Assistant Quality Assurance Manager

UNC Dairy; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Upstate Niagara Cooperative in Buffalo, NY, seeks a dedicated Quality Assurance professional to support plant QA activities, ensuring GMP, FSMA compliance, and SQF alignment while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Reporting to the Site Quality Assurance Manager, you will oversee document control, laboratory operations, internal audits, and corrective actions. Occasional travel between processing locations will be required to sustain supplier quality and product specifications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food, Dairy, or Natural Sciences; and 3–5 years related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education (Minimum AAS) and experience.
• Experience in Quality Programs in the Food and Beverage industry is desired.
• Knowledge of ISO Quality Management Systems, HACCP, and statistical process control is desired.
• Previous supervisory experience required.
• Active involvement in Quality Programs and willingness to lead continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain site Food Safety & Quality plans per FSMA and SQF.
• Serve as Document Control Coordinator; maintain registry and revisions.
• Provide leadership for the facility laboratory and training.
• Lead Continuous Improvement projects and change management processes.
• Review and audit manufacturing procedures for compliance and corrective actions.
• Ensure facility compliance with Federal and State regulatory requirements and audits.
• Maintain sanitation programs and assist in evaluating new products/techniques.
• Train operations, sanitation, and quality personnel; support lab tasks as needed.
• Travel between Upstate Niagara locations to support QA programs and audits.

Skills

Attention to detail

Adaptability

Collaborative mindset

Strong decision-making

Effective verbal and written comm.

Strong computer skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food, Dairy, or Natural Sciences

Minimum AAS

Job description

Dale Road Plant (UNC)
Buffalo, NY 14225, USA

Description

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.

Will assist Quality Assurance Manager to ensure all plant Quality Assurance activities follow both Upstate Niagara Cooperative Inc. and regulatory requirements. Responsible for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Sanitation Practices (GSP), quality of conformity, and quality of services. Position reports directly to the Site Quality Assurance Manager with functional reporting to the Plant Manager. Participates as a member of the plants Food Safety team and will represent Corporate Quality Assurance at the Plant level.

• Together with Quality Assurance Manager and Plant Management Team, will develop, implement, and maintain site Food Safety & Quality plans. Plans shall comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), all relevant SQF modules, and will meet all customer requirements. Plans will include defined roles of the quality function within the facility and communication of that role to all facility associates to assure continuous improvement.
• Will serve as the Document Control Coordinator for UNC Quality Assurance Department. Position maintains document registry, catalogues & communicates changes, and assures that all documents and their revisions are the most current versions in use.
• Will provide overall leadership for the facility laboratory. Will work closely with the Laboratory Associates to assure that all personnel are appropriately trained and supervised. May be required to perform analysis and participate in routine laboratory activities as necessary.
• Willing to participate and take ownership of Continuous Improvement projects as they relate to the Quality Assurance department. Responsible for developing and executing change management processes at the site level.
• Will continually review and audit manufacturing procedures to ensure that all operations follow established practices and procedures. Will immediately bring any nonconformances to the attention of the appropriate individuals and assure that corrective actions are taken and are effective.
• Will be familiar with Federal and State regulatory requirements and will be responsible for ensuring facility compliance. Should be continually aware of new requirements and regulations. Will be responsible for representing the facility during inspections and audits with customers and regulatory agencies.
• To work effectively with Plant Management and Corporate Quality Assurance to establish and validate all sanitation practices and perform periodic audits to assure compliance. May assist in the evaluation of new products and techniques which may be more effective for the company. Will establish and continually monitor the effectiveness of training programs for Operations, Sanitation and Quality personnel.
• Willing to work off shifts, including weekends, to support the cleaning & sanitation program. Will assist sanitation department by conducting visual inspections, verifying effectiveness of CIP systems, and will provide coaching and guidance to Sanitation supervisor and technicians performing sanitation duties
• Will be responsible for purchasing lab supplies, coordinating lab tasks, maintenance and calibration of lab testing equipment, managing lab staff schedules, provide coaching and guidance to lab technicians in support of continuous improvement initiatives.
• Will develop, implement, and maintain Internal Auditing schedules with plant management and Food Safety Team. Will develop process for ensuring Corrective Actions & Preventive Actions are put in place, verified, and are effective for all identified non-conformances. This includes Internal Auditing for SQF and Facility inspections.
• Will review and maintain all product specifications. Will establish systems for controlling and documenting release, holds and disposition of all products manufactured at the facility.
• Work with Production Associates to establish procedures for quality assessments of incoming goods and raw materials. Will work with Purchasing personnel to establish and enforce quality standards and specifications on such goods with vendors.
• Responsible for accurate data entry of plant testing results. Will take immediate action to address quality and food safety related non-conformances to assure their timely resolution
• Will collect, review, sign, and file quality and food safety records following the sites document control procedures
• Willing to travel between Upstate Niagara Cooperative Inc. manufacturing locations to support the development of food safety & quality programs and to support third party audits.
• Perform other duties as requested by the Quality Assurance Manager
• Required to receive all applicable certifications including but not limited to: Preventive Controls Qualified Individual, HACCP, Internal Auditor, Food Defense, SQF Practitioner
• Will prepare and present reports to Corporate Senior Staff on a routine basis. Including trending of complaints, shelf life, pathogen swabbing results, etc.
• Will maintain, update, and enforce all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) guidelines through coordination with Quality Assurance Manager.
• Support the maintenance and implementation of the SQF Program for the plant.
• Will prepare samples in accordance with customer and regulatory sampling requirements.
• Prepare customer Certificates of Analysis and ensure their accuracy for each delivery

* In the absence of the Quality Assurance Manager, the Assistant Quality Assurance Manager will assume his/her duties

Manages all Plant Quality Control personnel to assure compliance with both Upstate Farms and regulatory requirements. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; maintain department budget; addressing complaints and resolving issues.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Educations and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from a four‑year college or university in Food ,Dairy, or Natural Sciences; and three to five years related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education (Minimum AAS) and experience. Experience should include active involvement in Quality Programs in the Food and Beverage industry. Knowledge of ISO Quality Management Systems, HACCP, and statistical process control is desired. Previous supervisory experience required.

Core Competencies

Attention to detail and commitment to quality standards, Adaptability in a fast‑paced, regulated manufacturing environment, Collaborative mindset, Strong decision‑making capabilities, and Effective verbal and written communication abilities. Strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality systems software are preferred.

Pay: $75,000-$85,000*

* The salary range listed for this position represents the good faith and reasonable minimum and maximum pay for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, training, knowledge, education, and overall qualifications. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.