Sr Quality Manager NA

Perfetti Van Melle, USA•Erlanger, KY

About The Position

Perfetti Van Melle (makers of Mentos and Airheads!) is one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of confectionery and chewing gum with global brands that are being enjoyed in more than 150 countries worldwide. We’re currently seeking a passionate and enthusiastic Senior Quality Manager NA to join our growing team. The Senior Quality Manager NA will lead all North America (US, Mexico, & Canada) quality and food safety teams, including overseeing the management & development of the QA and QC Teams in TOL, ERL and RFD. They will lead and own Quality & Food Safety Program for all PVM products produced in NA, whether internally or externally at co-manufacturers or co-packers. Additionally, they will lead integration strategy for NA Quality Assurance/Systems and Quality Control across all three sites to leverage scale, streamline complexity, and quickly implement best practices to improve results and reduce costs.

Requirements

Minimum 10-12 years of experience in a manufacturing plant as well as experience managing the QA and QC functions. Food plant experience is strongly preferred, as well as working within a global network or experience with managing resources at multiple sites.
Minimum 5 years of team leadership required; Greater than 8 years of team leadership preferred.
Very strong expertise and understanding of Quality Methodology and systems, including GFSI, HACCP, GMP, FDA regulations, OSHA and EPA.
Understanding and proven ability to apply the principals of TQM, SPC & Lean Manufacturing.
Technical expertise and strong understanding in all areas of food Quality Assurance/Systems and Quality Control.
High level of management and interpersonal skills with ability to manage others with technical backgrounds; train, mentor, and support department members, including development and succession planning across all NA sites.
Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities and set common priorities for multiple factory teams.
Team building and influencing skills, as well as orientation, to ensure Quality and Operations are operating in common, collaborative and connected across multiple factory sites and always protecting the Company and individual Brand reputations.
Experienced working within global networks and leading teams with members in multiple countries or regions.
Experience in defining, negotiating and communicating strategic directions to senior leadership in key technical spaces (CAPA, allergen management, auditing, QC definition and ownership, SPC, training, software/hardware choices, documentations).
In depth knowledge of FDA regulations, required, and PVM global Quality processes & procedures, preferred.
Strong communicator with an emphasis on problem solving and cross functional collaboration.
Strong experience working with suppliers including resolution of quality issues, audits, etc.
Experience in working with multifunctional teams (marketing, manufacturing, engineering, R&D).
Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Nice To Haves

In depth knowledge of FDA regulations, required, and PVM global Quality processes & procedures, preferred.
Minimum 5 years of team leadership required; Greater than 8 years of team leadership preferred.
Food plant experience is strongly preferred, as well as working within a global network or experience with managing resources at multiple sites.

Responsibilities

Work with Quality Managers in all three NA factories to identify & standardize best practices, share learnings, etc.
Serve as NA central point of contact with Global Quality to ensure collaboration occurs and Global Quality Policies/Procedures are implemented across all 3 NA factories.
Partner with Customer Care to follow up on consumer and customer complaints; key responsibilities include quality & food safety investigation and corrective action plan.
Lead development of Quality & Food Safety training for Quality & Food Safety Department, LRDQ Team, Manufacturing employees, & all other PVM factory on-site employees, including temporary employees.
Act as primary liaison with external contacts regarding any quality issue - FDA, third party auditors, regional food safety authorities, suppliers, co-packers, other PVM operating companies, customers and consumers.
Partner with R&D & Package Development in development of quality standards for new products and leads quality & food safety risk assessment for all new products.
Manage Quality & Food Safety Department budget (food safety, external quality, quality lab, document control).
Lead food safety & quality performance & capability evaluations/audits of suppliers & co-packers.
Partner with Global and Regional Procurement to help ensure that supplier selection will consistently meet PVM quality requirements and on-going Quality & Food Safety feedback in provided via the Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) process.