Manager, Quality

Lactalis Heritage Dairy; Town of Walton (NY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education reimbursement

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Job summary

Lactalis Heritage Dairy in Walton, NY is seeking a Quality Manager to guarantee the effectiveness of the quality program aligned with ISO and HACCP standards. You will lead QA activities, supervise the Quality Control Lab, and drive continuous improvement across production.

The role demands strong leadership, analytical mindset, and collaboration with multiple departments to uphold product safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Dairy Science preferred.
• 5+ years experience in quality or production management in dairy/food sector.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Construct and drive the quality management system.
• Train Quality Control personnel and ensure compliance with GMPs/GHPs.
• Lead QA activities, audits, and HACCP system maintenance.
• Oversee lab operations and inventory of quality materials.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve product quality.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Data analysis

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Dairy Science

Tools

Computer software

Job description

Description

Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.

At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go-Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

From your PASSION to ours

Lactalis Heritage Dairy, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Quality Manager based in Walton, NY. The purpose of this position is to guarantee the effectiveness of the quality management program, with respect to the ISO requirements (ie- dairy industry quality assurance, food hygiene, food safety, microbiology, communication systems), so as to give customers satisfaction and continuous improvement through the embodiment of ideal leadership behaviors including: being a proactive, dynamic and collaborative team player, being flexible and receptive to new ideas, hard-working and efficient, analytical and attentive to detail, with a realistic and mature approach. Ideal candidates will be capable of working independently in adherence to regulations, and demonstrating an inquiring mind and well-developed observational skills, objectivity and an ability to see the bigger picture.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

Product Quality

• Draw up control schedules to ensure the compliance of products according to the requirements in force (regulations, customer or divisional specifications, etc.)
• Manage follow-up of product non-compliance
• Responsible for Product Recall or withdraw
• Investigate, monitor and validate corrective and preventive action plans pertaining to complaints, audits, holds, non-conforming products, etc.
• Organize and lead organoleptic monitoring of finished products
• Contribute to drawing up specifications
• Participate in working groups for constant improvement of procedure control, innovation and optimization of product quality
• Analyzes and evaluates information concerning daily operations and how these results positively or negatively affect plant performance
• Analyzes and evaluates information concerning daily operations and how these results positively or negatively affect plant performance.
• Conducts the Quality Control Program for the Operation using policies/procedures, GMP’s and GSP’s.
• Assures quality finished products.
• Assures quality raw materials and packaging.
• Directs plant Quality Control Laboratory.
• Develops effective insect and rodent prevention programs and follow up with plant sanitation.
• Set up records and procedures to report to Plant/Corporation Management information relating to faulty manufacture, packaging, raw materials, weights, improper storage/distribution, etc. and take correct action when necessary.
• Training of Quality Control personnel.
• Keep informed on new/changing regulations related to the Quality Control function within your responsibility.
• Keeps abreast with all regulatory inspections and follow-ups.
• Actively work on production floor to facilitate the exchange of data between various departments.
• Implement special projects and procedures as directed.
• Cooperates with other management personnel in formulating and establishing company policies, operating procedures and goals.
• Apply and enforce all quality programs.
• Take necessary measures when there is deviation from policies and standards.
• Participate and recommend solutions to common quality issues.
• Ensure the communication of the department targets and the monthly results to his/her staff.
• Reduce testing variation in the lab via multiple methods
• Manage all internal and external auditing activities and follow-up actions. Assures the plant maintains compliance with external standards such as ISO 9001, FSSC 22000 and customer standards.
• Direct and continuously improve facility sanitation activities including CIP/COP processes, policies, etc.
• Member of the Change Control Board and co-leads when required. Manages requests that impact the HACCP System
• Assists in the identification and achievement of facility KPI's through appropriate corrective/preventative actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Responsible for the effective operation of the HACCP system and Pre-Requisite Program, by ensuring they are timely updated and maintained as Food Safety member Leader.
• Assist with the creation of training related to the HACCP system. Will also be responsible for delivering training to all site employees.
• Provide Quality support for plant projects and initiatives in the manufacturing environment.
• Lead Food Safety Investigations and Foreign Materials analysis.
• Responsible for the manufacture of safe, quality food observing all Good Manufacturing Practices, being alert for bioterrorism and reporting off standard or abnormal conditions.
• Inspect and audit the operation in all phases of quality performance observing Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Sanitation Practices.

Quality/Food Hygiene Management

• Construct and drive the quality management system
• Increase awareness and train in quality / food hygiene measures
• Follow up and communicate relevant indicators for quality and food safety
• Measure the effectiveness of the system: audit
• Report to site management on the operation of the quality management system
• Ensure that innovation actions are planned

Communication

• Report on quality issues and action plans
• Conduct visits by official bodies and customer audits

Management

• Organize the team’s work
• Manage staff: integrate, train, appraise, redefine responsibilities, praise, ensure development and gauge training needs
• Lead a team: delegate, instill a sense of responsibility, set targets, communicate instructions, control, listen
• Provide reports to his or her line management
• Participate in cross-disciplinary working groups

Requirements

From your STORY to ours

• Bachelor’s Degree in Dairy Science preferred
• 5yrs experience in field of quality or as a manager of a production unit in the agri-food industry, required
• Dairy Science or other related experience preferred.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in work required.
• Personal qualities of tact and dependability, and ability to work well with others required
• Strong written/verbal communication skills/abilities
• Knowledge of computer software
• Must possess licenses required by NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Aff…