Senior Manager Quality Operations

Agropur Cooperative; United States; On-site; USD 124,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

Life Insurance

401(k) 7% company contributions

PTO 3 weeks

Holidays & floating holidays

Parental leave

Advancement opportunities

Job summary

Agropur Cooperative in Minnesota is seeking a Senior Manager, Quality Operations to lead quality systems deployment and continuous improvement across multiple US sites. You will drive safety, regulatory compliance, and performance indicators while partnering with plant leadership and global quality functions.

You will oversee CAPA processes, investigations, and audits, develop robust training programs, and advance a strong quality culture with succession planning for plant quality teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science or related field required.
• Minimum five years of experience in quality control or food production.
• Minimum three years of experience in the dairy industry.
• Knowledge of SQF, HACCP, GMP and food safety regulations.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%.
• HACCP, PCQI and SQF certifications required.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and compliance of products across US sites (2–4 sites).
• Provide technical and quality expertise to prevent or react to quality-related trends and issues.
• Lead investigations, CAPA, and respond to audits by customers and government agencies.
• Develop and standardize quality programs and documentation.
• Support training on GMP, HACCP, GFSI and related practices.

Skills

Quality control

Leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Food Science and Technology

Job description

Job Type: Regular Rigor, discipline, and professionalism are essential to deliver sustainable results. People are at the heart of everything we do. We believe in working together, speaking honestly, taking ownership, and creating value in everything we deliver. Our culture is built on collaboration, accountability, and a shared commitment to growing stronger together. Joining the team means being part of an environment where people support each other and take pride in making a real impact. A structured work environment: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short and Long-term Disability Insurance; 401(k) with 7% company contributions; 3 weeks Paid Time Off; Paid holidays and 2 floating holidays; Paid parental leave; Advancement Opportunities.

Salary range 007: $124,200 to $155,300 (Salary will be determined based on skills, education, training & experience related to the position.)

We are looking for a Sr. Manager Quality Operations at our Le Sueur, MN Office. The Senior Manager, Quality Operations reports to the Director, Quality Operations (U.S. Operations) and provides technical and quality leadership to support the deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement of quality systems across 3 to 5 manufacturing sites. This role is responsible for establishing and tracking quality performance indicators, managing food safety risks, improving first-pass quality, and ensuring compliance with customer and regulatory requirements. The incumbent leads the development, implementation, and maintenance of robust quality programs and controls, and intervenes promptly in quality or food safety issues by overseeing investigations, corrective and preventive actions, and by ensuring clear, timely communication with plant leadership and the commercial quality function. The Senior Manager also plays a key role in fostering a strong quality culture by developing the competencies, autonomy, and succession of plant quality teams.

Your day-to-day responsibilities: Ensures the safety and compliance of products manufactured assigned US sites under within responsibility (2 to 4 sites). Provide technical and quality expertise to the plant in order to prevent or react to quality-related trends and issues. Follow-up on quality objectives, projects and planned quality activities of the sites. Intervene in corrective action plans following internal and external (customers and government) audits in the plant. Act as the quality contact person for the plants with the Senior Director – Manufacturing Operations, QC and plant management, State and Federal Inspection Agencies representatives, Customers, Certifiers, and Global quality functions. Responsible for assessing and intervening in the management of risks, trends, major projects, and the escalation and decision making that accompanies them. Support the implementation and standardization of quality programs and documentation (guidelines, procedures, instructions, records, codes, guides, etc.). Ensure that the updating and standardization of quality systems are completed in accordance with changes such as validation, new equipment, processes, products or improvements. Lead assigned projects to implement new programs (i.e. global quality roadmap), improve quality performance, or address a specific or systemic issue. Ensure that the plants under the position responsibility meet the expected objectives and key performance indicators by identifying and addressing the needs to build capabilities. Follow-up and make periodic recommendations on the results and quality trends of the plants (i.e., quality alerts, CAPA closure, on-time maintenance, first pass quality). Participate in the supervision and recruitment of the plant quality resources that report to the position through a functional link (matrix organization). Research and share industry best practices with the sites under the position responsibility and work to standardize these practices between the sites and those under the oversight of collaborators. Identify, prepare and conduct required quality training (GMP, HACCP, GFSI, biosafety, washing and sanitation, equipment inspection, etc.). Maintain and develop knowledge to stay informed and current, and to ensure progression within the organization.

The level of rigor expected: Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science and Technology or other science related field required. Equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered. Minimum five (5) years of experience in quality control or food production required. Minimum three (3) years of experience in the dairy industry. Good knowledge of the SQF code, HACCP system, GMP and food safety regulations required. Availability to travel regularly in multiple states (up to 50%) required. HACCP, PCQI and SQF certifications required.

Business Acumen & Strategic Insight Strong understanding of business operations, market dynamics, competitive landscape, and how organizational strategies translate into value and results.

Leadership & Change Management Demonstrated ability to work autonomously, lead initiatives, influence stakeholders at all levels, and support organizational change through effective communication and problem-solving.

Process Improvement & Analytical Skills Proven capability to analyze complex situations, implement and optimize processes, identify synergies, simplify workflows, and measure performance to drive continuous improvement.

Communication & Collaboration Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with executives, managers, cross-functional teams, and global partners in a collaborative environment.

A role for those who take their work seriously and deliver consistently. #LI-CH-1

Agropur welcomes people from all backgrounds and origins. We are proud to be an employer with a diverse community and are committed to providing a respectful and inclusive experience for all employees and applicants. We will work with candidates who request accommodation. Please note that an adequate knowledge of French is required for positions in Quebec.

Agropur uses artificial intelligence technology to assist our recruiters in screening, assessing, or selecting applicants for this position. In this text, the use of the masculine gender to designate persons is intended only to lighten the text.

Agropur is an E-Verify Employer (US Operations). To view legal notices, click on links provided below: View Right to Work Poster (English/Spanish) View E-Verify Participation Poster (English/Spanish).