Corporate Quality Assurance Manager

As employees of a farmer-owned cooperative, we come to work every day trying to honor the tireless effort and care these farming families put in every day, all day, 365 days a year. Our farmer-owners tend to think in generations, with some of our farms being run by the same families for over a century. We carry this approach into our business, knowing that each and every one of us makes a difference in allowing these generational traditions to continue, taking pride in knowing that we nourish our friends, neighbors, nation, and even the world with healthy and delicious dairy products. Our products include milk, flavored milk, yogurt, dip, sour cream, cottage cheese, and ice cream mix marketed under the Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk® brands.Will oversee all Plant Quality Assurance Managers activities to assure compliance with both Upstate Niagara Cooperative Inc. and regulatory requirements.Responsible for development of consistent quality programs and requirements in support of SQF program and certification.Position reports directly to the Director of Quality Operations and oversees three Plant Assurance managers. Position will represent Corporate Quality Assurance at the Plant level.Summary:Will support Corporate Quality Assurance Department with both Upstate Niagara Cooperative Inc. and regulatory requirements.Responsible for development of consistent quality programs and requirements in support of SQF program and certification.Position reports directly to the Director of Quality Assurance.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:include the following.Other duties may be assigned.Coordinate programs in support of Upstate Niagara's Commitment To Product ExcellenceEstablishment of consistent Plant Quality Metrics and requirements in support of SQF certification.Development and review of standardized Plant Quality reports.Monitor and analyze Customer / Consumer complaint data. Develop corrective action plans in support of continuous improvement.Represent Corporate QA at Plant, Corporate, and customer meetings.Design and implement quality programs as required by Upstate Niagara, Customers, or regulatory agencies. Such programs include Hold Policy, Recall Policy, Pathogen Testing Program, Customer Complaint Resolution Program, SQF certification.Together with Plant Quality Control Managers will develop and implement a consistent Plant Quality Plan for each facility based on SQF. Plan should include defined role of the quality function within the facility and communication of that role to all facility associates to assure continuous improvement.Will continually review and audit manufacturing procedures to ensure that all operations are in compliance with established practices and procedures. Will immediately bring any nonconformances to the attention of the appropriate individuals and assure that corrective actions are taken and are effective.Will be familiar with Federal and State regulatory requirements and will be responsible for ensuring that the facility is in compliance. Should be continually aware of new requirements and regulations.Will be responsible for representing the facility during inspections and audits with customers and regulatory agencies.To work effectively with Corporate Engineering and Plant Management to establish and validate all sanitation practices. May assist in the evaluation of new products and techniques which may be more effective for the company.Work with Purchasing department to establish procedures for quality assessments of incoming goods and raw materials. Will work with Purchasing personnel to establish and enforce quality standards and specifications on such goods with vendors.Will establish and continually monitor the effectiveness of training programs for Operations and Quality personnel.*In the absence of Manager of Corporate QA, each plant QA Manager will assume his/her duties.Supervisor Responsibilities:Supervises all Plant Quality Control Managers to assure compliance with both Upstate Farms and regulatory requirements.Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit.Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving issues.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.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.Education and Experience:Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from a four-year college or university in Food ,Dairy, or Natural Sciences; and ten years related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of educationand experience.Experience should include active involvement in Quality Programs in the Food and Beverage industry.Knowledge of SQF, HACCP, and statistical process control is desired.Previous supervisory experience required and strong personal computer skills are preferred.Language Skills:Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations.Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from group managers, clients, customers, and the general public.Physical Demands:While performing the duties of the job, the employee is frequently required to speak or hear.The employee is occasionally required to stand, reach with hands and arms, and climb or balance.The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 55 pounds.Specific vision abilities of this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.Work Environment:While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and toxic or caustic chemicals.The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.Pay:$105.9k-$153.5k/year**The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position's qualifications, in addition to internal equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with DisabilitiesThe contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)