Associate QA Manager - Labs

The Campbell's Company; Maxton (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

401(k)

Wellness benefits

On-site day care

Job summary

Campbell's is seeking a QA/Lab Manager to oversee the plant’s Chemistry and Microbiology labs, coordinate product releases, and ensure conformance to specifications. You will lead supplier quality monitoring and drive corrective actions in collaboration with QC, R&D, and operations.

The role requires 3+ years in quality assurance or laboratory settings, with a preference for candidates holding a science degree and experience in MES/SAP data reporting.

Qualifications

• Minimum: High School Diploma or GED with 3+ years in QA/lab settings.
• Preferred: Bachelor's in food science, biology, microbiology or related field.
• Experience with MES/SAP and data reporting tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage plant QA labs (Chemistry and Microbiology) and coordinate product releases.
• Oversee supplier quality monitoring and corrective actions.
• Coordinate conformance to specifications and data reporting for quality attributes.
• Supervise lab technicians and ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Support audits, 3rd party processes, and product commercialization.

Skills

Quality Assurance

Laboratory practices

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree in food science/related

Tools

SAP

Rebus

MES

Power BI

Job description

Since 1869 we've connected people through food they love. We’re proud to be stewards of amazing brands that people trust. Our portfolio includes the iconic Campbell’s brand, as well as Michael Angelo’s, Pace, Pacific Foods, Prego, Rao’s Homemade, Swanson, and V8. In our Snacks division, we have brands like Cape Cod, Goldfish, Kettle Brand, Lance, Late July, Pepperidge Farm, Snack Factory, and Snyder’s of Hanover. Here, you will make a difference every day. You will be supported to build a rewarding career with opportunities to grow, innovate and inspire. Make history with us.

Benefits begin on day one and include medical, dental, short and long-term disability, AD&D, and life insurance (for individual, families, and domestic partners). Employees are eligible for our matching 401(k) plan and can enroll on the first day of employment with immediate vesting. Campbell’s offers unlimited sick time along with paid time off and holiday pay. If in WHQ – free access to the fitness center. Access to on-site day care (operated by Bright Horizons) and company store. Giving back to the communities where our employees work and live is very important to Campbell’s. Our “Campbell’s Cares” program matches employee donations and/or volunteer activity up to $1,500 annually. Campbell’s has a variety of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to support employees.

How you will make history here...

Responsible for managing the plant Quality Assurance Soup Laboratories including Chemistry Lab and Microbiological Lab. Also, in conjunction with Quality Systems Manager, Logistics, Operations and R/D, coordinate releases of products, startups of new and reformulated products, supplier and incoming materials COA's, and Noncompliance's. Manage laboratory data and coordinate resolution of specification issues with materials and products.

What you will do..

1. 1) Product Start Ups: Working closely with the plant Plant Operation personnel, Formula and Procedures Coordinators, Quality Specialists and the WHQ R&D representatives to:
   1. a) Coordinate test runs, new product/reformulations start-ups and with Product Development, Quality System and plant operations management.
   2. b) Report outcome of start-ups and reformulations to management, with recommendations on further actions.
   3. c) Organize and report on conformance of new product to specifications in compliance to the Policy on Specifications Development.
   4. d) Coordinate corrective action plans between the plant, WHQ QA, R&D and the business sectors for achieving compliance to specifications when compliance issue occur.
2. 2) Specifications Compliance:
   1. a) Establish schedule and ensure sampling of products per specification and Food Safety/Quality requirements
   2. b) Ensure Microbiology and chemistry lab is in compliance with corporate requirements and provide training and Corrective Action as required.
   3. c) Ensure that the data base and MES system for the statistical tracking of quality attributes information is maintained. Issue the monthly reports to management on conformance to quality specifications as required by policy.
   4. d) Coordinate corrective action plans when problems with conformance to specifications occur.
   5. e) Supervise the activities of the laboratory technicians responsible for conducting product and ingredient analyses, and entering data, including microbiology. Ensure that the laboratory is equipped and people are scheduled as needed to meet plant requirements for collecting information that assures conformance to ingredient and product specifications.
   6. f) Trouble shoot out of specification results, including microbiological specifications, container and ingredient integrity. Partner with operations and maintenance to drive corrective action.
   7. g) Ensure daily panel is completed, documented and in compliance with standards.
   8. h) Coordinate implementation of programs for compliance of in-process specification controls.
   9. i) Competency in use of MES/Zarpac/Historian/Power BI and/or other data reporting tools to report data
3. 3) Supplier Quality: Utilizing the resources of the QA Department and other departments and teams, manage the supplier quality monitoring program:
   1. a) If required establish schedule for sampling ingredients that ensure plant compliance to specifications.
   2. b) If out of specification work with the plant, purchasing and/or Supply Quality to assess supplier performance and update sampling criteria as needed. Make needed changes to lab and receiving work instructions. Report the results of the supplier review to the SQF/HACCP practitioner so that it can be included in the Management Review meetings when required.
   3. c) A resource to all plant department of supplier non-conformances. Maintain the supplier non-conformance database and issue updates to WHQ Purchasing Quality. Coordinate activities to assure that all I non-conformance reports (ingredients, packaging, services, Silgan) are issued and corrective actions followed up and documented.
   4. d) A resource to Purchasing for supplier visits and other type of inspections as needed
4. 4) Quality Department support and Product release:
   1. a) Support Quality department functions including 3rd party audit support, commercialization, product releases, internal audits, mock recalls and other designated functions.
   2. b) Support Plant Operational Excellence work including pillar and DDS support.
   3. c) Ensure releases of product in a timely fashion as it relates to set-a-sides, incubated product, micro evaluations, out of specification product, and coordinating product development/packaging releases
   4. d) Competence in WMS, SAP, Rebus or third party Portals related to releases

1) This position will be required to evaluate laboratory management programs and procedures, verifying both accuracy and efficacy of the programs and procedures while recommending improvements or corrections for optimizing Campbell's conformance to specifications to standards for products.

2) This position will be required to work cross-functionally with other departments, WHQ, Engineering and R/D to assist with product start up issue resolution by coordinating the efforts of all responsible parties for the timely addressing of the problem.

3) This position will be required to keep abreast of new technologies in lab management by benchmarking with other network operations, suppliers, technical publications, and reports. Any potential opportunities identified must be clearly communicated to the appropriate teams. This position will also be responsible for any trials or evaluations that would be necessary to identify cost and operational benefits associated with the new technology or practice.

4) Develop and maintain a working knowledge of food science and technology to support new product activities and specifications resolutions.

5) This position coordinates resolution of QA related lab issues associated with Food Chemistry, Quality and Microbiology

Who you will work with..

Reporting into Associate Director, Site Quality

What you will bring to the table... (Must Have

• High School Diploma or GED
• 3+ years of Quality Assurance, Laboratory practices or Food experience within a manufacturing environment

It would be great if you have... (Nice to Have

• Bachelors of Science degree in food science, biology, microbiology or a related technical field
• 5 years of experience in the food industry with demonstrated experience/achievements in Quality Assurance or laboratory practices.
• HACCP and/or PCQI certified

Compensation and Benefits:

The target base salary range for this full-time, salaried position is between $90,400-$124,300. Individual base pay depends on work location and additional factors such as experience, job-related skills, and relevant education or training. Total pay may include other forms of compensation. In addition, we offer competitive health, dental, 401k and wellness benefits beginning on the first day of employment. Please ask your Talent Acquisition Partner for more information about our total rewards package.

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity for employees and qualified applicants in all aspects of the employment relationship, including consideration for employment, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, marital status, protected veteran status, disability, age, religion, or any other classification protected by law.