Under the direction of the Director of Quality Assurance, the Contract Manufacturing—Quality Manager (East Coast) will assume the duty of quality support to optimize key quality-related functions for MPL Brands.
Main Duties Include:
- Assess, investigate, and manage contract manufacturer quality issues. Request and follow up on applicable corrective actions.
- Perform contract manufacturer and warehouse Quality Inspections regularly at assigned locations and full quality system audits annually with high attention to detail.
- Manage corrective actions for contract manufacturer quality-related issues and non-conformances or food safety and quality system deficiencies.
- Participate in new product or process contract manufacturer start-ups with a mindset toward troubleshooting and problem-solving.
- Develop value-added working relationships with key contract manufacturers.
- Assemble a team of internal experts from appropriate functional groups within the organization to solve food safety and/or quality problems or deficiencies.
- Approve, conditionally approve, or reject potential new contract manufacturers, repackers, and warehouses based on thorough assessments of quality and food safety systems against Patco Brands policies alongside the Director of Quality and effectively communicate decisions to internal and external parties.
- Clearly and effectively interpret and communicate Patco Brands quality policies and procedures to internal business associates and to external contract manufacturers.
- Owns the Quality Relationship with select Contract Manufacturing partners.
- Review product specifications, documents, and artwork as assigned by the Director of Quality.
- Assure the appropriate audit follow-up items are addressed.
- Review and Investigate Customer Claims related to Patco Brands Goods at select Contract Manufacturers.
- Participate in other sensory evaluations as required for new product launches and reoccurring productions.
- Demonstrate adherence to TTB and FDA regulations, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), OSHA standards, SQF, BRC, FSSC2200, ISO, and HACCP principles.
- Attending first production runs as needed to ensure Patco Brands finished product-testing requirements are carried out.
- Coordinate quality-related functions to Contract manufacturers, such as specification sheets, quality agreements, non-conformance resolutions, and sampling needs.
- Coordinate sample retrievals, testing needs, and other functions as needed to ensure product quality is reviewed and exemptional.
- Perform duties assigned by the Director of Quality.
- Assist in quality-related KPI tracking metrics as directed by the Director of Quality.
- Manage Disposals related to assigned Plants for Raw Materials.
The ideal candidate:
- Has a positive attitude.
- Accepts responsibility for actions taken.
- Seeks additional responsibility without being asked.
- Works as a team player.
- Embodies a creative, continuous improvement mindset.
- Driven by creativity, exploration, and innovation.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A bachelor's degree in food science or a related field OR equivalent experience is required.
- Knowledge of Low Acid Canned Foods and Aseptic systems processing is strongly preferred.
- 5 + years of experience in QA Management, Food Safety, or a related field.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- The position requires excellent follow-up and a proactive skill set.
- Ability to travel 50-75% of the time (East Coast) depending on project and contract manufacturing site needs.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Certifications in Food Safety Auditing, HACCP, SQF Practitioner, PCQI, Food Safety and Quality Systems, and Better Process Control School desired.
- Thorough knowledge of Food Safety and Quality Systems, quality auditing procedures, FDA and TTB Food Safety and Quality Regulations.
- Ability to lead, communicate, and enforce Patco Brands quality policies and procedures with contract manufacturers.
- Strong influencing and interpersonal skills with a team mindset.
- Strong analytical skills to process information, solve problems, and determine corrective actions with attention to detail.
- Knowledge of quality standards and regulatory requirements, with skills and abilities to communicate internally and externally and execute against requirements.
- Ability to effectively communicate with and manage key teams and management.
- General computer literacy is required, with proficiency in Microsoft.