FreshRealm is looking for a Quality Assurance Manager responsible for in-plant process controls to ensure compliance with FreshRealm's Quality and Safety policy and regulatory standards to ensure food safety and safe production standards are adhered to. Manages and directs a fast-paced QA department within a FreshRealm facility. Ensures maximum efficiency while at all times maintaining the highest standards of quality, legislative, and company specifications. Provides training and motivation to team members, using recognition, positive feedback, and other rewards with appropriate discretion in a continuous improvement environment. Follows all health and safety standards and creates and enforces the use of GMPs and PPEs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee quality operations and equipment to ensure conformance to specifications and make or order necessary process or assembly adjustments.
• Responsible for creating and modifying team member work schedules, adjusting schedules, and granting time off, as appropriate, to ensure effective communications at all levels and complete all necessary administrative work. Actively resolve problems that team members raised to you. You will give positive feedback to help build their confidence and provide constructive criticism to develop their skills. Responsible for coaching and discipline of team members.
• Conduct and ensure daily and general audits of QA operational activities are carried out. Ensure QA continues to deliver and drive the highest standards possible. Serves as the key point of contact during pre-operational checks and day-to-day functions. Discuss inspection results with those responsible for products and recommend necessary corrective actions. Verify product quality and ensure product knowledge.
• Ensure products are inspected, tested, and measured for conformance to specifications.
• Manage HACCP and GMP Program to ensure hygiene and good manufacturing practices (GMP) are being used. Provide technical support for the cross-functional teams to ensure a high degree of compliance with company quality and safety policy.
• Work closely with onsite USDA inspector.
• Ensure that raw materials, packaging, labels, and final products that do not meet acceptance criteria are rejected or retained.
• Establish, maintain, and promote good communications with all departments, levels of management, and external representatives as required. Offer mentoring, coaching, and support to new QA team members, Associates, Team Leads, Supervisors, and Plant Managers.
• Responsible for verifying, collating, and logging Key Performance Indicators (KPI) information and ensuring quality panel and testing are conducted regularly. Deals with staff and effectively manages the labor resource and controls this within the given budgets/targets for the required output issues of discipline, grievance, and welfare within the guidelines laid out in the Company’s published policies and procedures. To maintain and not exceed departmental budgets.
• Liaise with the Commercialization department on ‘product trials’ to ensure all appropriate people, IT equipment, and materials are available and that the trial is run effectively and efficiently.
• To be aware of and ensure that others are also aware of inspections, tours, and visits and that all necessary preparation is carried out. Be the first point of contact for all external quality audits and Government / State agencies.
• Responsible for the highest level of health and safety for the employees, agency employees, and the consumer. Required to report and complete ‘Accident / Incident’ forms and conduct any necessary investigation, taking measures to prevent additional problems or re-occurrence. Ensures proper training and re-training is conducted as needed.
• Performs other duties as necessary.

Qualifications:

Skills and Requirements

• Minimum 5 years experience in the food industry, with 3 years of experience in the Quality Assurance environment preferred
• Experience working in a food manufacturing environment applying common processes, procedures, and equipment. Experience managing in a chilled fresh food manufacturing business preferred.

Experience / Education

• Advanced education in Food Science, Food Safety, or Culinary Arts is preferred.
• A related degree or certificate in HACCP, Food Science, Food Handling, Culinary Arts, or other related training or education is preferred.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental, vision, pet insurance and legal insurance
• 401(k) with company match that is immediately vested
• Life and ADD insurance
• Opportunities for career growth with a dynamic company that is changing the landscape of fresh meals.
• Unlimited paid time off

Our Values at Work

We believe that ACTIONS speak louder than words and our company values align to those ACTIONS.

In Our Daily Work, This Looks Like

• ACCOUNTABILITY: Set clear objectives and prioritize your tasks Hold yourself and your teams accountable for meeting deadlines Learn from your mistakes and use it as a learning opportunity to improve next time
• CHALLENGE WITH CURIOSITY: We challenge and engage with each other through curiosity and a drive to innovate and transform. This encourages us to learn from one another, be open-minded to other perspectives and possibilities, and continuously improve and problem-solve with intensity. We persevere through challenges, observe patterns, and pay attention to the details to make connections others may overlook, allowing us to exceed expectations.
• TRANSPARENCY & HONESTY: Maintain open and consistent communication. Admit mistakes and take ownership Document decisions to help avoid misunderstandings
• INNOVATION: Work with the end-user in mind and create solutions that will add value Question existing norms, assumptions, and best practices Experiment and take calculated, data-driven risks
• OBJECTIVITY: Utilize data and make data-driven decisions at every opportunity
• NIMBLENESS: Utilize time management to help stay focused and on task with urgency es and make adjustments accordingly Delegate and trust others to handle specific responsibilities with resources and support
• SUCCESS THROUGH OUR CUSTOMERS: Know your audience and the type of work they expect to receive as the end-result of a project, initiative, or task Seek feedback at different stages to ensure you’re on the right track Foster collaboration among cross-functional teams to ensure you’re providing the best experience and service to our consumers
• Employee pay will vary based on factors such as qualifications, experience, skill level, competencies and work location. We will meet minimum wage or minimum of the pay range (whichever is higher) based on city, county and state requirements
• We are an Equal Opportunity Employer