QA Manager

Description

Description

The Krusteaz Company is looking for QA Manager! As a member of the Plant Leadership Team, the Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for leading all Plant quality efforts to ensure that products and processes meet or exceed company, customer and regulatory requirements for product quality and food safety. This role requires leadership and hands-on involvement in the quality lab and on the production floor, as well as the ability to lead and develop Quality and plant team members. Will play a vital customer service role in building relationships, planning, communications, and executing problem resolution with and for customers. This position strategically partners with Corporate QA to ensure company-wide alignment with quality initiatives and requirements. Must be willing to work in Hopkinsville Plant. This role is not remote.

Essential Functions

Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

• Leads the Quality Assurance team, including staffing, performance management, delegation of work assignments, project prioritization, and developing team members.
• Manages all foundational Food Safety and Quality programs.
• Develops site strategic quality plan to deliver site objectives.
• Plan, prioritize and execute quality activities to meet or exceed company and customer standards and expectations.
• Partner with other plants' Quality teams and corporate QA to set overall strategy, direction, and vision for Quality goals and standards.
• Works closely with other plant leaders to ensure Quality department goals align with overall plant goals and objectives.
• Partners with Operations, Purchasing, Logistics, and R&D as appropriate to assure success of product commercialization and new equipment design projects.
• Identify quality improvement opportunities and implement solutions in a proactive and data driven approach within a team based environment.
• Provide leadership in building strength of quality systems throughout the plant; ensure food safety, food security and regulatory compliance (e.g. HACCP, GMP, SDS, microbial surveillance, product protection, weight control, etc.) are being executed to company standards.
• Manage Plant Quality programs such as methods development, sampling strategy, pest control, waste management, master sanitation schedule, and chemical safety practices.
• Serve as a technical resource internally as well as to customers and suppliers for product quality and food safety initiatives.
• Manage all plant food safety quality inspections and audits (e.g., FDA, BRC, Kosher) and implement action plans that align with company strategy.
• Investigate and implement effective solutions to customer or consumer complaints.
• Partner with Manufacturing and R&D to assure seamless transition in product commercialization and new equipment design.
• Proactively identifies food safety risks and leads risk mitigation activities to reduce or eliminate risks.
• Effectively represents the Quality department and The Krusteaz Company to sales teams, customers, auditors, and regulatory inspectors.
• Leads plant-level coordination and communication in the event of a product recall.

Position Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• A leader who is involved with production in the plant to problem solve and process improvement, work practices improvement.
• Proven problem-solving ability and ability to apply manufacturing techniques like TPM.
• Effectively lead and develop team, including budget development and management.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrates ability to provide effective written instructional programs and processes.
• Understands the balance of individual, customer and business needs.
• Teamwork: ability to be an effective team member who fosters cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong analytical skills: able to extract and interpret data to drive decisions and priorities.
• Professional demeanor and strong interpersonal skills.
• Provide direct and indirect leadership of people, projects, and activities.
• Set expectations, track results, manage accountability, and develop people to higher levels of performance.
• Requires 10-15% domestic U.S. travel.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Education and/or Experience:

• B.S. in Food Science, related technical science degree, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in QA or quality-related function.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience leading quality programs in food industry preferred.
• Prior experience developing and managing critical food safety systems.

Attendance:

To support ongoing business goals and successfully contribute to your team, acceptable levels of performance and attendance must be consistently maintained, including attending all required meetings and events. Requires the flexibility to work non-standard hours as needed.

Quality

Follows procedures to ensure all food quality standards are met or exceeded. Must also produce quality work measured by efficiency, accuracy, and completion of both personal and company goals in a manner that embodies The Krusteaz Company values and our culture of integrity, dignity, and respect.

Safety/Legal

Employees are required to conduct their work in a safe and legal manner, according to all GMP food safety standards as well as following all compliance and The Krusteaz Company safety protocols. Employees must be willing to be responsible for their safety and health as well as the safety and health of all employees, vendors and visitors.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This position requires working in both manufacturing and office environments. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone along with reaching. Specific vision abilities include close vision requirements due to computer work. Moderate noise, ability to work in a confined area, and ability to sit at a computer for an extended period of time are also included. Must be able to effectively communicate and work in a dynamic environment. You may also be on your feet for several hours a day and may be exposed to a variety of physical demands that require you to lift heavy objects, climb stairs, exert energy, bend, twist and squat and use tools and equipment in an indoor production environment that has a high level of food dust and limited climate control while wearing PPE.

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This position description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job scope, but not limit our employees nor the organization to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of the company.

The policy of The Krusteaz Company is to hire, train, and promote all persons in all job groups in accordance with law, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital or military status, national origin, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law.

Get to know us:

• A people-focused company that cares​: We're a 90-year-old company with the entrepreneurial spirit of a startup and a focused eye on the future. As a midsized, privately-held company with a portfolio of beloved food and beverage brands, our people are the most important ingredient in our success.
• A valued and supported workforce​: We place tremendous value in our employees and provide competitive pay and comprehensive benefits to ensure our employees can create the best life for themselves. Benefits include a top tier health insurance plan with lower than average employee cost share, generous PTO, 401(k) match, and more.
• An engaged and energized culture​: At The Krusteaz Company, collaboration and ingenuity drive our fierce commitment to creating extraordinary product experiences that people love.
• A place to grow and make a difference: An entrepreneurial spirit has been at the core of our company since the beginning, attracting self-starters who are curious and love to learn and to share ideas.

Benefits: We are proud to offer generous benefits including comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance (starting at $45/month for employee only coverage), 401(K) matching, 3 weeks of paid vacation, 10 paid holidays, company provided life insurance and disability insurance, flexible spending account and tuition reimbursement.

We hope you'll take the time to get to know us!

Salary : $45 - $0