QA Manager - Food Quality

Overview

Human Resources Operations Specialist at TCHO Ventures, Inc.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure the company maintains Food Safety and Quality Assurance programs including but not limited to microbiological testing, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) programs, in-house and third-party audits, quality evaluations and compliance certifications;
• Implement corrective action initiatives ensuring food safety issues and concerns are resolved in a timely manner while minimizing customer risk, cost and production down time;
• Lead the pre-operation inspection process for ingredients and packaging. Verify that all sanitation, allergen and certification standards are met and resolved before production begins;
• Schedule, lead and document all internal, vendor, USDA, FDA and other third-party audits in a timely manner;
• Serve as the primary quality control resource in the factory for problem identification, resolution, loss reporting and continuous improvement;
• Manage and execute the training and development of team members on company programs and procedures related to sanitation, microbiology, pest control, allergen management, HACCP and GMP;
• Develop analytics on quality issues, trends and losses for reporting to management;
• Manage and document all internal control samples, testing, and record keeping to ensure completeness;
• Evaluate, improve, document and communicate QA SOPs, policies and improvement activities;
• Perform sampling of incoming raw products, finished products and plant environment for safety and quality;
• Oversee all compliant labeling and nutritional data and initiatives;
• Support investigation of customer quality concerns;
• Review COAs and testing results before product release;
• Review and maintain technical documents across a wide product line to support sales function;
• Develop strategies to effectively control quality of the companies products;
• Oversee proper company and vendor managed warehousing procedures, including cold-store, in line with product expirations and quality standards;
• Manage and improve the quality and cost effectiveness of the equipment flush process;
• Lead and manage the QA department including supervisors, technicians, and document control staff;
• Own and continuously improve SQF certification and Food Safety Programs;
• Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, allergen control, and sanitation standards;
• Oversee customer audits, third-party inspections, and regulatory reviews;
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA);
• Analyze QA data and trends to recommend operational improvements;
• Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, Production, and Supply Chain;

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in quality, compliance and/or regulatory in a food, confectionary or beverage finished goods company
• Passionate about food safety and quality, and working in a team environment.
• BS degree in food science, chemistry or other related technical field.
• Strong attention to detail, and highly developed organizational skills are a must!
• Ability to identify and communicate issues and solutions within a fast-paced office and production environment.
• Working knowledge of HACCP, SQF Internal Auditing, SOPs creation, GMPs, FDA 21CFR Title 21/USDA National Organic Program (CCOF, QAI, etc.), Kosher, Fair Trade, B-Corp.
• Strong leadership and project management skills;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English required, Spanish a plus;
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite; experience using ERP systems is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of FDA/USDA regulations
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage cross-functional projects
• SQF Practitioner or PCQI certification preferred

Working Conditions

• Office, Production and Warehouse setting.
• Must be able to bend and lift up to 30 pounds repetitively with or without reasonable accommodation
• Must be able to stand and/or sit for extended periods of time with or without reasonable accommodation
• Exposure to temperatures that range from freezing to sub-freezing (coolers, freezers, etc.) with or without reasonable accommodation
• Must be able to push, pull, squat, bend, and reach about and below shoulders; repetitive use of hands with or without reasonable accommodation

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Quality Assurance

Industries

• Food and Beverage Services

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