Our client is known around the world as the founder of non-dairy food products and the leading supporter and solutions provider to the Food Service, In-Store Bakery and Retail marketplaces. They are one of the world’s premier family-owned food companies with more than $3B in sales. They currently have a new opportunity for an International Quality Manager at their location in upstate New York.
In this exciting, demanding role, the International Food Safety/Quality Manager has overall responsibility for the design, implementation, and assurance of compliance with the Company’s food safety and quality requirements for their international facilities. This highly visible, hands-on role works across multiple food groups, suppliers, management levels, and functions to ensure that the products fulfill the promise of the Company’s standards.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/OUTCOMES
Internal Audit 70%
Develop and maintain (for WHQ consumption), a 1-2 page overview of food safety concerns, by region, for all facilities.
Develop and manage the Food Safety and Quality Management System (QMS) audit function.
Develop and implement a training program to assure all International facilities are considered AUDIT READY and can successfully pass an unannounced audit.
Manage annual update of QMS Questionnaire, based on changes in Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards, corporate policy, and/or changes in regulatory requirements.
Manage, lead, and coordinate continuous improvement efforts and programs related to food safety and quality processes and systems, including defining performance measures required to meet QMS expectations.
Consistently and clearly define the critical issues and approaches to be used in resolving food safety and quality audit findings.
Assist facility management in developing and implementing corrective actions.
Follow up with facility management to assure adequate and appropriate responses to audit findings.
Assure facilities adhere to specification requirements through effective communication of QMS audit results and assisting facility follow-up to corrective actions.
Partner with facilities to establish goals and corrective actions, evaluate findings, and, when asked, assist in the development of action plans to assure corrective actions, top scores in GFSI audits, and assure meeting Company food safety and quality goals.
Design, implement, and manage programs, databases, and/or policies to track audit scores.
Work with various teams on key food safety and quality requirements for all facilities.
Provide food safety and quality expertise to the facility teams, and determine food safety and quality requirements and recommendations.
Distribute updates to GFSI scores via Pareto charts of audit findings. Maintain a thorough understanding of facility production systems, as well as the raw materials, packaging materials, and operations required in the manufacturing process, including quality specifications and standards.
Country oversight 30%
Food Safety & Quality leadership – Oversight and support of a team of 2 to 5 indirect manager reports across manufacturing facilities.
Work closely with Brazil and India-based quality associates to ensure that quality deliverables are understood and properly executed.
Manage, lead, and coordinate continuous improvement efforts and programs related to food safety and quality processes and systems, including defining performance measures.
Provide input into plant QA manager’s performance review. Set annual goals/objectives, assess quarterly/annual performance. Review and approve all candidates for future open position as a plant QA manager.
Conduct on-going skill assessment analysis of plant QA managers and plant QA organizations.
Coordinate corrective action to rectify identified skill gaps with plant management and corporate Human Resources .
Develop, implement, and assess the effectiveness/manageability of Company food safety and quality policies/programs.
Partner with the Operations Leader to ensure alignment and implementation of Quality and Business goals and objectives.
Mentor plant management and associates in quality and food safety management.
Provide support to business units and customers as subject matter expert in quality management.
OTHER KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/OUTCOMES AND KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE
Working Relationships:
Reports to the Director, International Quality Assurance & Food Safety.
Strong interpersonal relationships with Ops, Engineering, Regulatory and facility management teams.
Responsibilities include working collaboratively across all necessary functions to ensure adherence to established programs and practices.
Ability to understand cultural differences and modify approach in each country.
Principle Duties and Responsibilities:
Conduct facility food safety and quality QMS audits as part of the monitoring process.
Manage scheduling of all QMS audits, and monitor scheduling of all GFSI audits to assure compliance to Corporate, GFSI and Regulatory requirements.
Assist in development, implementation and monitoring of ongoing Food Safety /Quality programs.
Identify and report FS and Quality metrics and trends.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE
4-year degree in Food Science, Chemistry and Biology or related field.
Minimum ten years’ experience with food products in a Food Safety and/or Quality management position.
Minimum of five years’ experience in development, training and auditing of HACCP plans, sanitation programs, regulatory compliance, specification adherence, and various other food safety and quality programs.
Recent HACCP Certification required.
GFSI training/certification required.
Effective written and verbal communication skills with internal and external customers.
Must be willing to travel up to 75%.
Extensive computer experience including knowledge of SPC, SQC, and Microsoft Office.
Strong language skills, mathematical and analytical skills.
Demonstrated knowledge and application of statistical process control, quality assurance techniques and tools and quality management principles in a food, chemical or pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
Ability to work with associates at all levels of the organization, as well as third-party agencies and regulatory officials.
Demonstrated ability to influence and provide direction.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally with strong interpersonal skills.
Thorough understanding of food safety science and principles including microbiological food safety risks and corrective actions.
Demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve problems, handle multiple and sometimes conflicting priorities.
Ability to work within timelines and in pressure situations.
Ability to work extended work hours and shifts as necessary, including weekends.
For more information, please contact Moira McGrath at OPUS International, Inc. 954 428-3888 or moira@foodscience.com.