Quality Assurance Manager

Job Description

We are currently seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to join our team in our Hollis, Maine facility. 

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
· Serve as the lead within the plant for Company Quality initiatives including the implementation of the BlueTriton Brands Quality Management System.
· Serves as Food Safety Management System (FSMS) Team Leader.
· Partner cross functionally with the Planning, Production, Maintenance, and Warehouse teams to maximize results.
· Prepare for all Company Quality Audits, FSSC (Food Safety System Certification), IBWA, FDA, Dept of Agriculture, Military, and Kosher.
· Oversee fully functioning micro lab and ensure compliance testing and reporting requirements are met for state and FDA regulations.
· Ensure compliance and record keeping for all mandated quality checks, testing, sampling and sanitation activities are maintained according to company requirements.
· Track, analyze, and lead initiatives for all quality and customer complaint issues within the plant.
· Serve as primary plant liaison with the Customer Service Center, Consumer Affairs regarding quality and complaint issues.
· Prepare and maintain permitting and licensing for the plant.
· Manage budgeting, purchasing and inventory of plant operating supplies such as filters, chemicals and lab supplies.
· Coordinate activities and develop good relationships with key vendors.
· Monitor the performance and competencies of plant QA staff and provide leadership, coaching and development as needed.
· Lead the execution of cultural changes and activities needed to support continuous improvement initiatives.
· Develop initiatives to improve plant performance against BlueTriton quality measures and ensure plant compliance with company and regulatory standards.
· Provide day-to-day leadership to QA Department and act as the primary liaison to Corporate QA, Corporate and outside laboratories, and to external regulatory agencies (FDA, IBWA, EPA, etc.).
· May serve as plant representative for regional quality forums and initiatives.

Qualifications

Key qualifications include:
· Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, microbiology or related field; Masters preferred.
· Ten or more years of QA experience with five or more years of QA management experience within consumer products, specifically beverage, food or other clean manufacturing
· PCQI (preventative controls qualified individual) certification preferred
· Prior microbiology laboratory management and manufacturing line inspection experience
· Knowledge of ISO an FSSC requirements and audits
· Knowledge of Statistical Process Control, HACCP, sanitation, and hygienic design
· Strong project management and computer skills, including Word, Excel, Access, & PowerPoint;
· ERP system and Quality system experience needed, SAP and Infinity preferred
· Proven leadership skills, coaching and developing leaders & employees
· Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement and manage to/achieve metrics
· Strong communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with frontline employees, peers, and executives
· Ability to drive positive change in both processes and systems and culture
· Strong internal and external customer focus with great follow-up
· Ability to provide afterhours support to a 24 X 7 operation for critical issues
· Self-directed with high integrity and the maturity commensurate with being an effective manager