Manager Plant Quality

WHO WE ARE
Baldwin Richardson Foods is focused on enriching the flavor of life. As a full-service liquid products supplier and strategic partner to the food and beverage industry, Baldwin Richardson Foods combines its formulation expertise and unique packaging options with robust processing capabilities to produce high-quality sauces, toppings, syrups, fillings, and shelf-stable beverages for the world's most iconic Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs), Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands, and food service companies. Its state-of-the-art Innovation & Culinary Center transforms trends and culinary inspiration into legendary products through an award-winning commercialization process. The company also manufactures and markets Mrs. Richardson's dessert sauces and Nance's mustards/condiments in addition to producing finished goods for the private label sector. BRF maintains its headquarters and a manufacturing facility in Macedon, New York; with a Culinary Innovation Center in Westmont, Illinois; and offices and manufacturing facilities in Williamson, New York; Pennsauken, New Jersey; and Corona, California. This role is in our Corona, CA facility.

WHAT WE NEED

BRF is looking for a Plant Quality Manager who is responsible for managing all QA-related activities at their assigned facility so that employee health & safety is ensured, and food safety/quality is guaranteed. As a key member of the small team embarking on the build out of this newly acquired site, and the primary point of contact for quality at the site, this role will work alongside operational and functional leaders to play a critical role in the development and implementation of the strategic vision for the factory.

The Plant Quality Manager will provide leadership and manage the execution of quality and food safety systems and programs, and will be the aseptic processing & packaging subject matter expert across Baldwin Richardson Foods' (BRF) Manufacturing facility in Corona, CA. This position will manage all plant quality personnel and is responsible for ensuring product safety and quality while meeting both internal requirements and external regulatory standards. This position will be responsible for maintaining all aseptic, sterilization, and validation programs. The Plant Quality Manager is also responsible for ensuring reduction of quality attribute variation to improve run ability and address customer concerns.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Ensure the manufacturing facility properly executes procedures to ensure food safety and regulatory compliance (FSMA, HACCP, GMP, Pest Control, Allergen and Chemical Control, LACF, environmental monitoring etc.). Ensure all processes are documented and standardized.
• Coordinate and manage with Corporate Quality Manager, all plant inspections, customer quality audits, and external quality audits (FDA, CDPH, SQF, Kosher etc.) and communicate results and corrective action plans to senior leadership.
• Provide aseptic oversight, guidance, and identify events or practices that impact aseptic quality and oversee their resolution to assure all events are contained and appropriate steps are taken to mitigate risk to consumers, product, and the environment.
• Maintain the sterilization qualification and requalification program for aseptic products.
• Aid in equipment aseptic challenges, validations, and commissioning
• Maintain aseptic pre-requisite programs including CIP, cleaning, and sanitization in cooperation with the sanitation team support, and support regulatory agency (state and federal) /internal /corporate inspections.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive documentation of all aseptic processes, including environmental monitoring results, training records, verification of cleaning, etc.
• Work in close cooperation with Corporate Quality and R&D to develop, implement, and maintain quality systems in support of new product development and commercialization for aseptic manufacturing and required documentation.
• Oversee general microbial testing/qualification activities (Raw material, In-process, Product and Shelf-Life product testing and critical utilities monitoring).
• Conduct internal audits to continually assess compliance and makes recommendations for system improvements and staff training.
• Identify areas for process improvement and implement corrective actions to enhance product quality and operational efficiency. Analyze production data, identify trends, and implement preventive measures to minimize defects and non-conformities.
• Lead with Quality Supervisors all RCCA and problem solving with regards to plant quality related issues. Responsible for implementation of preventative and corrective actions.
• Serve as the main point of contact for customer complaints.
• Oversee investigations associated with deviations from filed processes and the implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Ensure all deviation reports and product dispositions are compliant with Process Authority recommendations.
• Provide leadership in coaching, education, and development of plant quality staff. Assign tasks, monitor performance, and foster a culture of continuous improvement within the quality team. Responsible for performance management process and KPI deliverables.
• Ensure all plant personnel have been trained in BRF and regulatory quality policies and requirements.
• Work with employees across multiple departments and sites to assess areas for continuous improvement in relation to aseptic process/techniques and employee compliance to food safety programs and requirements.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging issues within food safety and quality to keep BRF on the leading edge of change.
• Lead QA team support for Plant Sanitation activities including inspections and data analysis.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in food science, Food Safety, Microbiology, or related discipline with 10+ years of Food Industry Experience.
• Prior experience in Food Manufacturing Environments required, Aseptic Food Manufacturing is preferred.
• Minimum 3-5 years people management experience
• Minimum 5 years' experience with HACCP, SQF, GFSI, FDA and/or USDA audits

Certificates and Licenses:

• PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) and HACCP Certification required.
• Completed Better Process Control School is preferred.
• Aseptic Processing & Packaging Training is preferred.

At BRF, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. The base pay range for this role is between $125,000 and $140,000K. Your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

You'll also receive a comprehensive benefits package including low premium and out of pocket cost medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k with company match, generous sick and vacation time, 9 paid holidays, birthday and floating holidays, volunteer time and more!

Read more about who we are at:

www.brfoods.com or www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-richardson-foods

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