Quality Manager

Purpose
The Quality Manager is responsible for managing Quality Assurance Programs establishing, implementing, and monitoring Food safety and quality programs, including regulatory and customer audits. Ensuring food safety and quality of all products produced. Perform inspections of processes, employee training, compliance with applicable food laws and regulations, and verify Food safety plans. Manage the QA laboratory. Actively participates in resolving customer complaints. An integral part of the plant leadership team. Provides support to Sales and Operations on customer issues, questions, and concerns.
About us
The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) – established in 1916 – is a dairy farmer-owned and operated milk marketing cooperative and dairy processor. As the 10th largest dairy cooperative in the U.S., MMPA serves dairy farmers throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana, employing approximately 625 people in four states.
In addition to a cheese plant in Indiana called the Middlebury Cheese Company, and a dairy product plant in Ohio called Superior Dairy, MMPA operates two SQF Level 3 dairy ingredient plants in Michigan. Products made at MMPA’s plants include fluid milk, sour cream, cheese, ultra-filtered milk, cottage cheese, ice cream, butter, nonfat dry milk, cream and condensed skim milk.
Responsibilities and Duties

• Leadership of the Quality team at the Plant
• Oversee, implement, and maintain quality programs related to vendor certification, raw materials, product mock recall, hold and release, food safety, and quality programs
• Data analysis and trending to improve quality
• Work on customer complaint resolution (root cause analysis and development of corrective and preventive actions)
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams (Operations, Maintenance, Sales, Supply Chain etc.)
• Development and maintenance of all food safety regulatory programs to meet FDA/USDA/State regulatory requirements
• Oversee employee training for Food safety and GMPs
• Responsible for disposition of all held products, with input from the Plant Manager and Director of Quality (as needed)
• Act as a backup for the Director of Quality
• Oversee product quality with regard to meeting the specifications, and identification of defects
• Leadership of Plant Laboratory
• Track, report, and review the Quality Performance Indicators on a regular basis to drive continuous improvement
• Manage the cost of quality
• Conduct Effective Root Cause Analysis and implement corrective action and preventative action
• Direct management of quality assurance staff and testing laboratory
• Perform other duties, as assigned

Education and Work Experience Requirements

• BS Degree in Food Science, Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field required
• 5-7 years in quality/manufacturing/sanitation management roles working in food manufacturing environments
• Equivalent combination of education and experience
• Leadership skills
• Good communication skills to share ideas/technical information in an easy-to-understand way
• Basic data analysis skills (collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions)
• PCQI certified and SQF practitioner preferred, but not required
• Demonstrated initiative and desire to learn about the dairy industry
• Ability to ask questions and maintain accountability
• Be able to interact with employees at levels in the organization
• Shows interest in learning from and sharing the knowledge with other

Physical Requirements and Essential Functions
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, handle, reach above the shoulders, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl. The employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the responsibilities.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of responsibilities that are required of the role. Responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

MMPA provides the opportunity for meaningful work that makes a difference in the dairy industry and in our communities. The diverse talents and perspectives of our employees help us to meet the needs of our member farms and the customers we serve.

Job Type: Full-time