COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Prairie AquaTech Manufacturing, LLC dba Houdek is a manufacturing company based in Volga South Dakota that is improving animal health and nutrition by providing high-quality feed ingredients. Using patent-pending technologies licensed on a worldwide, exclusive basis from South Dakota State University and developed internally, the Company is upgrading soybean meal to high-quality ingredients used in aquaculture, and other animal feeds.

JOB DUTIES

As a key member of the Quality Assurance and Food Safety team, the Quality Assurance and Food Safety Manager will report to the General Manager and will be responsible for the following:

• Manage and provide oversite to Quality and Sanitation department functions within the
• Manage all feed safety external certifications and registrations, associated paperwork, and audit reports and findings.
• Monitor various aspects of plant operations to ensure compliance with company policies and guidelines, including FSMA, GMP+, SQF, Proterra, and Non-GMO Project Verified.
• Oversee the facility's internal audit program and coordinate improvement activities with other departments.
• Lead and/or participate in Corrective and Preventative Action (CAPA) and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) discussions, diagrams, and documentation.
• Lead the food safety team and as a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI)
• Serve as SQF Practitioner.
• Verify and validate quality, operations, and analytical documentation per the HACCP plan and other relevant certifications.
• Facilitate feed safety and proficiency training records including visitor and vendor training, as well as new hire and annual employee feed safety
• Ensure the Master Sanitation Schedule and other sanitation records are complete and encompass all aspects of current certifications.
• Review processing conditions for food safety, verify final product and specifications, and approve final product releases through the company ERP system.
• Participate and/or lead Management of Change (MOC), and customer sample
• Lead quality support efforts to enable collaborative efforts among Houdek
• Spearheaded Lean Six Sigma project or process improvement initiatives with support and collaboration among Houdek departments.
• Conduct efforts within the Quality Department to enable Houdek Operations, Logistics, and Analytical to commercially release products efficiently.
• Lead the scientific efforts to internalize new quality methods as
• Implement the ongoing practices needed to ensure the effective and efficient repeatability and reproducibility of the Quality functions.
• Responsible for the oversight, revision, and handling of standard operating procedures and
• Guide strategic planning initiatives in the Quality Department including microbiological and sanitation testing and assist in budget maintenance,
• Lead department check-in, quarterly and annual review meetings, and assist with ongoing staff professional development.
• Assist with quality programs at other Houdek sites as
• Other job-related tasks as assigned based on availability and relevant experience.
• Upholds the company's core values of Safety, Quality, Respect, Transparency, and Innovation

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Strong managerial and organizational skills including experience working with teams of varying size and disciplines is preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and departments simultaneously and take on challenges in a fast-paced dynamic environment.
• Proficient in quality and microbiological procedures and associated
• Ideal candidates will have 3-5+ years of experience in supporting commercial product manufacture in the feed or food industry. Experience with Quality Programs is desirable.
• A degree in a science-related field or equivalent work experience is required.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office products; experience with statistical toolboxes a
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Ability to be flexible and take on challenges in a fast-paced dynamic
• Ability to lead the transition into human food consumption.