Quality Assurance Manager

MRA-The Management Association
United States, Wisconsin, Reeseville
Apr 01, 2025
Position Title: Quality Assurance Manager Company: Specialty Cheese Reports To: President Location: Reeseville, Wisconsin Position Overview: We are seeking an experienced and dedicated Quality Assurance Manager to lead and oversee the Quality Assurance, Quality Compliance, Quality Control, and Continuous Improvement efforts at our cheese manufacturing facility. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring the highest standards of product quality, safety, and compliance across all aspects of our production processes. This role requires expert knowledge in quality management systems, strong leadership skills, and the ability to drive continuous improvement initiatives while adhering to industry regulations. Key Responsibilities: Quality Assurance: Revise and update quality assurance procedures to ensure consistency and compliance with industry standards. Investigate and respond to customer complaints, ensuring issues are addressed in a timely and efficient manner. Oversee lab reporting (both on-site and off-site) and ensure accurate data is reported for quality assessments. Ensure adherence to the company's Hold & Release policy, including coordination with the necessary departments to prevent the release of non-compliant products. Quality Compliance: Ensure compliance with the Safe Quality Food (SQF) program and other regulatory requirements. Maintain accurate databases and records for quality assurance and compliance purposes. Oversee and manage the implementation and ongoing adherence to Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) guidelines. Monitor regulatory compliance and make necessary adjustments to meet industry standards and requirements. Maintain customer information documents including current product specifications, COAs, COCs, etc. Maintain supplier approval program documents for ingredients and materials for all existing and new items. Quality Control: Conduct on-floor audits and swabbing to monitor product quality and cleanliness during production. Provide coaching and guidance to team members to ensure best practices and compliance with quality standards. Compile detailed reports of findings, identify areas for improvement, and create actionable steps for remediation. Report recurring quality issues to senior management and implement solutions for consistent improvements. Continuous Improvement: Collaborate with production supervisors to analyze production processes and identify areas for improvement. Lead root cause analysis efforts for quality-related issues and develop recommendations for corrective actions. Present findings and improvement strategies to senior management and assist in the implementation of action plans to drive quality improvements. Support initiatives to improve overall production efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance product consistency. Qualifications: Education: Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Quality Management, or a related field. Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in quality assurance and compliance, with a focus on the dairy or food manufacturing industry. Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of quality management systems, HACCP, SQF standards, food safety regulations, and quality control processes within the dairy or food industry. Skills: Strong leadership and organizational skills. Excellent problem-solving abilities and a results-oriented mindset. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in quality management software and database maintenance. Ability to coach, train, and mentor team members. Strong analytical skills to conduct root cause analysis and process improvement initiatives. Additional Requirements: Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and adapt to changing priorities. Attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining high standards in food safety, food quality and compliance.