Quality Assurance Manager

Job Overview

Purpose of the Position

Directs the Quality Assurance and Food Safety Programs at the assigned location. Oversees Quality Assurance procedures, personnel, related regulatory agency activity, inventory control of hold products, detecting / correcting out of specification situations, and any other quality and food safety related programs. Supports other departments by ensuring quality awareness and that regulatory requirements are communicated. 

Essential Position Responsibilities - This is a Salary Exempt position. 

Directs quality, food safety, and regulatory programs. Develops and oversees HACCP, GMP, SSOP, GFSI, Quality, and related programs to ensure customer expectations and regulatory requirements are met. Ensures incoming ingredients and finished products meet quality requirements and customer specifications. Ensures quality performance is performed in a manner which meets or exceeds all company guidelines for a total quality program and successful completion of GFSI audits. Demonstrates knowledge of the quality, food safety, and regulatory  requirements related to these programs. Ensures effective scheduling and spending to meet quality requirements and ensure product meets expectations. Utilizes corrective action and preventive action methods to ensure sustained success. 

Ensures open communication with necessary personnel. Guides and develops cooperative relationships between plant and quality personnel. Effectively communicates specifications, quality, and food safety related requirements to necessary personnel. Maintains open communication with facility personnel on quality issues and topics. Leads and/or participates in meetings with quality and/or production personnel to ensure communication with all levels of facility  personnel on quality and food safety related topics. Prepares and maintains written programs and documentation to  ensure effective communication of plant programs, procedures, and quality inspection requirements. 

Ensures open communication with customers and regulatory personnel. Maintains open communication with customers and/or regulatory personnel on quality issues, customer expectations, and regulatory requirements. Leads and/or participates in meetings with appropriate customers and regulatory personnel to ensure expectations are understood and maintained. Prepares and maintains written programs and documentation to ensure effective communication of customer expectations and/or regulatory requirements. Effectively communicates responses to  customer comments, regulatory infractions, and other issues as necessary.  

Builds a strong plant quality team. Effectively manages staffing to meet business and customer needs. Ensures accurate and effective training of necessary personnel. Manages people and resources to meet regulatory requirements and expectations.  

Facilitates customer interaction. Ensures customer specifications are being followed and any deviations to specifications are addressed. Supports communication on any and all concerns customers may have. Ensures customer requested data is provided timely and accurately. Works to identify and address relevant trends.  

Manages employees. Directs and supervises employees’ work activities and monitors work performance. Collaborates with Human Resources to screen, interview and hire candidates. Administers disciplinary actions and recommends performance improvement actions in collaboration with the HR Manager. Monitors work performance and recommends compensation decisions based on guidelines. Follows Simmons values to develop and maintain a favorable working relationship with all employees. Promotes a cooperative and harmonious environment in order to facilitate positive employee morale, productivity, and continued improvement. 

Participates as a member of the Team. Participates in the ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues; e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy  possible within the larger organization. 

Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives: Is familiar with Simmons’ established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies, LEAN); understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position’s role in support of these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas. 

Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended that this describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position. 

Physical Activities: Enters and locates information on a computer. Visually verifies information, often in small print. Communicates with Customers, Vendors, or Employees via telephone, in person, and/or electronic mail. May present information to small or large groups. Must be able to work in various temperatures. Move about in a manufacturing environment and surrounding property. May travel via car or plane to various work locations. Must be able to stoop, bend, and climb ladders to perform inspections. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Hairnets, earplugs, slip resistant shoes, and any other protective equipment as needed or required.  

Travel: Travels domestically to and from multiple facilities or work-sites, possibly requiring overnight stays. Expected travel is 10-20%. 

Technical Experience: 5 years experience in food processing with experience related to food safety and/or quality management. 

Industry Experience: Preference for food processing organization. 

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Animal Science, Poultry Science, Microbiology, or related degrees or 4 years related work experience. 

Preferred Education: MS Degree in Food Science, Animal Science, Poultry Science, Microbiology, or related degrees.

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