Quality Manager

Quality Manager

The Quality Manager is responsible for managing the Food Safety and Quality Department, Quality Lab, Audit Process and Food Safety/Security for Land O' Lakes Pine Island, MN location.

The primary focus of this position is to provide local leadership in quality, food safety and regulatory compliance through adherence to specifications, implementation of QMS and BRCGS certification.

Must have a strong knowledge of state and federal requirements.

Quality manager must maintain a close working relationship with the site management teams and the quality assurance staff at the facility, and corporate quality.

Effectively coordinates, staffs, and utilizes available resources to formulate action plans for process and quality improvements including employee safety, regulatory requirements, cost reduction, etc.

Fully Support all programs including QMS, BRCGS, Cost to Serve and Asset Reliability Programs.

Upholds and demonstrates Land O'Lakes values and vision.

Adhere to all guidelines addressed in the Management Responsibility Program.

Support quality mission statement, company quality policy and implement continuous improvement under the guidance and direction of the Plant Manager.

Required Experience - Education:

• Bachelor's in Food Science, Biology or Dairy Technology or related field (preferred)

• Minimum of 5 years hands-on plant experience in the dairy plant or food industry operations, with a 1 plus years of people leadership supervisory experience

• GFSI certification (BRCGS certification preferred)

• Ability to interact with regulatory personnel, including practical audit experience

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written

• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative management style to create an engaged, motivated and high performing team

Essential Duties:

• Direct, train, and advise personnel in test procedures and ensure compliance with quality system requirements to deliver safe and quality food products

• Investigate and respond to all quality assurance related consumer complaints

• Design, oversee, update, and review HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) plan to meet regulatory and BRCGS requirements

• Provide leadership coordinating QMS and BRCGS certification & maintenance process

• Research and recommend new equipment, process and technology to meet with 'industry best practices for improved control of raw materials, in process and finished goods.

• Oversee internal lab testing.

Develop SOP to operate lab equipment and maintain records.

Maintain calibration programs to ensure lab equipment, weighing scales, vats/fermenters, temp controllers, gages and other equipment

• Oversee external lab testing and reports as required by BRCGS and QMS quality system.

• Develop and provide quality assurance KPI, scorecards and reports

• Provide food safety and quality technical support to cross-functional ...