Regional Quality Assurance Manager

Regional Quality Assurance Lead (Food Manufacturing)

Hybrid

Travel 20-30%

Calgary, AB

The Company :

Our client is Canadian leader in Food Manufacturing. With multiple sites across Canada, they are currently going through an exciting transformation stage and adding a lot of technology, and investment projects across multiple sites in Western Canada.

This role will support and champion all things Food Safety and Quality Assurance for the business.

The Opportunity :

As the leader of Quality Assurance and Food Safety for Western Canada, this role is responsible for developing and implementing best in class practices in Food Safety, Quality Assurance, and Quality Control practices, supporting 4 food manufacturing sites.

This person will oversee all aspects of quality control and sanitation, ensuring food safety and product quality standards are met.

Responsible for developing, implementing and managing the Food Safety and Quality Assurance programs and strategy in accordance with our policies, federal, provincial and CFIA regulations.

Responsible for leading the team to achieve maximum results in control of quality and food safety. Develops, directs, leads and mentors members of our QA team.

Our client is looking for a strong people leader, coach and mentor as well as a Technically strong QA Leader. Someone who is flexible, self-disciplined and self-motivated, highly organized, energetic, goal focused, with high integrity.

Works well in rolling-up-the-sleeves team environment.

Job Duties & Responsibilities :

Oversee all plant HACCP and GFSI, pre-requisite quality programs, and all quality / food safety related programs to meet regulatory requirements.

Hire, lead, manage, and develop a team, establishing departmental objectives aligned with corporate goals.

Train team on SQF / BRC, GMP's, SOPs, and safe work practices to ensure standards are upheld.

Quickly and effectively address any safety, quality and compliance issues that arise.

Manage investigations, analysis, and reporting of quality issues all while being able to identify root causes and take necessary actions to prevent recurrence.

Coordinate mock recalls as required.

Develop and maintain all relevant policies and documentation, including HACCP, recall policies and procedures, food safety and other GMPs.

Establish quality policies and procedures, monitor adherence and report on performance.

Manage the Quality Assurance and Quality Control teams and enforce company standards and procedures guaranteeing compliance with CFIA and audit certifications.

Champion quality and food safety initiatives to monitor and document product, facility and worker compliance.

Directs and supports approval of new and / or alternate suppliers of food products and food packaging with respect to food safety, quality attributes and product consistency

Educates the organization on current food safety technology, understanding food safety trends and seeing their impact on the company’s strategy

Partners closely with the R&D, Product Development, and Operations team, to approve, support and define critical parameters, process methods and criteria for product specifications

Anticipates and analyzes trends and issues to drive corrective actions and continuous improvement among vendors

Assess product specifications, testing to ensure they are in the acceptable range for customer requirements.

Resolve problems by analyzing data, investigating issues, identifying solutions, and making recommendations.

Maintain the facility’s HACCP, swabbing, and environmental testing plans and all associated documentation.

Educate production teams on standards and processes, instilling a quality approach in all employees

Other duties as needed or assigned.

Key Qualifications & Competencies :

8+ years of experience within Quality Assurance, primarily within food manufacturing.

Must include food safety matters, corporate regulatory work, and direct experience working in a plant.

Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, Food Science or equivalent.

Minimum of 2+ years managing a team.

Working knowledge of regulatory and quality system requirements BRC / SQF, HACCP, Good Manufacturing Process (GMP) and audit regulations.

Excellent quantitative / analytical skills with continuous improvement experience.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Strong attention to detail, strong analytical skills, strategic and critical thinking skills, problem solving, trouble shooting ability.

Results oriented and ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.