Senior Manager – Technical Quality

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

📋 Description

• Establish upstream process controls, criteria for ingredient acceptance, and protocols for pre-production validation.

• Design and execute FMEA, risk frameworks aligned with HACCP, and checklists for pre-production readiness.

• Collaborate with R&D to convert formulation needs into specifications and tolerances suitable for manufacturing.

• Act as the main technical liaison for co-manufacturing partners.

• Lead the technical due diligence and onboarding processes for new co-manufacturers.

• Assess equipment capabilities, production infrastructure, and quality systems, addressing any capability gaps.

• Drive ongoing corrective actions and engineering modifications.

• Benchmark the performance of co-manufacturers and identify systemic risks.

• Analyze and enhance processes for blending, conveying, filling, and packaging powders.

• Diagnose deviations utilizing methods such as 5-Why, Fishbone diagrams, DOE, and Barrier Analysis.

• Implement Statistical Process Control (SPC), control charts, capability studies, and enforceable process windows.

• Oversee line trials, initial production runs, and process validations at co-manufacturing locations.

• Evaluate powder characteristics and refine mixing strategies along with equipment selection.

• Assist in developing Ryze’s internal lab in Santa Ana, focusing on equipment needs, testing protocols, and lab standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Collaborate on stability testing, sensory calibration panels, reference standards, and specification frameworks.

• Conduct assessments of manufacturability for new formulas, packaging formats, and changes to the Bill of Materials (BOM).

• Create production instructions and process controls for the launch of new SKUs.

• Attend trial runs, gather data, and approve manufacturing readiness prior to scaling up.

• Partner with the Supply Chain team on traceability, sourcing quality risks, recall preparedness, and capacity evaluations.

• Collaborate with QA/regulatory and Operations on technical capabilities, manufacturing efficiency, and reduction of scrap/rework.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 8 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, or technical quality within the food, beverage, nutraceutical, or dry-powder processing sectors.

• Demonstrated success in managing technical aspects of co-manufacturing relationships, beyond just auditing.

• Practical experience in establishing quality or process systems from the ground up in a fast-paced, resource-limited environment.

• Expertise in SPC, DOE, FMEA, capability studies, and process validation.

• Strong mechanical and process intuition, particularly in understanding blender and auger operations.

• Willingness to travel about 30% of the time to co-manufacturing sites.

• Preferred: experience with a rapidly growing consumer brand that employs a co-manufacturing-heavy model.

• Preferred: familiarity with sensory calibration, stability testing, or establishing an internal lab.

• Preferred: ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or an equivalent certification.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.

• Opportunities for professional development and growth.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Flexible work schedule and remote work options.

• A dynamic and collaborative work environment.