Summary:

 We are looking for a strong Director of Quality Assurance with a background in Bakery and Baking food products. This role serves as the Safe Quality Food (SQF) Practitioner for the company. Maintains, writes and implements the SQF GFSI Programs.

 This role is responsible for leading and directing the Quality assurance, quality and food safety procedures and standards which include: quality efforts involved in new product / process development and product improvements with direct responsibility for some projects. Initiates, evaluates plans, directs, executes, implements, and reports on activities related to the development of new products, product improvements or cost savings ideas by performing the following duties personally or through subordinate supervisors by performing the following duties.

 Responsibilities:

 Applies statistical process control (SPC) methods for analyzing data to evaluate the current process and process changes.

• Direct and coordinate compliance with all applicable standards such as FDA, relevant CFRs, and GFSI.
• Establishes in collaboration with R&D updates of all product specifications.
• Responds to customer complaints and investigates where applicable.
• Reviews and maintains the allergen control program, ensuring no cross contamination during production runs.
• Establish the overall requirements for QA specifications and standards for materials, processes and finished products for the Product Center.
• Review product and process non-conformance and recommend remedial actions including but not limited to modifications of processes, products or QA standards where warranted.
• Develop QA plans and other required process control procedures to ensure processes, work in progress and finished goods meet the specified quality and standards.
• Handles all external audits - FDA, NY State Department of Agriculture, NJ Department of Health, RSP, Non-GMO, SQF, and Kosher.
• Updates and implements the QA management systems.
• Sets policies and procedures and assures customer needs are being met.
• Member of the food safety team.
• Member of the business continuity / crisis management team.
• Oversees the SSOP program.
• Conducts Internal Audit on the SQF Program.
• Conducts Supplier Approval.
• Follows all safety regulations established by the company, company policies and GMP’S.
• Develops, maintains and implements HACCP, Allergen Control Program, GMPs, product specifications, and other QA plans and required process control procedures to ensure processes, work in progress, raw materials and finished goods meet the specified quality and standards.
• Helps drive quality improvements.
• Responsible for managing QA budget including reviewing and analyzing proposals submitted to determine if benefits derived and possible applications justify expenditures.
• Develops and implements methods and procedures for monitoring projects, such as preparation of records of expenditures and research findings, progress reports, and staff conferences, in order to inform management of current status of each project.
• Develops and maintains project plans, identifying critical paths and resources required.
• Maintains accurate records of work activities in lab notebooks: objectives of test, accurate formulas, processing conditions, required equipment and equipment setup.
• Approves all packaging to see if it meets all FDA regulations.
• Tracks industry trends, relevant legislation, and competitor activities.
• Oversees the Kosher Program (OU & NY State Department of Agriculture, NJ Department of Consumer Affairs).
• Formulates and maintains quality assurance objectives complementary to corporate policies and goals.
• Interprets quality assurance philosophy to key personnel in organization.
• Performs quality engineering reviews of design documentation for compliance with stated requirements, including vendor quality manuals and company quality records.
• Develops new approaches to solve problems identified during quality assurance activities.
• Designs and implements quality assurance training programs to key personnel in conjunction with managers.
• Responsible for developing and maintain FVP plans for our partners overseas, as well as our co-manufacturers.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as required

 Required Skills and Experience:

 5+ years of Quality Assurance management experience in the Food industry

• 2+ years of experience working with Bakery and/or Baking food products
• Strong Safe Quality Food (SQF) experience
• Strong Statistical Process Control (SPC) experience