Quality Assurance Manager

Saputo Inc.; Murray (KY); On-site; USD 88,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Development opportunities

Competitive compensation

Community involvement

Job summary

Saputo Cheese USA Inc. is seeking a Quality Manager in Kentucky to safeguard product safety and quality across production and distribution. You will oversee QA, lab operations, and continuous improvement programs, ensuring regulatory and company standards are met.

The role requires a science-based degree and supervisory experience, with strong leadership and communication skills. You will report to the Plant Manager and contribute to audits and process optimization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science and at least 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Experience in dairy/food plant operations preferred.
• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the operation of the plant laboratory, ensuring supplies and equipment are available.
• Ensure product safety, regulatory compliance, and adherence to company and QA standards.
• Drive continuous improvement in quality and process optimization.
• Lead coaching, education and training of management staff and plant employees in Quality Assurance.
• Develop and maintain documentation of required quality tests and activities.
• Assist the Plant Manager with audits and inspections by local, state, and federal authorities.
• Oversee cost of quality and labor expenses using continuous improvement methods.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Communication skills

Change management

Team leadership

Adaptability

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

At Saputo, we bring good to the table by making high-quality products, investing in our people, and supporting communities around the world . As a top 10 global dairy processor, we value contributions that matter and strive to foster an inclusive, growth-driven work environment. Ready to bring your best?

How You Will Make Contributions That Matter

The Quality Manager is responsible for safeguarding 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. This person 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 quality and QA knowledge to the workforce.

• 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 Assurance Manual, Laboratory Manual, and Company directives.
• Drives Continuous Improvement efforts in product quality/performance and process optimization.
• Provides leadership in coaching, education and training of management staff and plant employees for Quality Assurance; seeks assistance as needed from other Company training resources.
• Develops, facilitates and maintains the Hazard Analysis Risk Based Preventative Controls program.
• Provides customer complaint feedback into GITS as required, and views/monitors customer complaints for trends and escalations.
• Implements and maintains all Company quality systems (i.e. SQF 2000).
• Reviews all product labels used in the facility and ensures adherence to regulatory and Company standards.
• Ensures adherence to appropriate regulations and Company standards for raw milk quality.
• Supervises the appropriate chemical, bacteriological, sensory and utilization tests on raw materials and pasteurized products.
• Communicates quality metric and inspection results to appropriate managers 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.
• Assists the Plant Manager in managing local, state, customer/third party, and federal audits and inspections.
• Is responsible for expense management and control, including labor and “Cost of Quality” utilizing Continuous Improvement techniques and a Management Operating Structure (MOS).
• Responsible for Non-GMO Activities
• Ensures adherence to all contract packaging quality requirements.
• Cooperates in a cross-functional manner as a change agent with all departments within the Company.
• Leads by example with the Company Code of Ethics. This includes following Company policies, standards and specifications.
• Engages in the typical responsibilities of a manager requiring planning, evaluating, organizing, integrating and delegating.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

You Are Best Suited For The Role If You Have The Following Experience, Skills, and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a science-based area of study and a minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Internal Candidates: A minimum of 5 years hands-on plant experience in the dairy plant or food industry operations, with a minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Possesses a working knowledge of sanitation systems, techniques and procedures.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills.
• Possesses understanding of the basics of change management.
• Ability to adapt to changing organizational and operational needs; ability to lead others through change.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Skill in organization and prioritization, and attention to detail.
• Strong team player and leader with the ability to work across multiple functions and disciplines.
• Ability to select, coach, develop, engage and retain a team of employees.

We Support and Care For Our Employees By Providing Them With…

• Development opportunities that enhance their career fulfillment
• Meaningful compensation & benefits that help them care for their families.
• Opportunities to contribute to your community and enhance the lives of others through Saputo products.

Compensation: $88,000 - $105,000 (qualifications / experience)

In the USA, Saputo ranks among the top three cheese producers and is one of the top producers of extended shelf-life and cultured dairy products, with a portfolio of well-loved brands such as Stella, Frigo Cheese, Montchevre, Stella, and Treasure Cave. We also boast a strong foodservice presence, partnering with reputable chain restaurants and broadline distributors.

Whether your expertise lies in manufacturing, operations, supply chain, sales, quality assurance, or in any other function, your role is integral to our success. You will make contributions that matter, all while working alongside colleagues who genuinely care about your success and who will roll up their sleeves to help.

Accessibility

Saputo Cheese USA Inc. endeavors to make Saputo.com/careers accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Human Resources at 214-863-2300 or email [e-mail]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

EEO

Saputo Cheese USA Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you'd like more information on your EEO rights under law, please visit www.EEOC.gov.

California Applicant Privacy Notice (CCPA)

To review the Saputo Cheese USA Inc. Privacy Notice for California applicants, please visit our Corporate website associated section by clicking here (English) or here (Spanish).