QA MANAGER

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

AMPI owns six Midwest-based manufacturing plants where 10 percent of the nation’s American-type cheese and processed cheese is produced. The cooperative’s award-winning cheese and powdered dairy products are marketed to foodservice, retail and food ingredient customers. In 2019, the co-op launched its Dinner Bell Creamery brand and accompanying Co-op Crafted promise, highlighting more than 50 years of dairy farm families partnering with skilled cheesemakers.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time:

• All AMPI employees have an obligation to report employee safety, food safety and food quality issues to personnel of authority.

• This position has a heightened food safety and food quality responsibilities.

• Responsible for food safety and quality.

• Manage the department and direct supervision of staffing; this includes but is not limited to hiring, training, evaluating performance, disciplining, wage review, and scheduling or directing the work.

• Mentor and develop staff to ensure they have the proper skills and knowledge to effectively perform the required duties and deliver the required results.

• Direct and manage your staff to ensure: Compliance with state and federal regulations, third party audit requirements (including but not limited to SQF & NSF) customer requirements, and internal quality programs. Prompt and complete follow up on corrective actions noted in audits.

• Food Safety/HACCP plan is managed, maintained, and improved as requirements and internal processes change. Food Safety/HACCP requirements are met on a continuous basis.

• Manage costs to budget requirements including O.T. and cost of materials. Etc.

• Ability to facilitate change through employee involvement for continuous improvement of lab functions gaining efficiency and enhancing our food safety systems.

• Pre-requisite programs (as defined in SQF) are effective and updated/improved as required. Programs are compliant with requirements and documentation is current.

• Onsite customer, regulatory, and 3rd party audits are managed properly; including prompt follow up and corrective action where necessary.

• SQF, Kosher, and Halal certifications are maintained for existing products and new products or ingredient introductions when applicable.

• Raw material and finished product specifications are accurate and properly maintained in our computer systems, including the development of specifications for new raw materials and new finished products.

• Food safety & GMP training provided to plant operation is effective.

• Pest control program is effective and managed properly.

• Environmental monitoring program is effective in maintaining a sanitary condition within the plant, including prompt follow up on out of spec conditions and investigation of root cause/effective preventive action plans.

• Vendor approval program is effective, and risks are being identified/mitigated; ingredient and vendor documentation is up to date and filed.

• Follow AMPI change management program.

• Customer complaint program is being managed properly, including investigation, root cause analysis, corrective action, and timely written response back to customer.

• Stay current with changes to 3rd party audit expectations and regulatory agency requirements (SQF, FSMA, NSF, FDA, WDA, AMPI).

• Provide technical support to customers when needed.

• Serve on Safety Committee, plant leadership team and other committees as needed.

• Implement, maintain, monitor, and manage quality assurance systems and policies, including internal and external quality audits.

• Adhere to all Quality and Food Safety policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.

• Adhere to all Safety policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.

• Adhere to all GMP policies and procedures. Reporting any nonconformity.

• Other duties as assigned.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelors’ degree in dairy science, food science, or a biological science or other equivalent experience preferred.

• Strong understanding of HACCP, FSMA and GMP’s as they relate to food safety programs.

• Ability to communicate effectively throughout organization, vendors, and regulatory agencies.

• Current regulatory certification for anti-biotic testing or willingness to receive within one year.

• Food manufacturing experience preferred.

• Prior experience in the dairy or cheese industry is preferred.

• Prior experience in manufacturing is a plus.

• Knowledge of FSMA, HACCP, GMP's, PCQI, OSHA and loss control programs is highly desirable.

• HACCP, PCQI and SQF trained a plus.

BENEFITS/REWARDS

AMPI offers competitive starting pay, PTO, 401k, short-term disability, health, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance programs and more.

Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Military service members, veterans, and qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.