Regional Quality Assurance & Regulatory Manager

Position Summary:

The Regional Quality Assurance Manager (RQAM) leads the quality assurance teams for a single region of 3-6 plants focusing on including lab, compliance and sanitation services.  The RQAM manages the development, execution and continuous improvement of Ventura Foods Quality and Food Safety systems.  Has joint accountability with the Director of QA and Plant Managers for effective execution of Ventura Foods Policy, Food Safety Plans and Sanitation programs in assigned plants to ensure regulatory compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act and to meet customer specific requirements.  Direct reports include Quality Managers at sites within the region. Direct reports may include HQ technolgists/analysts. The RQAM is responsible for establishing goals/expectations, measuring performance, coaching, hiring, and ensuring roadblocks are removed for direct reports.  In addition to plant QA oversight, the RQAM supports Corporate activities including policy creation, program development, and strategic vision. Provides on-site support as needed to plant QA leadership teams in the event of personnel changes or other significant event.  Accountable to key metrics for plant quality program execution including customer complaints, EMP, sanitation, Q1, SNC, CVA, GFSI. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Directs plant Food Safety, Quality and Sanitation staff under the leadership of Director of QA to support development and adherence to Food Safety Plans and Ventura Foods Food Safety and Quality policies and standards, as applicable to each plant, and provides guidance and direction to Plant Hazard Analysis, Risk-based Preventive Control (HARPC) cross-functional teams accountable for executing food safety plans and food safety-related pre-requisite programs (sanitation, allergen control, process controls etc...) that comply with regulatory requirements.
• Works closely with HQ Quality Assurance team members and other technical functions in communicating and executing quality and food safety policies and standards.  Partners with HQ Food Safety and Quality Manager to ensure policies and standards are applicable and stay current with changes in regulations, regulatory guidance, science-based industry practices, customer requirements, and 3rd party certifications.
• Accountable to key metrics for plant quality program execution including customer complaints, EMP, sanitation, Q1, SNC, CVA, GFSI.  Track and report key plant quality metrics and establish plans to consistently improve plant quality metrics.  Establish a continuous improvement process with the Quality Department at the plant level.
• Monitors out of compliance issues and provides guidance to plants on investigating serious escalated food safety issues;  approves corrective actions on escalated issues and ensures that they are completed in a timely manner.  Responsible for determining when serious issues need to be escalated to the Ventura Foods FIRST Team.
• Further the plant quality model (house of quality) by auditing each pillar (lab services, compliance, and sanitation services) and identifying areas of opportunity at responsible plants. Support the QA Managers to establish programs, procedures, processes or tools to strengthen function performance of pillar. Utilize leading and lagging indicators from each pillar to track progress and drive improvement.
• Responsible for the development and training of personnel and overall managerial capabilities for self, subordinates, and indirect reports.  Work collaboratively with the plant operation managers on a frequent basis regarding QA manager performance, plant performance and food safety culture.
• Work with other all key functions as needed to resolve identifying opportunities that have a direct impact on quality and food safety.
• May represent group, Director of QA, Vice President Quality Assurance, and/or company at Industry events.

Education and Experience:

• BS minimum in relevant Science degree focus or equivalent experience.  
• 10+ years experience leading a quality assurance and sanitation teams.
• 5+ years in owning total site food safety and quality programs, end to end.
• Project management and people management experience required.
• Must have Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification per 21 CFR 117 and / or Hazard Analysis Critical Controls Points (HACCP) certification.
• Food or beverage manufacturing required.
• Ability to travel 50% (domestically).
• Masters degree preferred.
• Strong sanitation experience desired.
• RedZone & JDE experience highly preferred.
• Experience with new system implementations or enhancements desired.

Knowledge and Skills:

• The incumbent to this position needs a solid technical understanding of  food science, food safety/microbiology, and quality assurance principles and in addition, must have practical experience applying this knowledge in a food manufacturing environment.
• Must demonstrate strong project management, influencing and problem solving skills including root cause analysis, risk assessment and corrective action.