Quality Assurance Manager

Summary

Responsible for the technical oversight and management of product quality for all Ole Smoky Distillery Operations products produced in Newport TN. Leads a team of quality professionals who set the quality systems, food safety, housekeeping and sanitation and oversee day-to-day quality test and compliance. Leads the troubleshooting, root cause investigation, communication and corrective actions work for product quality issues across Ole Smoky Distillery Operations. Plans and leads the activities of the Quality Assurance Department which includes material and product quality control, finished goods quality control, sanitation, and food safety. Works closely with operations and packaging departments to assure material and product quality are flawlessly executed to established specifications. Serves as product representative on project teams as required coordinating material test runs ensuring smooth introduction of new products. This position is responsible for implementation, guidance, and execution of all Ole Smoky quality and food safety systems, continuous improvement projects, technical expertise, and guidance to ensure compliance to all local, state, federal, and country requirements at designated manufacturing sites. This position has a team of direct reports. Utilizes tools such as auditing, process evaluation, complaint analysis, trend analysis, and advanced quality skills and knowledge to achieve quality department objectives and individual goals.

Responsibilities

• Manages the implementation and maintenance of quality compliance for Ole Smoky Distillery (OSD).
• Responsible for developing, maintaining, controlling documented Quality systems.
• Directs, coordinates, and conducts activities of material quality control, processing control, and finished product/packaging quality control functions to ensure compliance with established quality standards and specifications.
• Makes recommendations to upper management for product/material changes which will improve quality and/or cost of current products.
• Interacts with production operations, R&D and packaging departments to ensure incoming materials meet established quality standards and corrective actions are taken as needed.
• Interacts with production management to ensure timely product “holds” and investigate to ensure a timely resolution of quality concerns. Resolves product “on-hold” situations as soon as possible with production management. Recommends corrective action. Manages reselection, re-dump, reconditioning efforts of all on-hold production, held both internally and externally.
• Plan and direct appropriate sampling, inspection, and testing of purchased materials, work in process, by-products, and finished goods.
• Maintains current awareness of TTB regulations for liquid processing, bottling & labeling.
• Attain and maintain food safety certification.
• Design and manage appropriate systems for analysis, reporting, and communication of quality data through all phases of production for the plants and suppliers.
• Recruit, supervise, develop, and evaluate staff as required to conduct all quality control activities. Lead and develop professional employees to result in growth in expertise, industry knowledge, and career opportunity.
• Provide timely and complete responses to all customer complaints. Maintain records of complaints. Initiate and manage appropriate corrective actions.
• Drive issue investigations through the facilitation of investigations, coaching of site QC and leadership to assure full RCCA/CAPA executed.
• Drive improvements and execute Quality Metrics/KPI's at the facility.
• Promote quality awareness and ownership across value chain.
• Monitor and assess performance of the quality and food safety systems, report its effectiveness to management and implement actions for improvement.
• Ensure execution of the audit programs for internal and external audits i.e., Food Safety, GMP, QA Audit, etc.
• Ensure execution to OSD, local, state, and federal standards. i.e., TTB & FDA compliance.
• Identify and apply “Best Practices” within the facility or from the broader network.
• Accountable for local QC and site performance of quality and food safety systems.
• This position has direct employee supervisory responsibility.
• Lead OSD Product recall committee and food safety committee.
• Acts as one point conduit on quality topics.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• B.S in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering or other related fields.
• Minimum 5+ years quality leadership and people management experience in food, alcohol, packaging, or consumer goods industry.
• Must have strong knowledge and understanding of food safety / HACCP, GMP’s, Allergen Controls, Sanitary design/controls, environmental monitoring programs, pest control, basic food regulations, TTB regulations, specifications, analytical and microbiological lab methods desired, & basic liquid processing technologies.
• Experience as a lead auditor or certified lead auditor with experience in ISO9001, ISO 22000 and GFSI standards.
• Strong oral and written communication and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of HACCP and quality systems.
• Ability to do thorough root cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventative actions.
• Strong computer skills and high comfort using technology and systems.
• Strong analytical and technical skills
• Ability to handle multiple tasks at one time.