Quality Assurance Manager

Valley Queen; Milbank (SD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Valley Queen Milbank Plant is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to lead quality and food safety programs, ensuring FSMA, SQF, Grade A and customer standards are met. You will drive continuous improvement, oversee a team of supervisors, and use data-driven decisions to protect product integrity.

The role requires developing frontline leadership, coordinating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring regulatory compliance and budget adherence to support Valley Queen’s objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent.
• Minimum five years progressively responsible experience, including two years leading teams.
• Experience in dairy processing or manufacturing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Owns day-to-day performance of the department, ensuring safety, quality, and operational standards.
• Establishes, monitors, and delivers KPI’s aligned with goals.
• Leads and develops Supervisors and Leads to ensure strong execution.
• Coaches employees and identifies growth opportunities.
• Coordinates and supports execution of projects within scope and timelines.
• Communicates effectively across departments and partners with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Leadership

Business Acumen

Problem Solving

Technical Capacity

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

5+ years experience, including 2+ years leading teams

Job description

VQ Milbank Plant and all Facilities, Milbank, SD, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1864

Classification: Exempt
Reports to: Director – Quality Assurance & Food Safety

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Quality Assurance Manager leads quality and food safety programs, ensuring compliance with FSMA, SQF, Grade A and customer standards, protecting product integrity through preventive controls and prerequisite programs, and driving continuous improvement across operations through data-driven decision‑making and cross-functional collaboration. Executing direction set by the Director and ensuring consistent performance across their team. This position is accountable for team performance, operational results, and developing front‑line leadership capability. This role plays a critical part in driving consistency, reinforcing standards, and ensuring that systems, processes, and expectations are effectively implemented to support Valley Queen’s operational and business objectives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Owns the day-to-day performance of the department, ensuring safety, quality, and operational standards are consistently met along with schedules, staffing plans, and processes.
• Executes departmental goals and priorities aligned with company strategy.
• Establishes, monitors, and delivers KPI’s aligned with departmental and organizational goals.
• Leads and develops Supervisors and Leads to ensure strong execution and team effectiveness.
• Reinforces culture, expectations, and leadership behaviors established by the organization.
• Ensures role clarity and accountability across their team to drive efficient operations.
• Builds and maintains a highly engaged, performance-driven team environment.
• Supports talent development by coaching employees and identifying growth opportunities.
• Drives accountability through regular performance discussions and follow-up.
• Identifies operational challenges and implements solutions to improve performance.
• Ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Executes continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency and cost control.
• Utilizes data and metrics to improve decision‑making and performance.
• Supports budget adherence by managing resources effectively.
• Coordinates and supports execution of projects within scope and timelines.
• Communicates effectively across departments.
• Partners with cross-functional teams to improve operations.

COMPETENCIES

• Leadership / Accountability
• Business Acumen
• Problem Solving / Analysis
• Technical Capacity

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position supervises supervisors, leads, and/or employees and is responsible for the day-to-day direction, coordination, and performance management of the assigned team.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands for this position primarily involve sedentary and light activity. The employee may be required to sit, stand, walk, and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.

TRAVEL

This position will require occasional travel.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience in the applicable area of responsibility. Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible experience, including at least two (2) years demonstrated success leading teams and delivering results is essential.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Experience in dairy processing or manufacturing. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

OTHER DUTIES

This job description is not designed to cover all duties. Responsibilities may change at any time.