Quality Assurance Manager (Ice Cream)

GENERAL PURPOSE

Manage and lead a quality department and ensure effective quality execution, continuous improvement, and regulatory

compliance. In conjunction with plant operations, maintain an effective culture of food safety and quality within the facility.

Develop and/or maintain processes that ensure finished product is food safe and meets finished product specifications.

Function as a highly organized and effective communicator with the ability to investigate and lead solution-based decision

making in the plant.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure daily plant quality and food safety operations are compliant with DFA policies and procedures and local,

state, and federal regulations

Maintain audit readiness

Maintain a robust food safety program and subsequent quality program

Escalate non-conformance events to the quality director and plant manager

Oversee plant sanitation to drive a robust sanitation program

Ensure the plant pest control programs are current, followed, and utilized to enable proactive maintenance

Manage the facility’s change control program to enable robust risk assessment and decisions

Ensure compliance to specification, manufacturing instructions, and preventive maintenance programs. Partner with

operations to ensure preventive maintenance program is robust and adhered to

Collaboratively lead investigations relating to non-conforming events driving to root cause(s) and effective resolution

Manage hold and release programs

Review records daily to ensure all records are completed as required and review/approval is current for preventive

controls, laboratory, sanitation, production, and verification checks

Track and report on plant quality key performance indicators (KPIs)

Participate in the annual plant budgeting process

Partner with the plant manager on identifying key capital projects that support food safety and quality initiatives

Provide training to the plant personnel concerning food safety, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and

regulatory compliance

Provide quality leadership during unplanned events or emergencies

Provide visible leadership by participating in facility walk throughs and internal audits

Engage and interact with all personnel on a regular basis assisting them with their challenges and questions

concerning food safety

Collaborate with R&D during new/reformulated product introduction to ensure compliance with already established

specifications and regulatory requirements

Serve as the point of contact for customer related issues, complaints, or inquires

Manage plant complaint investigations ensuring a thorough, effective, timely and customer facing response

Monitor compliance to customer expectation and specifications; communicate any issues/concerns

Maintain plant preparedness for customer and regulatory visits

Manage all analytical and micro activities performed at the facility

Oversee the development of laboratory practices to ensure accurate and precise quality control (QC) results

Perform data analysis to identify critical trends or find leading indicators to enable proactive decisions

Coordinate the collection and evaluation of raw materials and finished products

Ensure the Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) is robust, and risk based with a search and destroy mentality

applied. Determine root cause of failures and take the appropriate corrective action

Escalate nonconformances to quality director and plant manager in a timely fashion

Coordinate and supervise factory and external lab testing of samples; generate Certificate of Analysis (COA’s)

Maintain the quality management system and ensure documents are up to date and comply to the food safety and

quality (FSQ) policies and standards

Prepare plant specific work instructions as needed

Ensure SSOP documents are robust and adhere to the sanitation standard

Ensure all forms and work instructions are reviewed, revised, and updated annually

Perform management activities such as administering employee promotions and transfers; conducting ongoing

performance conversations; mentoring, training, and coaching employees

Follow all DFA good manufacturing practices (GMP) and work in a manner consistent with all corporate regulatory,

food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements

The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but

is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Undergraduate degree in food science, biological sciences, or related curriculum (or equivalent combination of
education and experience)
• 5 to 8 years of quality assurance or related experience in a food, beverage, or similar facility
• Demonstrated leadership attributes, team leadership, or supervisory experience; 1+ year of manager experience
preferred
• Certification and/or License – PCQI, HACCP, SQF Practitioner certifications preferred; may be required during
course of employment

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
• Strong knowledge of both laboratory and plant current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs)
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems
• Knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management
• Skill in leadership and coaching
• Critical thinking, analysis, mathematical calculations, and statistical evaluations
• Able to organize and prioritize resources to achieve goals
• Able to multi-task; able to keep organized records; able to work with accuracy and attention to detail
• Able to translate accounting, financial, and KPI data into plant performance and determine steps to correct and
improve
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, for a diverse range of internal and external
audiences
• Able to work in collaboration effectively and foster good teamwork
• Able to take appropriate steps to find solutions to complex problems
• Able to present options and ideas to current processes or procedures
• Able to handle challenging or conflict situations with tact and professionalism
• Able to respond courteously and efficiently to inquiries, complaints, and requests
• Able to interpret and apply company policies
• Able to adapt and manage to change effectively
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans