Asst Quality Assurance Manager

As employees of a farmer-owned cooperative, we come to work every day trying to honor the tireless effort and care these farming families put in every day, all day, 365 days a year. Our farmer-owners tend to think in generations, with some of our farms being run by the same families for over a century. We carry this approach into our business, knowing that each and every one of us makes a difference in allowing these generational traditions to continue, taking pride in knowing that we nourish our friends, neighbors, nation, and even the world with healthy and delicious dairy products.  Our products include milk, flavored milk, yogurt, dip, sour cream, cottage cheese, Italian cheese, and ice cream mix marketed under the Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk® brands.

Position serves a dual role for supporting the activities of the Dale Road Quality Assurance department with responsibilities to document management and audit compliance for the Corporate Quality Assurance department at Upstate Niagara Cooperative. This position operates at the fluid milk manufacturing facility located at 1730 Dale Road in Buffalo New York. Position will serve as the backup to the sites Quality Assurance Manager. The key responsibilities of this position are outlined below:

Will assist Quality Assurance Manager to ensure all plant Quality Assurance activities follow both Upstate Niagara Cooperative Inc. and regulatory requirements.  Responsible for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Sanitation Practices (GSP), quality of conformity, and quality of services.  Position reports directly to the Site Quality Assurance Manager with functional reporting to the Plant Manager.  Participates as a member of the plants Food Safety team and will represent Corporate Quality Assurance at the Plant level.

1. Together with Quality Assurance Manager and Plant Management Team, will develop, implement, and maintain site Food Safety & Quality plans. Plans shall comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), all relevant SQF modules, and will meet all customer requirements. Plans will include defined roles of the quality function within the facility and communication of that role to all facility associates to assure continuous improvement.
2. Will serve as the Document Control Coordinator for UNC Quality Assurance Department. Position maintains document registry, catalogues & communicates changes, and assures that all documents and their revisions are the most current versions in use. Travel required, as needed, to support Document Compliance for all UNC manufacturing locations.
3. Will provide overall leadership for the facility laboratory. Will work closely with the Laboratory Associates to assure that all personnel are appropriately trained and supervised.   May be required to perform analysis and participate in routine laboratory activities as necessary.
4. Willing to participate and take ownership of Continuous Improvement projects as they relate to the Quality Assurance department. Responsible for developing and executing change management processes at the site level.
5. Will continually review and audit manufacturing procedures to ensure that all operations follow established practices and procedures. Will immediately bring any nonconformances to the attention of the appropriate individuals and assure that corrective actions are taken and are effective.
6. Will be familiar with Federal and State regulatory requirements and will be responsible for ensuring facility compliance. Should be continually aware of new requirements and regulations.  Will be responsible for representing the facility during inspections and audits with customers and regulatory agencies.
7. To work effectively with Plant Management and Corporate Quality Assurance to establish and validate all sanitation practices and perform periodic audits to assure compliance. May assist in the evaluation of new products and techniques which may be more effective for the company. Will establish and continually monitor the effectiveness of training programs for Operations, Sanitation and Quality personnel.
8. Willing to work off shifts to support the cleaning & sanitation program. Will assist sanitation department by conducting visual inspections, verifying effectiveness of CIP systems, and will provide coaching and guidance to Sanitation supervisor and technicians performing sanitation duties
9. Will be responsible for purchasing lab supplies, coordinating lab tasks, maintenance and calibration of lab testing equipment, managing lab staff schedules, provide coaching and guidance to lab technicians in support of continuous improvement initiatives.
10. Will develop, implement, and maintain Internal Auditing schedules with plant management and Food Safety Team. Will develop process for ensuring Corrective Actions & Preventive Actions are put in place, verified, and are effective for all identified non-conformances.
11. Will review and maintain all product specifications. Will establish systems for controlling and documenting release, holds and disposition of all products manufactured at the facility.
12. Work with Production Associates to establish procedures for quality assessments of incoming goods and raw materials. Will work with Purchasing personnel to establish and enforce quality standards and specifications on such goods with vendors.
13. Responsible for accurate data entry of plant testing results. Will take immediate action to address quality and food safety related non-conformances to assure their timely resolution
14. Will collect, review, sign, and file quality and food safety records following the sites document control procedures
15. Willing to travel between Upstate Niagara Cooperative Inc. manufacturing locations to support the development of food safety & quality programs and to support third party audits (20%).
16. Perform other duties as requested by the Quality Assurance Manager
17. Required to receive all applicable certifications including but not limited to: Preventive Controls Qualified Individual, Juice HACCP, Internal Auditor, Food Defense, SQF Practitioner
18. Will prepare and present reports to Corporate Senior Staff on a routine basis
19. Will maintain, update, and enforce all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) guidelines through coordination with Quality Assurance Manager.
20. Support the maintenance and implementation of the SQF Program for the plant.
21. Will prepare samples in accordance with customer and regulatory sampling requirements.
22. Prepare customer Certificates of Analysis and ensure their accuracy for each delivery.

* In the absence of the Quality Assurance Manager, the Assistant Quality Assurance Manager will assume his/her duties

Supervisor Responsibilities

Manages all Plant Quality Control personnel to assure compliance with both Upstate Farms and regulatory requirements.  Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit.  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; maintain department budget; addressing complaints and resolving issues.

Qualifications

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 disabilities to perform essential functions.

Educations and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from a four-year college or university in Food ,Dairy, or Natural Sciences; and three to five years related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education (Minimum AAS) and experience.  Experience should include active involvement in Quality Programs in the Food and Beverage industry.  Knowledge of ISO Quality Management Systems, HACCP, and statistical process control is desired.  Previous supervisory experience required and strong personal computer skills are preferred.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from group managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of the job, the employee is frequently required to speak or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, reach with hands and arms, and climb or balance.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 55 pounds.  Specific vision abilities of this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.  The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and toxic or caustic chemicals.  The noise level in the work environment usually exceeds 85 decibels.

Pay:  $64,800 - $87,500 a year*

*The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position’s qualifications, in addition to internal equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.