Quality Assurance Manager

We offer HEALTH & DENTAL BENEFITS DAY 1 OF HIRE!Blommer understands that our employees are our biggest assets. With this in mind we offer a generous benefits package, tuition reimbursement, and 10 pounds of free chocolate for your birthday!Blommer has been providing delicious, high quality chocolate and cocoa products to customers since 1939.Built as a family business, we are continuing to grow and are looking for motivated and reliable associates to help in our mission of Bringing Chocolate to Life! Job Purpose:The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for daily quality and food safety operations, directing and supervising laboratory technicians involved in inspection and quality control procedures regarding purchased raw material, in-process testing/analysis, stabilization of batches and finished product to assure that quality control standards are achieved. This role leads the quality control activities of the manufacturing facility, supporting Quality Assurance regulations, policies, and procedures, as well as ensuring compliance with health & safety regulations, and Blommer Chocolate safety policies.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:Maintain accurate information and testing equipment for the facilityEnsure laboratory technicians meet production needs, maintaining proper flow of product and raw materialsVerify in-process and finished product samples are pulled, prepared and sent to external laboratory for analysisNotify production immediately if product is out of specification; work closely with production to resolve issues and identify acceptable use of productPerform internal audits in conformance with Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) and other quality procedures and customer requirementsConduct quarterly internal inspections to validate compliance in operations, storage and manufacturing of quality procedures and policiesAccompany external auditors onsite for inspections at the PlantEnsure all required products are included in scheduled sensory tasting sessionsUpdate training and testing methods as necessary, ensure operators are effectively trained and documentation is properly retainedEnsure effective operation of all laboratory equipmentEffectively communicate technical quality information that allows the customer to take appropriate actionsValidate customer complaints, concerns or issues; coordinate with Quality Assurance, production, R&D, customer service, sales to evaluate and determine appropriate course of actionSupport Quality Assurance in the effective response to customer complains; as requested work with customers to provide a satisfactory correct actionOngoing development of Quality Control staff to meet the current and future needs of the organizationDrive the organizational culture of quality at the locationProvide leadership for quality control staff through effective communication, coaching, training and developmentDefine future state, set departmental goals, communicate goals with staff, and gain support and commitmentMeasure staff against core values and ensure commitment and accountabilityManage defined Key Performance Indicators (KPI's)Identify areas of need for hiring and cross-training to ensure qualified employees available on each shiftMay require work on alternate shifts, evenings, weekends or holidaysCommunicate and ensure compliance with Blommer established policies and proceduresOperate within the Blommer core values of respect and care for othersNote: The employer reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this positionEducation:Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in related field; food science preferredSkills and Work Experience Requirements:Able to read and write English to perform tasks successfullyMust have strong verbal and written communication skills5+ years of direct supervisory experience in food manufacturing or laboratory environmentHACCP and Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) audit experience preferredDemonstrated team leadership experienceManagerial and organizational skills are essentialMust be able to taste and consume chocolate and related productsProficient computer skills with Microsoft Office suite, and familiarity with warehouse and laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and enterprise resource management systems (ERP)Expected to identify, communicate/escalate and problem-solve as issues ariseBlommer Chocolate Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.