The Manager of Manufacturing Quality Assurance (MQA) is responsible for supervising the QA manufacturing organization, which includes two supervisors and 20 QA technicians. This person is responsible for ensuring this group is properly trained and can perform their job responsibilities, setting clear objectives and establishing clear and appropriate key performance indicators for performance evaluation. The successful candidate will also have the responsibility of collaborating with operations and other appropriate departments to help maintain compliance throughout the operation, where appropriate.
DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:
Implements, enforces and improves established policies, strategies, and procedures related to quality and product safety to achieve quality objectives.
Inspect and verify on-the-floor manufacturing operations meet the requirements of Standard Operating Procedures, Quality and Food Safety Plans.
Manage, lead and coach MQA teams to perform against expectations
Establish strong working relationships with Operations and Maintenance to drive Product Safety and Quality ownership to the floor
Responsible to ensure that all manufacturing employees receive necessary quality and product safety trainings periodically; topics include (e.g., GMP’s, Food Safety/ CCPs/OPrPs, Risk Based Auditing for Production Processes, Root Cause Failure Investigation, Nonconformances, Corrective/Preventive Actions, etc.)
Create, publish and maintain reports on: Key Performance Indicators (KPI), data trends, and team performance.
Disposition nonconforming materials
Review and approve deviations
Collaborates/ Develops with Quality Assurance actions plans and recommendations for the Leadership Team on major quality and product safety issue as they arise. Prepare and present reports on quality data and trends
Ensure deficiencies identified through internal or external audits are addressed in a timely manner
Interview and hire staff; manage performance of subordinates and providing coaching/training as needed
Ensure compliance with company policies (e.g., safety, quality, harassment, attendance, conduct, ethics)
Perform other related duties as assigned by management
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Skills:
Demonstrated ability to lead and manage QA personnel in a food and/or dietary supplement manufacturing.
Strong knowledge of GMPs, FDA regulations and documentation procedures
Ability to communicate cross functionally with peers, associates and upper management
Strong team building skills that that allow the motivation and evaluation of staff
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong investigation skills
Strong ability to work independently and as a team member in a manufacturing environment
Coaching and mentoring skills - team development
Strong data analysis and charting skills (e.g., Microsoft Excel)
Strong presentation and public speaking ability
Ability to form mutually beneficial cross-departmental relationships
Experience:
Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in Quality Assurance
5 years of experience supervising or leading staff
Demonstrated ability to employ management tools and techniques in resolving organizational challenges
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline; Food Science, Biological Sciences, and/or Chemistry (Required)
Must be a Preventative Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) to be in compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (21 CFR 117)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Masters Degree in a scientific discipline; Food Safety, Food Science, Biological Sciences, and/or Chemistry (Required)
ASQ Certification (CQE, CQI, CQA, CMQ) or equivalent