Quality Assurance Manager (Food Manufacturing)

The Original Cakerie; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 105,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental & Vision

Paid vacation & holidays

Retirement contribution

Job summary

Dessert Holdings, based in Aurora, CO, is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to lead QA programs and ensure regulatory compliance for safe, high-quality desserts. This role focuses on SQF, HACCP, and GMP while aligning with company objectives and customer requirements.

Typical hiring range is $105,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on education, experience, and location, plus comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, paid vacation/holidays, and retirement contributions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food science, microbiology, biochemistry or related field.
• 5+ years leading a QA team and implementing QA strategies.
• Auditing experience with HACCP, GFSI, AIB, SPC and related programs.
• Strong knowledge of QA methodologies and product formulation controls.
• PCQI Certification preferred or in progress.

Responsibilities

• Develop facility-wide QA policies and SOPs.
• Lead QA operations to meet customer, company, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage QA staff activities, schedule, and performance.
• Oversee documentation control, process control, QMS, and training systems.
• Lead product development support to ensure quality and shelf life.
• Investigate consumer and customer complaints.
• Plan and verify audits; analyze results and deficiencies.

Skills

QA leadership

QA methodologies

Documentation control

Staff coaching

Education

Bachelor's in food science/microbiology/biochemistry

Tools

PCQI

Job description

Quality Assurance Manager

Opportunity Overview

Are you ready to elevate your career in manufacturing operations and be a part of creating the world’s best desserts? Dessert Holdings partners with some of North America’s most iconic chains to bring people together to celebrate life’s sweetest moments! We have an amazing opportunity to join a high-growth organization and pave the way for future career advancement.

Dessert Holdings is looking for a Quality Assurance Manager to be based in Aurora, CO. The QA Manager will provide leadership and ensure the customer, company, and regulatory requirements are met through compliance with Quality Management Systems including SQF, HACCP, and GMP to ensure safety and quality of employees and products.

The typical hiring range for this role is $105,000 to $120,000 annually and is based on several factors such as education, work experience, skills, certifications, location, etc. In addition to pay, Dessert Holdings offers benefits such as a choice of comprehensive medical plans, dental and vision insurance, paid vacation and holidays, and retirement contribution to all eligible employees.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for developing quality assurance policies for facility wide quality management programs as well as in organization standardization projects.
• Provide leadership and ensure the customer, company, and regulatory requirements are met in all aspects of the QA operations.
• Manage QA compliance staff activities, schedule, and performance (includes staff that coordinates Environmental Programs).
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of SOPs, forms, Document control, Process control, QMS, and training systems.
• Provide leadership and participate in all reviews of QA, management and product development.
• Provide leadership and technical support for any new product development to ensure procedures are effective to optimize quality and shelf life.
• On going support of QA procedures and CI initiatives throughout the facility.
• Coach, train, mentor, and support QA team members.
• Investigate and follow-up on consumer and customer complaints.
• Provide technical support to vendor compliance, sanitation, and operational issues.
• Ensure that all products for release meet all testing and manufacturing specifications and are accurately labeled, identified, and counted
• Manages traceability and recall functions.
• Propose preventive measures and promote programs to improve the Quality Management System to the executive committee.
• Plan and verify the execution of Audits, analyzing the results and deficiencies found.
• Provide SPC & data support for all operations when and where needed.
• Supports in promoting Food safety quality culture across all teams.
• Participates and provides support in all organizational standardization activities.
• Ensures that facilities are maintained, and all duties are performed in compliance with all applicable food safety standards and good manufacturing practices.
• Understands the management of Quality Systems and is familiar with SQF, HACCP, and GMP practices which help ensure the safety within the workplace and the production of a safe and quality product(s)
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in food science, microbiology, biochemistry or related field. Advanced education and degree preferred.
• At least five years' experiencemanaging a Quality team and implementing QA strategies.
• Experience with auditing, HACCP, GFSI, AIB, SPC and other quality measuring programs.
• Strong knowledge of quality assurance methodologies and strategies with a sound understanding of product formulation controls and documentation
• Previous experience in benchmarking, integrating, and implementing best practices.
• Superior verbal and written skills for clearly delegating tasks to team members and for effectively communicating results to management.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Leads with minimal to no supervision and demonstrates strong leadership skills.
• Ability to take initiative; manage tight deadlines.
• Computer proficiency
• Must be able to successfully complete PCQI Certification

PREFERRED

• Bilingual preferred (English and Spanish)
• 5+ years of food manufacturing environment.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• PCQI and SQF Practitioner preferred.

About Dessert Holdings

Dessert Holdings is a collection of premium dessert companies and brands: The Original Cakerie, Lawler’s Desserts, Atlanta Cheesecake Company, Steven Charles, Dianne’s Fine Desserts, Kenny’s Great Pies, and Willamette Valley Pie Company. Dessert Holdings is owned by Bain Capital, is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, employs more than 3,800 people across ten manufacturing facilities, and is continuing its journey of rapid growth.

EEO Statement

Dessert Holdings and its related entities provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristics protected by law.