Quality Programs Manager

Kettle Cuisine•Everett, WA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Programs Manager leads the design, alignment, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of enterprise quality programs across Kettle Cuisine sites. The role translates customer and product-quality expectations into practical, measurable systems and partners with site FSQ, Operations, Product Development, Procurement, and Technical Services to strengthen consistency in quality outcomes and customer experience. This is a West-based, on-site role that owns the corporate quality-program portfolio rather than day-to-day plant quality execution. The manager maintains and harmonizes site quality plans, controls, records, and measures; establishes and reviews quality KPIs; leads corporate complaint-program frameworks and quality-performance trending; and develops risk-based supplier quality approval and performance approaches. The role reviews product and process changes for potential quality impacts, coordinates cross-site program implementation and corrective-action follow-through, assesses operational and system risk, and leads continuous-improvement work using structured problem solving. The position also partners with the Food Safety Programs Manager and site teams to develop leading indicators and assess food-safety and quality behaviors. It documents concrete examples of behaviors that support or undermine outcomes and helps design and evaluate a measured Behavioral Observational Study for Food Safety and Quality. Success is measured by aligned and current plans, consistently reviewed KPIs with documented actions, usable program trend visibility, verified preventive improvements, and behavior observations that inform the study.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Quality, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
Five or more years of food-manufacturing quality or FSQ experience, including multi-site program work or cross-functional project leadership.
Working knowledge of quality systems, customer specifications, complaint investigations, trend analysis, supplier quality, and change control.
Experience using data and structured problem-solving to define corrective actions and verify results.
Strong written communication and stakeholder-management skills.
Self-directed, with high integrity and sound judgment.
Positive and collaborative, with the ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Organized and able to manage priorities, projects, and metrics in a fast-paced environment.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills appropriate to the role.
Willingness to address difficult situations with patience and respect.
Ability to provide after-hours support for critical issues when required by the role.
Enthusiasm for food and commitment to safe, high-quality products.

Nice To Haves

Internal-auditor, HACCP, PCQI, or comparable food-safety/quality training, where relevant to assigned programs.

Responsibilities

Maintain and harmonize site quality plans, controls, records, and measures; evaluate their effectiveness, suitability, and alignment across sites.
Establish and review quality KPIs, including measures for seal integrity, drain and net weights, proficiency testing, and training; identify opportunities to improve visibility and automate quality-system work.
Lead the corporate complaint-program framework and quality-performance trending, including customer sentiment and product-quality performance over shelf life; partner with the Customer Quality Manager and Analyst on execution and insight.
Develop and maintain a risk-based supplier quality approval and performance approach with Procurement and Technical Services, including audit planning and supplier scorecards, scaled to approved resources and risk.
Review product and process changes for potential quality impacts, including storage, equipment, processing, texture, color, flavor, seals, labels, and complaints during the post-change period; engage early in change planning.
Coordinate cross-site communication, implementation support, and corrective-action follow-through; define owners, evidence, and effectiveness checks for program improvements.
Assess operational and system risk by integrating process data, customer and complaint trends, change signals, and site observations; prioritize preventive controls and verify whether actions reduce risk.
Lead continuous-improvement work using structured problem solving, from audit findings or KPI trends through root cause, practical solutions, implementation, and effectiveness checks.
Partner with the Food Safety Programs Manager and site teams to develop leading indicators and assess food-safety and quality behaviors; document concrete behavioral examples and help design and evaluate a measured Behavioral Observational Study for Food Safety and Quality.
Model and support Kettle Cuisine’s Core Values and safety culture; develop team members and their careers; create accountability and performance; drive quality assurance and continuous improvement; plan work, track results, and resolve issues.