Manager, FSQA

Job Title: Quality & Food Safety Manager

Location: Mishawaka, IN

Department: QA

Job Type: Salary

About United Petfood:

United Petfood is a private label producer of high-quality dry & wet pet food, biscuits and snacks. We are a Belgian family business with 25 high-tech pet kitchens in Europe and the US. 

Joining us, means joining an international, passionate and driven team with one common goal: a healthy planet filled with healthy pets! But it doesn’t stop there: we truly care about building encouraging, supportive, long-lasting partnerships, both inside as well as outside of our fast-growing family company. By only working with the very best ingredients and most innovative technology available, we ensure a spot in which you can grow, bloom and make thousands of pets happy worldwide!

Position Summary: Our Mishawaka Quality and Food Safety team at United Petfood Producers USA Inc. is made up of professionals who understand the difference our products make in the lives of pets. We are currently seeking a Quality & Food Safety Manager to join our team. This position is based in our Mishawaka manufacturing plant, located near South Bend, Indiana. Reporting to the Director of Quality and Food Safety, the Quality & Food Safety Manager will lead Food Safety and Quality programs at our manufacturing facility in Mishawaka, IN. This includes leading the management and oversight of FSMA compliance, GFSI on-going certification, and execution of site quality systems to ensure compliance with corporate Food Safety / Quality Assurance requirements and other related initiatives.

Position Description (Responsibilities):

• Ensure that the business is advised and complies with FDA Food Safety Modernization Act requirements.
• Oversee and maintain all BRC program requirements for the plant.
• Lead the current quality assurance and food safety processes which tie into business site-specific and corporate objectives.  This includes ongoing FSMA compliance, Food Safety Plans (Preventive Controls), regulatory and certification audits, quality systems management, development of standard operating procedures (SOP's), incoming ingredient inspections, food safety audits, consumer concern investigations and calibration programs.
• Oversee plant interactions and relationship with FDA, GFSI Certification Body, customers and consultants.
• Manage finished product evaluation system and provide leadership to drive improvements in key customer/consumer Quality attributes.
• Support training of staff and ensure maintenance of all training records on critical food safety and quality requirements. Oversee monitoring, verification, and validation activities to ensure that all products leaving the facility meet the facility Food Safety and Quality Plans.
• Provide guidance and leadership in situations where deviations have occurred, or a potential risk has been identified related to food safety and/or quality attributes by assuring root causes are addressed through a corrective and preventive action process. 
• Manage and provide leadership in implementing an effective and efficient documented CAPA program.
• Manage/ Oversee pest control program and microbiological testing to assure compliance with regulatory, GFSI and Corporate Food Safety & Quality standards.
• Reassess Quality and Safety Food plan(s) throughout the change management process which is required whenever there is a change to program, process, procedure, ingredient, equipment, industry philosophy, technology, etc.
• Develop data capture and analysis capabilities within the business and lead the development and implementation of statistical tools and systems to support continuous process and product improvement.  
• Lead the site development of digitization of process and QA documentation.
• Act as an active contributor on the Site Senior Management Team to meet all business objectives.  
• Development of succession plans for assigned associates.
• Support the development of corporate supplier quality management programs to help ensure the procurement of quality raw materials and packaging components used in the manufacturing of products.
• Provide assistance to product and process improvement activities by supporting research and development manufacturing trials at the site.
• Facilitate Food Defense programs.
• Other duties as assigned

Workplace Safety:

• Completes safety system documentation and verifies compliance to program standards. Reports deviations to Supervisor. 
• Participates in mandatory safety trainings and adheres to all safety policies
• Required to report all safety issues, near misses, and injuries

Quality & Food Safety:

• Completes quality & food safety system documentation and verifies compliance to program standards. Reports deviations to Supervisor.
• Participates in mandatory food safety and quality training program requirements
• Preserves the integrity of the BRC system through adherence to the policies and procedures outlined. Takes actions necessary to resolve food safety and quality system deficiencies
• Required to report food safety and quality system failures and take actions necessary to preserve the BRC system.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in the field.
• 5 - 10 years of food processing experience, with at least 3 years supervisory role in a manufacturing environment under USDA and/or FDA and HACCP.
• Experience in the implementation and maintenance of GFSI programs.
• Demonstrate leadership in the areas of food safety and plant regulatory affairs
• HACCP and/or PCQI training preferred 
• Must have strong organizational and leadership skills
• Experience implementing and using statistical process control tools in a manufacturing environment
• Able to work with cross functional departments within the organization
• Strong problem-solving skills and corrective & preventive action/resolution skills
• Strong computer skills with experience using Word, Excel, Access, Power Point. 
• Ability to manage and develop staff at all levels.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Able to prioritize and handle multiple projects simultaneously, under tight time constraints and within budget parameters
• Well-developed written and oral presentation skills
• Ability to collaborate and influence cross-functionally
• Demonstrates positive attitude and takes a proactive approach
• Sees challenges as opportunities and translates them into actionable tasks
• Energized by fast-paced environment
• Great relationship management abilities

Relationships:

• Reports to Corporate Quality and Food Safety Director with a dotted line relationship to the Plant Director
• 3 direct reports – Quality Specialist, HACCP Coordinator and QAFS Supervisor
• 8 indirect reports – QA Techs
• Works directly with plant staff, operators and mechanics in resolving issues

Top 5 Competencies:

• Ability to Lead
• Action Oriented
• Collaboration
• Planning
• Technical Knowledge and Skills

Equal Opportunity Employer: United Petfood Producers USA Inc. is an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.