Quality Assurance Manager

MaineGuide; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 101,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401K with match

ESPP

Life insurance

Paid vacation

Company holidays

Job summary

Primo Brands is seeking a seasoned QA leader for its Kingfield plant to drive quality initiatives and maintain the Quality Management System. You will oversee FSQS, coordinate audits, and report to Factory & Market Quality Managers while ensuring compliance and strong customer focus.

The role requires 10+ years in QA with at least 5 years in management within consumer beverages or food, strong regulatory knowledge, and excellent leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in chemistry, microbiology or related field preferred.
• 10+ years QA experience with 5+ years in QA management in consumer products.
• Experience with audits, ISO and regulatory standards.
• Knowledge of SPC, HACCP, sanitation and hygienic design.
• Strong leadership, project management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant for Company Quality initiatives and QM system.
• FSQS Team Leader; train and oversee FSQS program.
• Prepare for audits and respond to issues.
• Maintain quality checks, testing, sampling, sanitation records.
• Analyze quality and customer complaint data; drive improvements.
• Act as liaison with Customer Service Center and consumers.
• Maintain permitting and licensing for the plant.
• Manage budget, purchasing and QA operating supplies.
• Coordinate with vendors; build strong relationships.
• Develop initiatives to improve plant performance and TPM.
• Lead QA with Corporate QA and external labs; travel as needed.

Skills

Quality leadership

Project management

Communication skills

Data analysis

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in chemistry, microbiology or related field

Tools

SAP

Infinity

Excel

Word

Access

PowerPoint

Job description

Primo Brands is a leading branded beverage company in North America with a focus on healthy hydration. We are proud to offer an extensive and iconic portfolio of highly recognizable, sustainably sourced, and conveniently packaged branded beverages distributed across more than 150,000 retail outlets.

• Base Salary: $101,417 - $128,511, this role is eligible for an annual bonus.
• Location: Kingfield, ME
• Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, with occasional evening or weekend hours based on business needs.

Health Benefits: Medical, prescription, dental, vision, flexible spending account (FSA), dependent care flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA)

Retirement/Investing: 401K with a 5% match, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Insurance: Employee Life Insurance, short and long-term disability, critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, spouse/domestic partner/child life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment

Other great benefits: Employee discounts, save on auto, home, and pet insurance, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation and sick time, 9 paid holidays and 3 paid floating holidays, paid leave for when you have a baby, adopt a child, or become a foster parent, legal services, identity theft protection, employee assistance program (EAP), adoption reimbursement benefit, FEDlogic, commuter benefits

Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead within the plant for Company Quality initiatives including the implementation of Primo Brands Quality Management System
• Serves as Food Safety Quality System (FSQS) Team Leader to ensure the training of Food Safety Team Members, ensure that the FSQS is established, implemented, maintained, and updated and reports to the Factory & Market Quality Managers on FSQS effectiveness & suitability
• Prepare for all Company Quality Audits, ISO audits and respond to issues
• Ensure compliance and record keeping for all mandated quality checks, testing, sampling and sanitation activities
• Track, analyze, and lead initiatives for all quality and customer complaint issues within the plant
• Serve as primary plant liaison with the Customer Service Center, Consumer Affairs and with consumers for quality and complaint issues
• Prepare and maintain permitting and licensing for the plant
• Manage budgeting, purchasing and inventory of plant operating supplies such as filters, chemicals and lab supplies
• Coordinate activities and develop good relationship with key vendors
• Monitor the performance and competencies of plant QA staff and provide leadership, coaching and development as needed
• Lead the execution of cultural changes and activities needed to support Primo Brands Continuous Excellence and the pursuit of TPM, serve as primary lead for Q pillar
• Develop initiatives to improve plant performance against Primo Brands quality measures and ensure plant compliance with company and regulatory standards
• Provide day-to-day leadership to QA Department and act as the primary liaison to Corporate QA, Corporate and outside laboratories, and to external regulatory agencies (CFIA, IBWA, EPA, etc.).
• May serve as plant representative for regional quality forums and initiatives
• Ability to travel on a periodic basis

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master's degree in chemistry, microbiology or related field preferred
• 10 or more years of QA experience with 5 or more years of QA management experience within consumer products, specifically beverage, food or other clean manufacturing
• Prior microbiology laboratory management (preferred) and manufacturing line inspection experience
• Knowledge of ISO requirements and audits
• Knowledge of Statistical Process Control, HACCP, sanitation, and hygienic design
• Strong project management and computer skills, including Word, Excel, Access, & PowerPoint
• ERP system and Quality system experience needed, SAP and Infinity preferred
• Proven leadership skills, coaching and developing leaders & employees
• Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement and manage to/achieve metrics
• Strong communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with frontline employees, peers, and executives
• Ability to drive positive change in both processes and systems and culture
• Strong internal and external customer focus with great follow-up
• Ability to provide after-hours support to a 24/7 operation for critical issues
• Self-directed with high integrity and the maturity commensurate with being an effective manager
• Authorization to work in the United States is required; employment sponsorship is not available.

Salary Range Disclaimer:

The salary range provided for this position is an approximation based on market research, internal compensation data and the candidate’s qualifications and experience. Final salary offers are determined through a comprehensive evaluation of candidate qualifications and may vary depending on factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location of the position. Other components of the compensation package, including benefits and bonuses, will also be considered. We are committed to fair and equitable compensation practices, and we encourage open dialogue about compensation during the interview process.

Primo Brands’ established portfolio includes billion-dollar brands Poland Spring® and Pure Life®, premium brands like Saratoga® and Mountain Valley®, regional leaders such as Arrowhead®, Deer Park®, Ice Mountain® Ozarka®, and Zephyrhills®, purified brands, Primo Water® and Sparkletts®, and flavored and enhanced brands like Splash® and AC+ION®. Our extensive direct-to-consumer offerings and industry-leading line-up of innovative water dispensers create consumer connectivity through recurring water purchases across Water Direct, Water Exchange, and Water Refill. At Primo Brands, our more than 11,000 associates are at the heart of what we do and deliver on our mission to provide healthy hydration to consumers wherever, however and whenever they want it. We believe in fostering a respectful culture, which values our associates who are deeply invested in quality hydration, our communities, and the sustainability of our packaging and water sources for generations to come.

Primo Brands is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affinitive Action employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law.

Candidates must possess strong English language skills to effectively communicate with customers and provide exceptional service. Proficiency in English is essential for understanding customer needs, resolving inquiries, and collaborating with team members.