Senior Manager Quality Operations

Agropur•Le Sueur, MN

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Quality Operations – U.S. Operations reports to the Director, Quality Operations (U.S. Operations) and provides technical and quality leadership to support the deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement of quality systems across 3 to 5 manufacturing sites. This role is responsible for establishing and tracking quality performance indicators, managing food safety risks, improving first-pass quality, and ensuring compliance with customer and regulatory requirements. The incumbent leads the development, implementation, and maintenance of robust quality programs and controls, and intervenes promptly in quality or food safety issues by overseeing investigations, corrective and preventive actions, and by ensuring clear, timely communication with plant leadership and the commercial quality function. The Senior Manager also plays a key role in fostering a strong quality culture by developing the competencies, autonomy, and succession of plant quality teams.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science and Technology or other science related field required.
Equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered.
Minimum five (5) years of experience in quality control or food production required.
Minimum three (3) years of experience in the dairy industry.
Good knowledge of the SQF code, HACCP system, GMP and food safety regulations required.
Availability to travel regularly in multiple states (up to 50%) required.
HACCP, PCQI and SQF certifications required.
Strong understanding of business operations, market dynamics, competitive landscape, and how organizational strategies translate into value and results.
Demonstrated ability to work autonomously, lead initiatives, influence stakeholders at all levels, and support organizational change through effective communication and problem-solving.
Proven capability to analyze complex situations, implement and optimize processes, identify synergies, simplify workflows, and measure performance to drive continuous improvement.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with executives, managers, cross-functional teams, and global partners in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

Ensures the safety and compliance of products manufactured assigned US sites under within responsibility (2 to 4 sites).
Provide technical and quality expertise to the plant in order to prevent or react to quality-related trends and issues.
Follow-up on quality objectives, projects and planned quality activities of the sites.
Intervene in corrective action plans following internal and external (customers and government) audits in the plant.
Act as the quality contact person for the plants with the Senior Director – Manufacturing Operations, QC and plant management, State and Federal Inspection Agencies representatives, Customers, Certifiers, and Global quality functions.
Responsible for assessing and intervening in the management of risks, trends, major projects, and the escalation and decision making that accompanies them.
Support the implementation and standardization of quality programs and documentation (guidelines, procedures, instructions, records, codes, guides, etc.).
Ensure that the updating and standardization of quality systems are completed in accordance with changes such as validation, new equipment, processes, products or improvements.
Lead assigned projects to implement new programs (i.e. global quality roadmap), improve quality performance, or address a specific or systemic issue.
Ensure that the plants under the position responsibility meet the expected objectives and key performance indicators by identifying and addressing the needs to build capabilities.
Follow-up and make periodic recommendations on the results and quality trends of the plants (i.e., quality alerts, CAPA closure, on-time maintenance, first pass quality).
Participate in the supervision and recruitment of the plant quality resources that report to the position through a functional link (matrix organization).
Research and share industry best practices with the sites under the position responsibility and work to standardize these practices between the sites and those under the oversight of collaborators.
Identify, prepare and conduct required quality training (GMP, HACCP, GFSI, biosafety, washing and sanitation, equipment inspection, etc.).
Maintain and develop knowledge to stay informed and current, and to ensure progression within the organization.
Responsible for employee relations including work direction of employees, hiring, training, performance reviews, administering policies and procedures, disciplinary action, and compensation recommendations.
Directs implementation of departmental objectives, goals and policies.
Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies, procedures and guidelines.
Understand and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices.
Stop any observed unsafe acts and obey facility safety rules and procedures.
Correct or report any observed safety hazards.
Support safety policies and programs.