Quality Assurance Manager

Socket.dev; Lena (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Savencia Cheese USA LLC in Illinois seeks a Plant Food Safety & Quality Leader to oversee all QA activities, ensure products meet quality standards, and communicate results to the workforce. This role leads HACCP, GMP, audits, lab operations, and continuous improvement across QA processes.

We require a Bachelor’s in Food Science or related field with microbiology focus and supervisory experience. Travel up to 10% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science or related field with focus on microbiology.
• Minimum 3 years supervisory experience in food manufacturing environments.
• Solid knowledge of GMPs and sanitation practices.
• Capable of coordinating audits and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee QA lab operations and ensure supplies/equipment are available.
• Lead HACCP/FSP initiatives and drive continuous quality improvement.
• Ensure product safety, regulatory compliance, and internal standards.
• Coordinate labeling reviews and QA documentation accuracy.
• Communicate quality metrics and results to leadership regularly.
• Lead audits (local, state, federal, customers) and remediation efforts.

Skills

Quality management

GMP knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Team leadership

Auditing

Sanitation systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science/Dairy Science

Master’s degree in Food Science/Biology

Tools

LIMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

This position coordinates all Plant Food Safety and Quality activities for Savencia Cheese USA LLC. This position is responsible for ensuring that the production and distribution of products meets or exceeds all quality standards. This person also has responsibility for communicating quality results and the transfer of knowledge to the workforce. Also provides assurance that all Product and Documentation is checked & passes all Food Safety and Regulatory and Customer requirements before being released to the customer, Needs to follow all FDA,USDA and Savencia guidelines for all manufacturing requirements,

The position follows standard work methods and practices safe work habits to ensure production is as efficient and safe as possible.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Responsible for product safety and quality while meeting Company and regulatory standards and has oversight responsibility for a continuous quality improvement program that includes quality control and quality assurance.
• Manages the operation of the plant laboratory, including ensuring supplies and equipment are available.
• Ensures product safety, regulatory compliance, and compliance with company standards as stated in the Quality Manual, Laboratory Manual, and Company Policy and Programs by inspecting and auditing the product, process and all systems.

• Helps drive Continuous Improvement efforts in product quality/performance and process optimization.
• Provides leadership in coaching, education and training of plant employees (new hires) and refresher training for GMPs and PRPs.
• Active member of HACCP/FSP team.
• Provides Customer inputs into portals provided as required, and views/monitors postings to ensure all requirements are met.
• Reviews all product labels used in the facility and ensures adherence to regulatory and Company standards.
• Maintains or ensures the maintenance of the all QA related Database Systems for the facility (LIMS, etc.).
• Ensures adherence to appropriate regulations and Company standards for ingredient and finished product quality.
• Supervises the appropriate chemical, bacteriological, sensory and utilization tests on raw materials and finished products.
• Communicates quality metric and inspection results to appropriate Supervisors and others in leadership positions including, but not limited to daily, weekly or monthly KPI reporting to Corporate.
• Ensures that proper sanitation procedures are utilized and that adequate sanitation tests are performed; provides “troubleshooting” efforts in the event of sanitation system failure.
• Develops and maintains documentation of all required quality tests and activities.
• Leads local, state, customer/third party, group and federal audits and inspections.
• Responsible for QA lab budgetary control, including labor and “Cost of Quality” utilizing Continuous Improvement techniques.
• Ensures adherence to all contract packaging quality requirements.
• Leads by example with the Savencia Cheese USA Code of Ethics. This includes following Company policies, standards and specifications.
• Daily tasting, evaluating product holds, and product releases.

Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Quality Management
• Project Management
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Teamwork & Cooperation
• Results Orientation
• Performance Management
• Communication

Supervisory Responsibility

This position manages employees in the Quality lab and is responsible for the performance management and hiring of the employees within the department.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in an office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

The physical demands of an office position include mostly sitting and working at a computer.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel

This position requires up to 10% travel.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science or a science-based area of study with a focus on microbiology
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience
• Possess a working knowledge of sanitation systems, techniques and procedures
• Solid experience with Good Manufacturing Practices
• Experience leading and following Safety/Security Policies and Procedures
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and computer-based applications
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills
• Strong team player and leader with the ability to work across multiple functions and disciplines
• Ability to adapt to changing organizational and operational needs; ability to lead others through change
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to follow all Sanitation and Quality Policies and Procedures, and report and follow through on any deficiencies
• Knowledgeable in FSMA rules and regulations including Preventive Controls for Human Food, Sanitary Transportation Rule, Food Defense, Food Fraud, and Foreign Supplier Verification Programs
• Current Food Handlers Certificate (has up to 30 days to obtain)

Preferred Education and Experience

• Dairy experience
• Sensory experience
• Experience in Continuous Improvement (CI) Processes
• Imports
• Previous experience as a lead auditor
• Experience in soft ripened cheese or cream cheese applications

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Food Science or Biology

Food Safety and Product Quality

This position is responsible for supporting the food safety management system and for communicating food safety issues to the Quality Department.