Quality Manager

Land O'Lakes, Inc.; Neosho (MO); On-site; USD 81,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is seeking a Quality Manager to lead site quality, safety, and regulatory programs in a fast-paced manufacturing setting. You will drive continuous improvement, coach staff, and ensure robust adherence to EQMS and product safety policies.

The role partners with operations to maintain high-quality standards and effective issue resolution. The position emphasizes proactive leadership, strategic problem solving, and hands-on involvement with the production team to sustain quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant leadership experience.
• 4-6 years of progressive experience in manufacturing, operations, quality, or a related environment, including leadership responsibilities.
• Proven ability to drive accountability, manage competing priorities, and effectively lead in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality, product safety, and regulatory compliance at the site.
• Develop employees and coach on quality standards and regulatory initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement and root-cause analysis to resolve issues.

Skills

Leadership

Quality systems

Root cause analysis

Coaching

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Quality Manager

The Quality Manager serves as the site leader for quality, product safety, and regulatory compliance within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This role requires a proactive, confident leader who demonstrates strong initiative, sound judgment, and the courage to address challenges, drive accountability, and make decisions that protect product safety and quality. Working within an established quality management system, the manager partners closely with operations to ensure consistent execution of quality standards, develop employees, resolve issues, and drive continuous improvement. Success in this role requires strong leadership, adaptability, and a willingness to learn the technical aspects of the business. The organization operates within an established Enterprise Quality Management System (EQMS), providing standardized policies, procedures, and quality expectations. The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for ensuring effective execution of these programs at the site level, identifying opportunities for improvement, and supporting implementation of changes as business or regulatory needs evolve. You will also interact with the production staff, providing coaching and training on quality standards, Product Safety Plan/Hazard Analysis, and other regulatory initiatives. You will also lead continuous improvement projects and provide root cause analysis and corrective actions to resolve issues.

Duty or Area of Responsibility

• 60% To ensure product safety and quality systems implementation, training, assessment, and compliance. Conduct root cause and corrective/preventive action analysis of customer complaints and internal issues related to manufacturing errors. Creating, updating, and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs). Proactively manage and resolve product safety and regulatory issues in collaboration with head office quality team. Provide targeted follow-up on claims and complaints Build and sustain a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement through employee engagement, coaching, and cross-functional collaboration.
• 20% Develop a working knowledge of pre-mix Quality Control, systems, processes, and procedures related to plant manufacturing. Act as the champion for product safety/quality; monitor and repost on trends alerting the Director and/or Senior Quality Assurance Manager.
• 20% Lead assigned projects in critical process monitoring and capability; working with operations, QA/QC, and plants to establish new product/process measurements and preventative control at the source.

Job Scope

• Impacts all aspects of daily quality, product safety, and regulatory compliance. Manage a 3-5 member team.

Required Experience/Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant leadership experience. 4-6 years of progressive experience in manufacturing, operations, quality, or a related environment, including leadership responsibilities. Proven ability to drive accountability, manage competing priorities, and effectively lead in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment. Experience coaching, developing, and influencing employees across multiple functions. Strong problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills.

Competencies & Other Skills needed

• Possess integrity in products, processes, and relationships.
• Strong communication/interpersonal/training/coaching skills.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Analytical problem solving/root cause analysis.
• Ability to be tactical, insightful and act strategically.
• Ability to handle customer complaints.
• Demonstrated initiative, ownership, and ability to independently identify issues and drive timely resolution.
• Strong professional courage and sound judgment to address difficult situations, challenge decisions constructively, and uphold quality and product safety standards.
• Ability to influence operational leadership, navigate competing priorities, and maintain productive working relationships while ensuring accountability.

Salary: $81,200 - $121,800 In most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges.

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list. We provide a broad portfolio of benefits to keep you and your family at your best. Land O'Lakes is Where Your Future Takes Root.

Land O’Lakes is a Fortune 250, farmer-owned agriculture and food manufacturing cooperative. We are headquartered just outside the Twin Cities, with locations across the US and a presence in 60 countries around the world.

Land O’Lakes and our global entities support diversity in employment practices.