Quality Systems Manager
Peabody, MA
Salary: $100 to $125K
Shift: 1st

Position Summary

The Quality Systems Manager is responsible for overseeing quality assurance, food safety, sanitation compliance, and related outcomes for our manufacturing facility. This role demands strategic thinking, effective problem-solving, decision-making, and comprehensive project management. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of managerial experience, team supervision, and development and a strong scientific background or knowledge. Additionally, expertise in analytics, metrics, and data-driven decision-making is essential. Extensive knowledge of GMPs, SQF, HACCP, AIB, OSHA, and USDA regulatory compliance is required, along with experience leading a team of quality professionals in a hands-on managerial capacity.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities of the Quality Systems Manager

• Ensure strict compliance with all product and process quality standards, including formulations, nutritional specifications, and approved methods. Oversee:
• Product and process quality management system (Product Quality Guarantee)
• Customer complaint response, resolution, and tracking
• Product quality evaluation
• Foreign matter/metal monitoring, resolution, and tracking program
• Maintain and enhance quality standards measured by customer complaint frequency, product evaluations, internal and external audit scores, and compliance with quality systems.
• Ensure adherence to all food safety and sanitation standards, including Inbound Inspection, Microbiological Testing, Lot Tracking, daily and periodic Sanitation, SQF, GMP, Pest Control, and Food Safety and Quality Systems Training.
• Ensure departmental adherence to all applicable safety laws, regulations, and company policies. Collaborate with departments to foster a safe work environment through safety inspections, training, and awareness initiatives.
• Assess training needs and develop initiatives to enhance operations effectiveness. Conduct training programs to upgrade employee skills.
• Foster a respectful, approachable, and team-oriented environment through effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Read and interpret regulatory documents and requirements, implementing programs to ensure compliance.
• Food Safety Production Areas
• Notify management of any required repairs or adjustments.
• Perform all duties necessary to meet SQF, company, and government requirements.
• Inform management of any food safety or quality issues.
• Initiate actions to prevent nonconformities relating to Food Safety and product quality.
• Identify and record any problems related to Food Safety and product quality.
• Control further processing or delivery of nonconforming products until deficiencies are corrected.

Qualifications of the Quality Systems Manager

• Advanced technical degree in microbiology, chemistry, food science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in food manufacturing management, preferably in the Food, Beef, or Poultry industry, with demonstrated success at the supervisory level.
• Extensive knowledge of GMPs, USDA, HACCP, AIB, and SQF.
• Strong sense of urgency and ownership.
• Excellent quantitative, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and capable of navigating and researching on the Internet and database software.

Physical Requirements of the Quality Systems Manager

• Routine walking, stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, sitting, and visual activity.
• Ability to work in a cold environment (38&degree;F).
• Ability to lift and move up to 25 pounds.

Direct Reports

• Quality Control Supervisor and Quality Control Technicians