SR. MANAGER, FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY SYSTEMS

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Manager, Food Safety & Quality Systems develops, maintains, and implements quality and food safety policies in alignment with the Cacique Quality Management System. This role ensures compliance with all State, FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) regulations while overseeing the effective execution of company policies and procedures

DUTIES / ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Ensures product safety and quality, regulatory compliance, and adherence to company and customer standards
• Conducts inspections and audits of Cacique's facilities and suppliers' products, processes, and quality systems
• Performs FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act), USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), and State/Federal Regulations compliance checks
• Manages the Corporate Supplier Approval Program and maintains and updates the TraceGains software for all sites and suppliers
• Oversees the Cacique QMS (Quality Management Systems) program by reviewing and updating it on a regular basis. Creates training content as needed to support sites.
• Collaborates with R&D, Engineering, and Procurement in raw material selection
• Performs risk assessments
• Provides feedback on supplier approvals and raw material suitability for food safety and product quality
• Performs supplier verification
• Reviews raw material specifications and test results
• Assesses supplier quality systems through on-site evaluations, written supplier surveys, or GFSI audit reports and corrective actions
• Conducts lab testing, shelf-life validation testing, and random verification of received raw materials.
• Arranges corporate sensory tasting sessions for product and raw material evaluations as needed.
• Coordinates with Procurement, Inventory Control, and Warehouse teams to ensure proper follow-up on received goods and finished products. Makes sure that raw material FIFO (First in First Out) or FEFO (First Expired First Out) is followed properly. Verifies material balance of raw materials for as part of the Food Defense program.
• Monitors global supply chain trends for conformity
• Supports R&D in creating, updating, and maintaining Product Specifications and QA Managers in creating Product Books
• Organizes and facilitates Corporate QMS management review meetings
• Updates, revises, or drafts policies for Corporate QA Director/VP of Quality and Food Safety review and approval
• Acts as the Recall Coordinator
• Works closely with Risk Management and Compliance
• Leads or assists QA Managers in mock recalls and customer-requested traceability exercises
• Oversees Department metrics and continuous improvement initiatives
• Communicates quality KPIs and audit results to stakeholders, including upper management
• Provides weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly reporting trends
• Develops Quality Dashboards in PowerBI, Excel
• Manages Cost of Quality initiatives
• Performs additional duties as assigned to improve processes and efficiency
• Supports VP of Quality and Food Safety with requested tasks
• Responds to customer inquiries via supplier portals
• Drafts communication letters as needed for Sales and Supply Chain teams

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education/Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in food science, Dairy Science, Meat Science or a science-based area of study with a focus on food microbiology or chemistry.
• HACCP & PCQI
• Six Sigma preferred

Experience/Knowledge:

• Dairy/Meat experience
• Sensory experience/Experience with consumer panels, flash testing
• Experience in Continuous Improvement (CI) Processes
• Previous experience as a lead auditor
• Experience in fresh cheeses
• Fluent in English
• MS in Dairy or Food Science
• Minimum of 5 years of supervisory/managerial experience, or lead auditor experience.
• Proven experience in Food Safety and Quality Management systems including any GFSI scheme certification (SQF/BRC)
• Strong team player and leader with the ability to work across multiple functions and disciplines
• Ability to adapt to changing organizational and operational needs; ability to lead others through change, skilled in organization and prioritization, and attention to details.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Expert knowledge in FSMA rules and regulations including Preventive Controls for Human Food, Sanitary Transportation Rule, Food Defense, Food Fraud, and Supplier Verification Programs and USDA regulations
• Expertise in Microsoft Office and computer-based applications such as TraceGains, D365.
• Must be able to effectively communicate ideas (verbally and in writing), be a self-starter and handle difficult reporting situations.
• Supplier Quality

Supervisory/Project Management Responsibilities:

• Communicates and shares Company vision throughout organization and provide cross-functional perspective, direction and support.
• Drives Company focus, manages culture, encourages strong work ethic, and fosters an environment of trust and respect.
• Provides leadership and personal support; coaches, guides, nurtures and develops the right people; "walk the talk."
• Communicates and supports Company policies and decisions in a positive manner.

TRAVEL:

This position requires up to 50% travel as needed

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in a lab/office/plant environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, lab equipment.