Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manager

Berksfoods; Reading; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the meat processing industry is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manager. This role involves overseeing QA/QC operations, ensuring compliance with regulations, and leading a team to maintain high-quality standards. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in quality assurance within a USDA meat plant, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to food safety and quality. Join a family-owned business with a rich history and make a significant impact on product quality and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of Quality Assurance experience in a USDA meat plant.
• 5 years managing a QA department and staff.

Responsibilities

• Monitors QA/QC department operations and staff.
• Ensures compliance with USDA, HACCP, SQF regulations.
• Conducts training and maintains food safety standards.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in food science

Microbiology

Chemistry

Tools

Microsoft Office

ERP Software (Sage X3)

Job description

Berks Packing is a 3rd generation family-owned and operated meat processor facility located in Reading, Pennsylvania. We have a long-standing tradition of providing excellent product quality and customer service. Berks has been a family favorite for over 92 years!

Berks Packing has an immediate need for an experienced Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manager. Under general direction of Director of Operations, the QA/QC Manager is a member of Berks Packing management team, who provides strategic input, makes recommendations, and assists with establishing policy. Plans, directs and coordinates the operations of the QA/QC Department. Duties include providing leadership to staff; managing daily lab operations; planning the use of materials and human resources, and formulating policies and procedures. Effectively develops and implements department systems that achieve efficient and economical quality assurance in accordance with all compliance requirements.

Key responsibilities include:

• Monitors QA/QC department including all environmental, finished product, raw product microbiological analysis daily. Sets priorities and directs all department staff. Detects and resolves problems. Promotes teamwork and ensures communication is effective between members of Quality Assurance team. Visible and available on the production floor.
• Manages projects, labor, and inventory of QA/QC department. Monitors and controls the expense of labor, materials, overtime. Assists Director of Operations and management with cost reduction goals.
• Establishes goals for the QA/QC Department that are consistent with the goals of the plant and company. Develops written work expectations and career goals for each employee and communicates these goals through individual goal setting meetings. Tracks results and makes adjustments as needed.
• Maintains established quality standards and enforces all USDA, GMP, SQF, HACCP, FSIS, OSHA regulations that apply to the QA/QC Department.
• Maximizes personnel through efficient scheduling and staffing. Implements changes in working conditions and use of equipment to increase efficiency of department, and/or staff. In conjunction with HR, interviews, hires, trains, disciplines, evaluates and develops staff or oversees those processes.
• Ensures that appropriate Food Safety and Quality standard operating procedures (SOP's) and emergency procedures are developed and maintained for department. Ensures that all staff complies with Berks Packing policies and procedures.
• Coordinates and collaborates work with Production, Sales, Customer Service, Maintenance, HR, and other internal staff as needed.
• Ensures a high level of customer satisfaction by investigating and responding to customer complaints or concerns. Performs all investigations regarding product defect or foreign material.
• Plans, develops, or implements food safety training for all personnel, including employee HACCP Training. Communicates all food safety and quality information necessary to appropriate personnel.
• Ensures Food Security and Bio-Terrorism meets all current requirements. Conducts mock recalls.
• Serves as SQF Advanced Practitioner. Conducts the annual review and maintenance of the SQF System. Conducts the annual SQF re-certification Audit.
• Performs HACCP reassessments, Employee HACCP Training, Internal Audits, and maintenance of the HACCP Program. Creates new HACCP plans. Responds to all USDA NCR's.
• Conducts Environmental Monitoring in accordance with the Berks Packing Company's Pathogen Reduction Program
• Performs and oversees all activities involving microbiological analysis. Performs shelf-life studies and finished product analysis. Writes all programs and oversees all activities involving allergen, all natural, and organic production protocols.
• Prepares and Represents Berks Packing Co. in all USDA, FSIS, SQF, 3rd Party, Child Nutrition, and Organic Audits.
• Performs Pre-Shipment review of all production documents
• Conducts nutritional panel analysis on new and reformulated products. Approves and submits labels to USDA/FSIS.
• Provides the necessary leadership to implement, monitor and maintain applicable OSHA requirements.
• Prepares and provides relevant reports to management on a timely basis.

TOOLS and TECHNOLOGY

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, specifically PowerPoint, and ERP Software (Sage X3)

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in food science, Microbiology or Chemistry preferred with 10+ years of Quality Assurance experience, preferably in a USDA meat plant. At least 5 years of managing a QA department and staff within a manufacturing setting. HACCP and SQF certification preferred, or any other equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge of applicable regulatory guidelines and prior experience with USDA, HACCP, SQF, OSHA and GMP. Ability to write a HACCP plan. Experience with USDA labeling and submittal. Food industry experience required. Certified SQF Practitioner with full understanding of the SQF Edition 9 Animal Product Manufacturing.

EOE M/F/D/V

A pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol screen is required. We conduct background checks as part of our pre-employment screening process and follow all EEOC and FCRA regulations regarding the use of criminal records in the hiring process.