Assistant Quality Assurance Manager

SUMMARY:

The Assistant Quality Assurance Manager will support the Le Mars Cone and Wafer/Cookie Facilities by facilitating and maintaining the food safety and quality programs under the direction of the Quality Assurance Manager in coordination with Production, Warehouse, Maintenance, Procurement, and Sanitation departments. This position will work closely with various department personnel to ensure the facility is meeting Joy Baking Group, regulatory, and customer requirements for food safety and quality standards in a food manufacturing environment. This person will supervise Quality Department personnel including Quality Technicians and Specialists. Commitment to gain a thorough understanding of company policies and procedures and supporting their application is essential. Although this role is primarily day turn hours, as a continuously operational facility, some collaboration with other departments and personnel may be necessary during off-shifts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with the Quality Manager to develop, implement, and maintain food safety and quality programs, including pre-requisite programs, and ensuring compliance with internal, regulatory, GFSI (SQF), and customer requirements

• Fulfill role as back-up SQF Practitioner (food safety & quality), back-up HACCP coordinator, and PCQI in compliance with FDA Food Safety Modernization Act

• As back-up SQF Practitioner, this position is responsible for:

  o Overseeing the development, implementation, review, and maintenance of the SQF system

  o Taking appropriate action to ensure the integrity of the SQF system

  o Communicating to relevant personnel all information essential to ensure the effective implementation and maintenance of the SQF system

• Assist with internal & 3rd party food safety/quality audits (regulatory, customer, NGMO, RSPO, and/or SQF), including audit preparation and program review

• Assist in reviewing corrective actions and ensuring that they are effectively implemented and followed

• Manage (and assess) the performance of the Quality Technicians and Specialists by providing guidance and feedback and developing skills and competencies of the team by facilitating training and learning on the job

• Complete customers’ requests for documentation / information via customer questionnaire, web portal, etc.

• Establish and implement food safety and quality training for facility personnel to ensure facility personnel are equipped with the competency to produce a safe, quality finished product

• Assist with food safety and quality trend analysis, SPC programs, generating and reviewing data reports with facility personnel to reduce process variation and drive root cause analysis of non-conformities

• Assist with all R&D projects, including maintaining product specifications and conducting various tests on the finished products

• Assist with the facility calibration program requirements, tracking, and recordkeeping

• Verify and assist with creating finished product labels per specification, customer, and regulatory requirements

• Maintain label reference guide

• Coordinate completion of extended sensory analysis testing

• Manage the traceability program for materials and finished goods from receipt to shipping and testing the system through mock recalls in conjunction with the Recall Team

• Support the Procurement Team in the management of the Vendor Qualification Program

• Review and maintain records and documents within Quality department operations

• Provide guidance for facility personnel on food safety and quality issues to maintain material and finished product standards

• Communicate food safety and quality-related concerns with the Quality Manager

• Develop and implement continuous improvement initiatives within the department and facility focused on food safety & quality

• Required to understand and abide by all procedures pertaining to allergen control, Good Manufacturing Policies (GMPs), and other key internal requirements and ensuring employee, visitor, and service provider adherence

• Identify and accurately report defective materials, food safety hazards, and potential product contaminants

• Perform other duties as directed by supervisor

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Able to analyze / interpret technical information, mathematical concepts, and form conclusions

• Detail oriented with strong organizational skills with the ability to work well under pressure

• Able to gather, organize, compile and summarize data

• Must be able to speak, listen and effectively communicate with team members and actively participate in and effectively lead team/department meetings and initiatives

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills required with the ability to successfully interact at all levels of the organization

• Follow direction and perform assigned work duties independently with minimal supervision

• Involves extensive computer systems/software operation and regular use of office equipment

• Must be able to sit for prolonged periods with frequent repetitive hand motions for keyboard and mouse use and occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, twisting, and lifting/carrying of less than 15 pounds

• Position is essentially sedentary with occasional standing, walking, lifting

• Must have ability to climb stairs and access all areas of the office and plant

• Adherence to the company attendance policy is required, including expectations of punctuality and limited unapproved absences

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field preferred

• Knowledgeable in food manufacturing principles and operations with regard to food safety and quality requirements

• Knowledge of HACCP, GMP, FSMA, SQF, Food security, Food fraud, and other essential food safety programs

• Laboratory experience, including fundamental laboratory techniques, with finished goods and environmental sample collection and microbiological analysis

• Exceptional people skills and experience working with personnel in a variety of disciplines

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Leadership experience in managing or supervising personnel

• Computer proficient in MS office and experience with SPC software

• Ability to work full time, approximately 45-50 hours/week, primarily day turn hours