Quality Manager

At Saputo, our best comes from our people. We’re a talented and caring team with a longstanding history of excellence. Since our first days delivering cheese on a bicycle, we’ve grown into a leading global dairy processor by staying true to the culture that defines us. Each of our employees is committed to uphold our tradition of care, quality, and passion through food, and together, we foster an environment where we can all make contributions that matter–from our manufacturing plants to our office locations and everywhere in-between.

How You Will Make Contributions That Matter

• Responsible for providing quality assurance support to the operations department.

• Provides leadership, direction, and guidance for the Quality Department and plant personnel by understanding regulatory, customer, and internal Saputo quality requirements.

• Oversees all Quality Assurance systems to include, Process Evaluation and Product Protection Programs, Process Specifications and Standards, CIP Programs and Verifications, GMP’s, Product Labeling Compliance, and Product Storage and Distribution.

• Oversees the management of all quality training to include GMP, HACCP, Allergen, etc.

• Responsible for leading and managing the Las Cruces Quality Department and all related job functions. Develops teamwork and cross-functionality.

• Resolves employee issues and concerns or engages the Plant Manager and/or Human Resources to assist in unsettled issues.

• Serves as the SQF expert for the facility. Maintains overall responsibility for adherence to current SQF guidelines and requirements and SQF audit corrective actions.

• Serves as plant PCQI and maintains/oversees plant Food Safety Plan.

• Reviews and provides SQF updates to personnel responsible for maintaining raw material specification and certificate of analysis documentation.

• Monitors quality control systems to optimize detection or failures in the manufacturing process to include Hold Programs and Rock Recalls, Lab Proficiency and Procedures, Product Testing and Review, Product Functionality Evaluation, Process Verification Programs, Internal and External Audits, Environment Microbiological Monitoring Programs, and Supplier complaints.

• Leads quality and efficiency problem-solving efforts through the facilitation of team meetings and on-the-floor leadership to effectively influence positive change and continuous improvement.

• Communicates frequently with the corporate QA Team to remain proactive in satisfying customer requirements.

• Develops and ensures implementation of food safety and monitoring programs to meet corporate and regulatory standards. Oversees and monitors quality programs (i.e. HACCP, GMP, SQF, Positive Release, Pest Control, Sanitation programs, in-process sampling, lab technical validation program, hold and release and product disposition etc.)

• Interacts with Corporate Quality Assurance on implementation and maintenance of Quality Systems and Programs.

• Prepares plant and leads efforts involving 3rd party Customer/Plant Audits.

• Interacts with regulatory compliance agencies (i.e. CDFA, USDA, FDA, etc.).

• Updates reports on product quality, environmental results and incident activities.

• Perform miscellaneous duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary.
• Demonstrate good interpersonal communication skills.
• Understand and follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s).

• Perform all duties in a safe and efficient manner.

• Promptly report any unsafe working conditions.

• Demonstrate integrity in all business activities with employees, visitors and vendors.

• Comply with all food safety and quality system and regulatory requirements.

• Reliable and consistent attendance and available to work any shift, overtime or holidays as required; may be required to cover the absence of key personnel.

You Are Best Suited For The Role If You have the following education, experience and skills:

• Values that align with the Saputo culture: Efficiency through Simplicity, Family Environment, Ownership and Commitment, Hands-on Approach, Passion.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Food Science or combination of equivalent education, training and experience; and minimum of 5 years’ experience in Quality Assurance and/or 3-5 years dairy processing/manufacturing experience.
• Intermediate level knowledge of computer programs (i.e. Excel, Word, Maestro, etc.).
• Working knowledge of QA management principles, practices and procedures.
• Self-motivated, accurate self-insight, builds organizational talent by teaching and coaching, customer/quality oriented, maintains a positive view point and is persuasive.
• Ability to work flexible hours (i.e. Rotating days off, as needed).
• Ability to interpret a variety of technical information in mathematical and/or narrative form and deal with abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to define problems, research and collect information, analyze data and establish facts, draw valid conclusions and clearly and concisely present solutions or make effective recommendations.
• Must be self-motivated, results oriented, possess high degree of initiative, and work well under pressure.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Being able to resolve issues/problems that involve numerous variables in demanding situations.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Must be able to stoop, kneel, and squat for several minutes at a time.
• Must frequently be able to stand on feet for extended time.
• Must be able to lift up to thirty (30) pounds.
• Must be able to enter confined spaces.
• Ability to reach with hands and arms, and talk and hear.
• Employee is required to stand, walk, and use hands to finger, handle or feel.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perceptions and ability to adjust focus.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to moving mechanical parts.
• Environment is occasionally damp and cold. Caustic, acid, and chlorine chemicals will be used and may emit fumes into the air.
• Floors may be wet and slippery.
• Room temperatures will range from 35 degrees F. to an excess of 130 degrees F.
• The use of safety glasses, ear plugs, dust masks, rubber gloves, rubber boots and aprons are all necessary in this area.

We Support and Care For Our Employees By Providing:

• Development opportunities that enhance you career fulfillment
• Meaningful compensation & benefits that help you care for your family
• Opportunities to contribute to your community and enhance the lives of others through Saputo products

Saputo is among the top three cheese producers in the USA and one of the largest producers of extended shelf-life and cultured dairy products. We have a diversified product portfolio with well-known retail brands, such as Friendship Dairies, Frigo Cheese, Montchevre, Stella and Treasure Cave, and a strong foodservice presence, partnering with chain restaurants and broadline distributors. Thanks to our countrywide footprint and national and international distribution networks, we're proud to bring our best to our customers and, consumers and have plenty of opportunities for our employees to grow in their own way. And we do it while also striving to build a healthier future for our people and the communities where we operate, guided by our values and the Saputo Promise. To learn more about Saputo in the USA, please click here. ( http://saputo.com/en/our-products/usa-sector )

Join the Saputo Dairy USA team to make your contributions matter every day!

Saputo Cheese USA Inc. and Saputo Dairy Foods USA, LLC endeavors to make CareersUSA.Saputo.com accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Human Resources at 214-863-2300 or email us.recruitingsupport@saputo.com . This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Saputo Cheese USA Inc. and Saputo Dairy Foods USA, LLC are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you'd like more information on your EEO rights under law, please visit www.EEOC.gov .

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