Senior Manager, Quality Assurance

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Report directly to the Director of Quality Assurance & Quality Management Systems.

• Integrate Quality with Supply Chain, Marketing, Sales, and R&D.

• Incorporate food safety and product quality into products from concept through commercialization and in-market performance.

• Investigate customer and consumer complaints along with product conformance issues.

• Support the technical development and leadership of Quality Programs.

• Enhance the capabilities of the Product Quality and Field Quality team.

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

• Allocate Field Quality resources, emphasizing supplier facility reviews.

• Manage food safety and quality risks, gaps, and opportunities related to products, processes, and systems.

• Ensure adherence to and monitoring of OUAF and Contract Manufacturer Quality Policies.

• Manage and implement Quality Assurance programs across co-manufacturing partners and functional areas.

• Advocate for quality best practices within Operations leadership.

• Collaborate with R&D, Sales, Marketing, Logistics, and co-manufacturing operations.

• Oversee and enhance quality aspects of product launches and commercialization.

• Guide product trials by defining process baselines, quality attribute ranges/targets, and ensuring process compliance.

• Lead investigations into quality incidents in plants, distribution, and customer/consumer areas; determine root causes and facilitate corrective actions.

• Manage the onboarding process for new co-manufacturing partners, products, equipment, and packaging start-ups and commissioning.

• Implement the OUAF Quality Management System, covering supplier approval, audit requirements, product development, FSMA compliance, HARPC plans, and Cost of Quality.

• Conduct food safety and quality risk assessments and oversee sampling programs and data reviews.

• Develop and refine product specifications, ensuring proper execution.

• Define, track, and report Quality KPIs.

• Direct resources toward continuous improvement initiatives.

• Travel to co-manufacturing partner locations and participate in company or department meetings a few times annually.

⛳️ Requirements

• Minimum education required: BS in Food Science or a related Science degree is preferred.

• 7+ years of experience in the food industry; CPG experience is a plus.

• Previous leadership, managerial, or supervisory experience is required.

• PCQI and/or HACCP certification is necessary.

• Experience in plant production and strong knowledge of product processing is essential.

• Demonstrated expertise and decision-making skills for Food Safety, Regulatory, and Quality challenges.

• Proven ability to manage multiple responsibilities with urgency through prioritization and program management skills.

• Capability to drive organizational alignment on Quality objectives with an enterprise-wide perspective.

• A solid record of leadership and success in collaborative development, documentation, planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of quality systems.

• Knowledge of Quality Standards, Systems, and Policies, with the ability to execute against requirements.

• Ability to influence Innovation and Commercialization development steps to meet consumer safety and quality objectives.

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

• Capacity to engage business functions in developing and standardizing Quality manuals, policies, procedures, data templates, audit standards, procedures, and Quality KPIs.

• Skills to manage, coach, and develop talent and capabilities.

• Strong business partnering and relationship management skills.

• Previous experience in cross-functional sustainability and operations is preferred.

• Familiarity with Statistical Process Control programs, Design of Experiments, and Process capability studies is advantageous.

• Proficient in Microsoft Suite, Outlook, Slack, and other professional platforms.

• Up to 40% travel is required.

• Candidates must reside in the United States.

• Visa sponsorship is not available.

🏝️ Benefits

• Annual Bonus.

• 401(k) program with a 4% company match after three months.

• New Hire Remote Life Stipend and annual Nourish and Nurture Allowance.

• Monthly Cell and Internet Stipend.

• Quarterly Farm-to-Fridge home deliveries and Employee Discounts.

• Up to 18 weeks of paid Parental Leave.

• Baby Steps Back To Work program.

• Three months’ supply of Once Upon a Farm products for new parents.

• Breast milk shipping service and support for traveling mothers during their 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 fully covered on select plans, with additional options available at a reduced cost.

• Vision and Dental Insurance are fully covered for the employee and dependents.

• Life insurance coverage.

• Flexible spending accounts (Medical & Dependent Care) and Health Savings Accounts for applicable plans.

• Employee assistance program (EAP).

• Additional benefits, leaves, and insurance as mandated by law, depending on specific residence.

• Remote-first work environment.