
Quality Assurance Manager
- Reedsburg, WI
- $87,510-114,854 per year
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Manages the operation of the plant laboratory, including ensuring supplies and equipment are available.
- Ensures product safety, regulatory compliance, and compliance with company standards as stated in the Quality Assurance Manual, Laboratory Manual, and Company directives.
- Drives Continuous Improvement efforts in product quality/performance and process optimization.
- Provides leadership in coaching, education and training of management staff and plant employees for Quality Assurance; seeks assistance as needed from other Saputo training resources.
- Oversee quality control systems to include hold programs and traceability exercises; lab procedures; food safety programs, including FMSA compliance; product functionality evaluations; process verification programs; internal and external audits, and environmental microbiological monitoring programs.
- Review and maintain all quality control test results. Evaluate analytical testing results and disposition of finished product to ensure customer specifications are met.
- Reviews all product labels used in the facility and ensures adherence to regulatory and Company standards.
- Maintains or ensures the maintenance of the Saputo Nutritional Database System for the facility.
- Ensures adherence to appropriate regulations and Company standards for raw milk quality.
- Supervises the appropriate chemical, bacteriological, sensory, antibiotic and utilization tests on raw materials and pasteurized products.
- Communicates quality metric and inspection results to appropriate managers and others in leadership positions including, but not limited to daily, weekly or monthly KPI reporting.
- Ensures that proper sanitation procedures are utilized and that adequate sanitation tests are performed; provides “troubleshooting” efforts in the event of sanitation system failure.
- Act as the liaison for local, state, customer/third party, and federal audits and inspections.
- Is responsible for expense management and control, including labor and “Cost of Quality” utilizing Continuous Improvement techniques.
- Ensures adherence to all contract packaging quality requirements.
- Cooperates in a cross-functional manner as a change agent with all departments within the Company.
- Engages in the typical responsibilities of a manager requiring planning, evaluating, organizing, integrating and delegating.
- Ensure consistent application of company policies and procedures. Support employee progressive disciplinary action activities in partnership with Human Resources.
- Adhere to the Saputo code of ethics and actively apply the Saputo values.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree in a science-based area of study and a minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience.
- Internal Candidates: A minimum of 5 years hands-on plant experience in the dairy plant or food industry operations, with a minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience.
- Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices.
- Possesses a working knowledge of sanitation systems, techniques and procedures.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Excellent verbal/written communication skills.
- Possesses understanding of the basics of change management.
- Skill in organization and prioritization, and attention to detail.
- Strong team player and leader with the ability to work across multiple functions and disciplines.
- Ability to select, lead, coach, influence, motivate, develop, engage and retain a team of employees.
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
- Ability to understand cost containment and budgetary principles.
- Ability to work flexible hours including weekends in support of plant operations
- Development opportunities that enhance you career fulfillment
- Meaningful compensation & benefits that help you care for your family
- Opportunities to contribute to your community and enhance the lives of others through Saputo products
- We support employment equity. Saputo strives to embed diversity and inclusion in its operations and invites candidates from all horizons to join its family.