Asst Quality Assurance Manager

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc.; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. seeks a Quality Assurance professional to support GMP, FSMA and SQF compliance at the Buffalo plant. You will assist the QA Manager, lead laboratory operations, and help drive continuous improvement in food safety and quality programs.

Responsibilities include document control, audits, training, and coordinating with production and purchasing to assure product quality from raw materials to finished goods. Travel across locations is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food, Dairy, or Natural Sciences with relevant experience.
• Experience with GMP, FSMA and SQF programs strongly preferred.
• Supervisory/leadership experience in a QA environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain site Food Safety & Quality plans.
• Serve as Document Control Coordinator; travel as needed.
• Provide leadership for the facility laboratory; supervise staff.
• Participate in Continuous Improvement projects and change management.
• Review and audit procedures; ensure corrective actions are effective.
• Ensure regulatory compliance; represent facility during inspections.
• Establish and monitor sanitation practices; support product development.
• Lead training for Operations, Sanitation and Quality personnel.
• Travel between Upstate Niagara locations to support QA programs and audits (20%).
• Prepare samples per customer and regulatory requirements; Certificates of Analysis.

Skills

Quality Assurance

GMP

GSP

Laboratory leadership

Audit coordination

Continuous Improvement

Documentation control

Food safety knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food/Dairy/Natural Sciences

Minimum AAS

Tools

Laboratory equipment calibration

Statistical process control

Job 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. Travel required, as needed, to support Document Compliance for all UNC manufacturing locations.
• 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 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.
• 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 (20%).
• 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, Juice HACCP, Internal Auditor, Food Defense, SQF Practitioner
• Will prepare and present reports to Corporate Senior Staff on a routine basis
• 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

Supervisor Responsibilities

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 and strong personal computer skills are preferred.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from group managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of the job, the employee is frequently required to speak or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, reach with hands and arms, and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 55 pounds. Specific vision abilities of this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment usually exceeds 85 decibels.

Pay: $70k-$90k a year

• 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.