Quality Assurance Manager

TITLE Manager, Quality Assurance LOCATION Lexington, KY REPORTS TO Plant Manager POSITION SUMMARY This position is responsible for the supervision and development of salaried direct reports and all Quality Assurance laboratory and Food Safety personnel. This position will assure compliance to all affiliate quality policies, procedures, and specifications, and all Federal, State, and local regulatory requirements pertaining to the manufacture of safe and wholesome food products. The position has the authority to stop production systems when quality standards or food safety is jeopardized, and to hold ingredient, in process materials, and finish product goods, and render dispositions within corporate Quality Assurance guidelines. This position provides technical support to the manufacturing plant aimed at producing quality and food safe products at a least cost. This activity includes quality systems development and maintenance, work instruction development, training, formula deployment, audits, project support, new product commissioning, and employee and organizational development. This position drives continual improvement in both quality systems and food safety and sanitation as measured by internal and external audits, and factory goal achievement. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Member of the Plant Leadership Team Lead the Quality Pillar for the plant, setting direction, building capability, maintaining 90-day plans Build skills and capabilities in Quality Key Element Owners and Functional Leaders; ensure effectiveness of site QA training program (new hire and ongoing QA training) Provide coaching to plant operations on quality systems and day-to-day quality issues Serve as product / process technical expert & drive continuous improvement in quality programs Accountable for development, maintenance and implementation of Food Safety and Food Defense plans for the plant Assure internal specification and governmental regulatory compliance Lead preparation and follow up for all internal or external quality audits and FDA/health department audits Responsible for verification and validation of BRC system requirements Responsible for plant quality results including finished product release, timely disposition of holds, mock recalls, etc. Review and evaluate Consumer Complaints; provide investigation support to Corporate Develop and maintain quality documentation for the plant Manage Quality and Sanitation department budgets including invoice approval and reconciliation Own outside service contracts for pest control and 3rd party lab testing Lead and develop the quality team SELECTION CRITERIA Education A Bachelor's Degree in food science, biology, chemistry, or related field is required Experience At least 5 years of quality management experience in a food processing facility is required A working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices, FDA and USDA regulations, food plant production and best practices, environmental regulations, food safety and sanitation methods and best practices, HACCP, and SPC Ability to manage, coach, and develop salaried and hourly personnel Other At least 5 years of food processing experience is required; QA experience is strongly preferred At least 3 years of supervisory experience is required Prior experience in the CPG industry is preferred A working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices, FDA and USDA regulations, food plant production and best practices, environmental regulations, food safety and sanitation methods and best practices, HACCP, and SPC is preferred #LI-NO1