Plant Quality Manager

Land O'Lakes Inc; Vermont; On-site; USD 93,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Vermont Creamery, part of Land O’Lakes, Inc., is seeking a Plant Quality Manager to lead food safety, quality, regulatory compliance and laboratory operations at our Vermont facility. You will ensure adherence to specifications and QMS/BRCGS standards while partnering with site leadership to drive continuous improvement in food safety, quality and employee safety.

The role oversees HACCP design and maintenance, internal and external lab testing, SOP development, calibration programs and KPI

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Food Science, Biology or Dairy Technology or related field (preferred)
• Minimum of 3 years hands-on plant experience in food or pharma operations, with 1+ years of people leadership supervisory experience
• GFSI certification (BRCGS certification preferred)
• Certification in HACCP and PCQI, maintain certification
• Ability to interact with regulatory personnel, including practical audit experience
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Collaborative management style to create an engaged, motivated and high performing team

Responsibilities

• Direct, train, and advise personnel in test procedures and ensure compliance with quality system requirements to deliver safe and quality food products
• Investigate and respond to all quality assurance related consumer complaints
• Design, oversee, update, and review HACCP plan to meet regulatory and BRCGS requirements
• Provide leadership coordinating QMS and BRCGS certification & maintenance process
• Research and recommend new equipment, process and technology to meet industry best practices for improved control of raw materials, in process and finished goods
• Oversee internal lab testing
• Develop SOPs to operate lab equipment and maintain records
• Maintain calibration programs to ensure lab equipment, weighing scales, vats/fermenters, temp controllers, gauges and other equipment
• Oversee external lab testing and reports as required by BRCGS and QMS quality system
• Develop and provide quality assurance KPIs, scorecards and reports
• Provide food safety and quality technical support to cross-functional staff, and on new projects/products

Skills

Quality assurance

HACCP

GFSI/BRCGS

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Regulatory compliance

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science/Biology/Dairy Technology or related field

Tools

Lab equipment calibration

Quality management systems (QMS)

Job description

Plant Quality Manager

The Quality Assurance Manager leads food safety, quality, regulatory compliance, laboratory operations, and audit processes for Vermont Creamery. This role ensures adherence to specifications, QMS and BRCGS standards, and state and federal requirements. The manager partners closely with site leadership, facility and corporate quality teams to drive continuous improvement in food safety, quality, employee safety, compliance, and cost. This position also supports key operational programs and champions a strong culture of food safety and quality while upholding Vermont Creamery’s values and vision.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Direct, train, and advise personnel in test procedures and ensure compliance with quality system requirements to deliver safe and quality food products
• Investigate and respond to all quality assurance related consumer complaints
• Design, oversee, update, and review HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) plan to meet regulatory and BRCGS requirements
• Provide leadership coordinating QMS and BRCGS certification & maintenance process
• Research and recommend new equipment, process and technology to meet with industry best practices for improved control of raw materials, in process and finished goods.
• Oversee internal lab testing.
• Develop SOPs to operate lab equipment and maintain records.
• Maintain calibration programs to ensure lab equipment, weighing scales, vats/fermenters, temp controllers, gauges and other equipment
• Oversee external lab testing and reports as required by BRCGS and QMS quality system.
• Develop and provide quality assurance KPIs, scorecards and reports
• Provide food safety and quality technical support to cross-functional staff, and on new projects/products.

Required Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s in Food Science, Biology or Dairy Technology or related field (preferred)
• Minimum of 3 years hands‑on plant experience in food or pharma operations, with 1+ years of people leadership supervisory experience
• GFSI certification (BRCGS certification preferred)
• Certification in HACCP and PCQI, maintain certification
• Ability to interact with regulatory personnel, including practical audit experience
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Collaborative management style to create an engaged, motivated and high performing team

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct responsibility for QA Coordinator, Sanitation Specialist, and QA Staff.

Salary Range: $93,360 - $140,040.

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 500 company, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named #17 on Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators 2026 list and recognized as a winner in the Skilled Laborers category, as well as a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and included on the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

• We provide a broad portfolio of benefits to keep you and your family at your best.

Land O'Lakes is Where Your Future Takes Root.

Land O’Lakes and our global entities support diversity in employment practices.

If you need to submit a reasonable accommodation request to complete the employment application process, please call the HR Solution Center at 844-LOL-HR4U (844-565-4748) M-F 8:00am-4:30pm CT.

For disability accessibility or disability accommodation help, please call our HR Solution Center at 844-565-4748, M-F 8:00am-4:30pm CT.