoring program to be above expectations & standards.
Support the Company’s “Identity Preserved Food Status” Certification processes, such as Gluten-Free, Non-GMO Project Verified, Vegan, Kosher, Glyphosate Residue Free and Halal certification by coordinating with Quality Compliance Manager, as appropriate.
Ensure FDA/FSMA, GFSI - BRC Standards required HACCP/HARPC - Food Safety Plans, Food Defense Program and Food Fraud (IA) rules & regulations are established and implemented at the facility by coordinating with the Plant Leadership Team and the Corporate Quality & Regulatory Team.
Coordinate with Plant Management Team to investigate consumer complaints and determine the validity/root cause of the complaint, and to work with appropriate departments to implement effective corrective & preventive actions as well as communicating food-safety related matters to site director and global quality.
Collaborate as key liaison between US Region Quality/Food Safety & Regulatory Team and the Plant Quality & Operations Team, ensuring all required FDA/LACF and FDA/FSMA regulatory and compliance requirements are implemented and maintained.
Manage the Hold-and-Release program in a timely manner with proper corrective action and preventive action, as appropriate.
Responsible for Plant Deviation management and Quality/Food Safety preventive control programs.
Manage and coordinate Global Quality/Food Safety, Regulatory & Quality Continuous Improvement Initiatives and Projects in liaison with Plant Operations Teams and the Regional Quality/Food Safety Teams.
Responsible for implementing, managing and maintenance of the LIMS system.
Participate in and provide updates for Control Plan and Site Master Plan.
Plan, develop and implement food safety, quality and regulatory programs.
Implement training and development needs for plant personnel and coach towards professional growth.
Other duties as assigned