FSQ Manager - Gehl Foods Southeast

Position Overview

Reporting to the VP of Food Safety & Quality, the Quality Manager is responsible for playing a key leadership role within the facility. This position will manage the FSQ team that is responsible for executing daily tasks such as sampling, analysis, audits, micro testing/positive release. The FSQ team also handles many programs and tasks done on a weekly, monthly, and annual basis to ensure compliance. This role will also oversee the sanitation program at the facility. In addition, the Quality Manager is responsible for the management, development, planning, and continuous evaluation of the performance of a team of FSQ Supervisors, Leads and Technicians.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

People Management:

1. Build a team of employees working in a collaborative environment and fostering a culture of accountability, empowerment, continuous improvement, customer focus and teamwork.
2. Manage, develop, plan, and continuously evaluate performance of FSQ Supervisors, Leads and Technicians.
3. Schedule and manage work and training of FSQ Supervisors, Leads and Technicians.
4. Coordinate on-the-job training to FSQ Supervisors, Leads and Technicians.

FSQ Strategy

1. Provide support to the VP of Food Safety & Quality in the development and execution of the FSQ Strategy.
2. Manage and lead the effective execution of departmental FSQ strategic initiatives.
3. Provide regulatory support for the site regarding FDA, USDA, SQF, Customer Requirements, and internal requirements.
4. Manage the tracking, analysis, improvement, and communications of KPIs for the site.

FSQ Management & Regulatory Compliance

1. Key member of the manufacturing site Food Safety Team.
2. Provide guidance and play key technical leadership role across HACCP, GMP, CIP Management and Internal Audit teams.
3. Oversight for aseptic validation events for packaging, processing, and filling.
4. Manage the relationship with Process Authority.
5. Manage and drive compliance of GMP program.
6. Manage and/or provide technical support and leadership in resolution of CAPA reports associated to major process deviations, hold events of raw batches and finished products, and customer complaints.
7. Provide leadership and guidance in the development of training resources and delivery of Food Safety training program.
8. Provide technical and managerial support to Change Control activities.
9. Provide technical support and leadership to the FSQ aspects for projects related to product/package.
10. Provide technical, managerial support and leadership in the coordination of monitoring, verification, validation, effectiveness and efficiency of Sanitation Controls and Allergen Controls practices.
11. Provide technical support and document standard operating procedures and work instructions, as needed.
12. Provide technical leadership and guidance in investigations and disposition for hold events of batches of raw product and lots of finished products.
13. Contribute and provide technical leadership during 3rd party Quality, Food Safety and Regulatory audits and inspections.
14. Provide technical leadership to the resolution of CAPA reports associated to 3rd party Food Safety and Regulatory audits and inspections.
15. Other duties as assigned.

Positive Release of Ingredients and Packaging Materials:

1. Manage standardized positive release process for ingredients and packaging materials, ensuring effective and timely work team of FSQ Techs in the execution of the verification activities associated to the receiving of ingredients.
2. Provide technical guidance and leadership to FSQ Technicians to enhance accuracy and completeness of records required by the Positive Release process for ingredients and packaging materials.
3. Support Supplier Quality Management to execute FSQ strategy to approve, assess compliance and manage performance of suppliers of ingredients and packaging materials.
4. Manage disposition to hold events for ingredients and packaging materials.
5. Other duties as assigned.

Positive Release of Products:

1. Manage positive release process for finished products, ensuring effective and timely work in the execution of the auditing of Food Safety and Quality records.
2. Provide technical guidance and leadership to FSQ team and Operations’ personnel to enhance accuracy and completeness of records required by the Positive Release process for finished products.
3. Network with Engineering, Maintenance and Operations functions to ensure availability, accuracy, and completeness of electronic records.
4. Manage the development, implementation and continuously improve a real-time auditing approach to Food Safety and Quality records required by the Positive Release process for finished products.
5. Manage disposition to hold events for finished products.
6. Other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience:

• BS in Food Science, Engineering, Biology, Microbiology or Chemistry.
• Minimum of 5 years of managerial experience in Quality Assurance and Food Safety within the food or beverage industries, including people management.
• Knowledge and experience with aseptic processing and packaging of food or beverage products.
• Knowledge and experience of food or beverage testing and laboratory operations.
• Knowledge and experience in microbiological testing / commercial sterility testing of aseptic food or beverages.
• Practical experience in developing and implementing Quality, Food Safety, and GMP programs and systems.
• Practical experience and training in HACCP.
• Ability to enforce Quality and Food Safety policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated people leadership, coaching and team building experience.
• Ability to adapt to changing operational and organizational needs; ability to lead others through change
• Ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously, while maintaining a strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Tools (Word, Excel, Outlook and PP)

Physical Activity:

Occasionally: Lift/Carry up to 40 lbs, push/pull up to 50 lbs, and climb/squat/bend/kneel

Frequently: Reach with hands and arms

Regularly: Sit/Stand/Walk/Move about

Working Conditions: Frequently exposed to wet and varying temperature conditions between 60-130 degrees Fahrenheit, loud noise, vibration, moving machinery/electrical parts, risk of electrical shock, airborne particles, high/precarious places, toxic/caustic chemicals, allergens including soy, milk and milk by-products and fumes from food processing equipment.

While this description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the most significant duties of the current position, it is not necessarily exhaustive of all responsibilities, duties, effort, requirements or expectations of this position. Other duties may be assigned as necessary. The company reserves the right to modify the job requirements as circumstances change and the needs of the company so dictate, without editing this job description in its entirety.