Quality Assurance Manager at Miniat in South Holland, Illinois

Job Description:

Position Description:

This position is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Quality Assurance department in order to assure the products are safe, high quality, and comply with regulatory requirements. The person in this role will perform functions to analyze, update, and manage quality systems, food safety, and laboratory programs, tasks, and personnel. This person will coordinate with cross functional partners to identify and implement quality improvements to products and processes. This position is responsible for managing contacts, engagement, and issue resolution with quality peers at customer and supplier locations.



Primary Responsibilities:

• Monitors and maintains compliance to product specifications for raw materials, in process goods and finished products, and appropriate testing to ensure compliance
• Serve as Food Safety leader for the site, including leading the site Seek & Destroy (S&D) team
• Manages development and maintenance of quality systems to assure compliance to SQF requirements and regulatory requirements
• Reviews, verifies, and corrects QA records and reports daily
• Interacts with USDA inspectors regularly
• Directs and ensures effective and appropriate QC tests for in process controls and receiving of raw materials
• Tracks and trends quality system performance and reports on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Provides timely and accurate resolution to customer needs, complaints, and concerns
• Manages internal and external QA audits including audit CAPA and close out
• Partners with Quality Improvement Manager to ensure smooth hand-off of new product commercialization
• Verifies HACCP compliance including implementation of pre-requisite programs
• Reviews and determines disposition on aged product inventory and retained product by assuring that proper procedures and documentation are completed
• Monitors standard operating procedures, manufacturing operating procedures, and good manufacturing practices
• Trains and develops quality assurance personnel to ensure they meet acceptable standards
• Reviews and monitors product labeling compliance
• Participates in sensory evaluation panels of company products including beef, pork, poultry, and various labeled allergens
• Assists management in arranging /conducting employee training in quality system topics by SQF and other customer expectations
• Performs other functions as assigned

• Schedules and assigns work for department staff; follows up on results
• Oversees employee participation and adherence to food safety programs and policies
• Supervises department employees in their daily activities which include: training, motivating, disciplining, and evaluating employees
• Maintains department staff by selecting and orientating new employees
• Participates in the Performance Management Process

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology or related field, or equivalent experience
• 6 + years of progressive work experience quality assurance/food processing including prior experience managing direct reports
• Strong working knowledge of USDA/FDA guidance and regulations and GFSI requirements
• HACCP/PCQI Certified
• Proficient with computers and various software packages
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to stand alone and make difficult decisions

• Results Orientation: The ability to focus on the desired result of one's own or one's unit's work, setting challenging goals, focusing effort on the goals, and meeting or exceeding them.
• Diagnostic Information Gathering : The ability to identify the information needed to clarify a situation, seek that information from appropriate sources, and use skillful questioning to draw out the information, when others are reluctant to disclose it.
• Communication: The ability to give and gather information and actively manage the communication process by asking questions, conveying complex information in plain language, listening and considering others' views, state own views clearly and concisely, and address conflict in a professional and productive manner.
• Detail Oriented: Thoroughness in accomplishing a task through concern for all the areas involved no matter how small; monitors and checks work or information; and plans and organizes time and resources efficiently.
• Action Orientation: Maintaining a sense of urgency to complete a task. Seeks information rather than waiting for it.