Senior Manager, Quality Assurance

Who You Are

You are someone who is experienced in the development and management of food safety and quality programs in the food industry. You have an eye for detail and a passion for problem-solving. You have a very solid understanding of food safety and compliance, a willingness to research, an enthusiasm for reading, and an endless desire to learn. To excel in this role, you should have excellent attention to detail, strong communication skills, a good understanding of industry standards, and business acumen for understanding how quality impacts the greater supply chain organization. You have the desire to contribute to a dynamic, high-growth, purpose-driven work environment. You have demonstrated the ability to thrive in ambiguity, deeply understand business needs, develop cohesive strategies and make decisions requiring a high level of judgment.

The Task At Hand

The Senior Manager, Quality Assurance reports directly to the Director of Quality Assurance & Quality Management Systems (QA & QMS) and is responsible for the integration of Quality with Supply Chain, Marketing, Sales and R&D. Key areas of responsibility include the incorporation of food safety and product quality in all products from concept to commercialization and in-market performance including customer/consumer complaint investigation. In addition, this role will support the technical development and leadership of Quality Programs, as well as building up the capabilities of the Product Quality and Field Quality team. This Role is also expected to perform many of the tasks done by the Product Quality and Field Quality roles.

Field Quality is responsible for sanitary design reviews, equipment process evaluations, engineering-led installations, and FATs. You help implement high-impact improvements across co-manufacturers and warehouses, create technical scorecards, and integrate engineering requirements into the Quality system. They are involved in strategic site assessments of Suppliers (i.e., Warehouses, Contact Manufacturing and occasionally Material Suppliers,).

Product Quality is responsible for the incorporation of food safety and product quality in all products from concept to commercialization and in-market performance. This includes the investigations into product conformance and customer complaint issues. In addition, this role will support the technical development and leadership of Food Safety and Quality Programs.

In This Role, You Will

Lead, coach, and develop the Product Quality and Field Quality team.

Deployment Field Quality resources of assignments with a focus on reviews of Suppliers facilities.

Manage food safety and quality risks, gaps, and opportunities for products including new and current products, processes & systems

Ensure that OUAF and Contract Manufacturer's Quality Policies are adhered to and monitored

Manage and deploy Quality Assurance programs across co-manufacturing partners, and functional areas, and influence Operations leadership with quality best practice

Stay abreast of product quality through product reviews and quality assurance programs, working with R&D, Sales, and Marketing

Maintain strong partnerships & linkage with R&D, Marketing, Logistics, and Co-manufacturing operations to drive sustainable and reproducible product supply from concept to product commercialization and quality improvement

Oversee and improve quality aspects of product launches by supporting the commercialization process

Guide Product trials by establishing Process Baselines, Quality attributes desirable ranges/targets and ensure Process compliance and sustainability

Lead investigation of in-plant, distribution, customer and consumer quality incidents (e.g., foreign material, food safety, quality non-conforming product), identifying root causes and facilitating corrective action with teams

Manage the onboarding process of new co-manufacturing partners, product, equipment, packaging start-ups and commissioning

Facilitate and drive implementation of OUAF Quality Management System which includes documentation and measures of performance of key Quality programs – including Supplier approval, internal and external audit requirements, product development, FSMA compliance, HARPC plans, Cost of Quality

Drive food safety/quality risk assessments, participate in planning/execution and reviewing of required sampling programs and data, develop and refine product specifications, and ensure execution of said specifications

Define, track, and report Quality Key Performance Indicators, and direct resources toward the continuous improvement initiatives they surface

All other duties as assigned

In This Role, You’ll Bring With You

Demonstrated skills influencing components of the company, tough-mindedness, vision, and political savvy to manage internally and externally. Assertive, yet collaborative.

Minimum education required: BS Food Science Degree or related Science degree education desired

Years of relevant experience: 7+ years in the food industry, preferred CPG experience

Prior leadership, managerial, or supervisory experience

PCQI and/or HACCP certified

Plant production experience and strong knowledge of Product processing

Expert abilities and decision-making for Food Safety, Regulatory, and Quality challenges

Able to manage multiple responsibilities with urgency via prioritization and program management skills

Ability to drive organizational alignment on Quality objectives with an enterprise-wide mindset, and the adaptation of structure, processes, and systems to achieve objectives

Record of leadership and demonstrated success in collaborative development, documentation, planning, and implementation and continuous improvement of quality systems

Knowledge of Quality Standards, Systems, and Quality Policies, with skills and ability to execute against requirements

Capable of influencing development steps used in the Innovation and Commercialization process to leverage design in achieving consumer safety and quality objectives (for example, Food Safety Plan Assessment), driving improvement of consumer-based specifications

Strong knowledge and general business acumen to support and influence Marketing and R&D

Capable of engaging other business Functions in the development and standardization of; Quality manuals, policies, procedures, data templates, audit standards and procedures, and Quality Key Performance Indicators

Takes initiative, and sets high standards

Able to manage, coach, and develop people, talent, and skills

Able to demonstrate & execute leadership behaviors

Strong business partnering and relationship management skills

Previous exposure to cross-functional work between sustainability and operations preferred

Genuinely passionate about improving childhood nutrition for a healthier and happier planet

Knowledgeable in Statistical Process Control programs, Design of Experiments, and Process capability studies

Solid knowledge of Microsoft Suite, Outlook, Slack, and other professional platforms

Up to 40% travel required: Some months may be less or more depending on project work.

Although this role is a remote work-from-home position, travel to co-manufacturing partner locations is expected. In addition, we “Farmers” do meet as a company and/or as a department a few times a year

Must reside in the United States to be considered for this position

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position

Compensation

Full-Time, Salaried, Exempt

The anticipated salary range for this position is $140,000.00 to $150,000.00. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a few factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Certain positions are eligible for additional forms of compensation such as bonuses, stipends, equity, and role-specific perks.

Additional

Remote-first work environment

Annual Bonus

401(k) program + 4% company match after three months

New Hire Remote Life Stipend + annual Nourish and Nurture Allowance

Monthly Cell and Internet Stipend /Monthly auto, cell, and internet stipend (some sales roles)

Quarterly Farm-to-Fridge home deliveries and Employee Discounts

New Parents: Up to 18 weeks of paid Parental Leave, Baby Steps Back To Work, 3 months’ supply of Once Upon a Farm products, and breast milk shipping service and support for those who travel after birth for the duration of your breastfeeding journey

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Paid Volunteer Time

Paid Time Off to fulfill civic responsibilities, including jury duty and voting in local, state, and national elections

Medical Insurance for the employee is covered at 100% on select plans, with additional plan options at a reduced cost to the employee

Vision and Dental Insurance are covered at 100% for the employee and dependents

Life insurance

Flexible spending account (Medical & Dependent Care) and Health Savings Accounts for applicable plans

Employee assistance program (EAP)

All other benefits, leaves, and insurance as required by law, based on your specific residence

And so much more!