Quality Assurance Manager
ABOUT UDA:
UDA is a local, family-owned, dairy cooperative committed to serve the needs of our members, community, and customers by providing high quality milk and dairy products. As the only milk marketing co-op in the state, UDA oversees the production, processing, and marketing of Arizona’s finest milk products from farm to Retail in 48 hours or less. From sweet cream and butter to non-fat dry milk, UDA provides milk products to manufactures and supermarket chains throughout the Grand Canyon State.
Our motto at UDA is “Better Together.” The dairy industry’s success isn’t built on one dairy or brand, it’s built on the community as a whole - this includes our amazing employees. When you join UDA, you’re not just joining a business, you’re joining a family. Since 1960 UDA has been headquartered, operated, and managed in Arizona. We strive to provide our employees with rewarding career opportunities aimed at long-term stability, growth, and advancement. We put our heart and soul into our products and value our team who show up, every day and do the work.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible in assisting the Director of Food Safety and Quality in developing, implementing, and coordination of the quality assurance and food safety programs at United Dairymen of Arizona. Will ensure all programs are being followed and maintained while meeting company and regulatory standards. This position also shares responsibility for communicating food safety education, production quality results, and promoting a positive food safety culture to all personnel through various forms of communications including regularly scheduled meetings, one-on-one interactions, plant walkthroughs, and other forms of training. The Quality Assurance Manager is also responsible for taking appropriate action to ensure the integrity of the SQF system and communicating to relevant personnel all information essential to ensure the effective implementation and maintenance of the SQF system. Primary responsibility will focus on environmental monitoring, root cause analysis, maintenance of HACCP programs, documentation of corrective actions of customer and other 3rd party audits, program deviations and non-conformances, and product release pending review of critical control points and preventive controls.
QUALIFICATIONS;
Skills & Abilities:
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to lead multiple business initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
- Ability to lead people to attain results through others.
- Ability to interpret standard operating procedures and regulatory requirements.
- Develop procedures and mentor staff to ensure their optimal effectiveness.
- Strong understanding of dairy manufacturing including product concepts, practices and procedures.
- Proficient computer skills including knowledge of Adobe, Microsoft Office and Reliance EtQ.
- Effective problem analysis and problem resolution at the strategic and functional levels.
- Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of individuals.
- Strong knowledge of good manufacturing practices.
- Must be able to make decisions impacting products and safety based on independent judgment and discretion.
- Requires ability to read, hear, speak, and comprehend and carry out verbal and written instructions.
Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years in a management role.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience with dairy foods processing.
- SQF Food Safety experience.
Education/Certifications:
- Minimum Bachelor Degree in an applicable science discipline or Equivalent Experience
- HACCP Certification
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Requires ability to walk and stand for prolonged periods of time.
- Requires ability to stoop, bend, reach, lift and carry items up to 55lbs.
- Requires ability to climb ladders and stairs of varying heights
- Requires ability to visually observe the condition of surroundings.
- Requires ability to hear and speak.
PRIMARY FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead a team of quality supervisors.
- Investigate quality issues and assist management in other departments in establishing quality procedures.
- Collaborate with plant management on implementation and ongoing improvements of the environmental monitoring program for both indicator organisms and pathogens. The program will include identification of primary pathogen control areas and zone concept surveillance, as well as deviation response protocol with root cause investigation.
- Provide guidance in trouble-shooting food safety issues, that includes defining microbiological investigation protocols and conducting root cause investigations.
- Ensures product safety, regulatory compliance, and compliance with company standards as stated in the Food Safety Manual (HACCP), the Quality Manual and Company directives.
- Provides leadership in coaching, education and training of management staff and plant employees for Food Safety and Quality Assurance; seeks assistance as needed from other UDA training resources.
- Implements and maintains all current and future UDA quality systems (i.e. SQF).
- Work with Quality management in preparation for and managing regulatory and third party audits.
- Responsible to work with multi-functional team to ensure all aspects of food safety are considered during construction and maintenance of new equipment and structures
- Assist in the development and implementation of food safety/quality meetings.
- Ensures adherence to appropriate regulations and Company standards.
- Leads by example with the UDA Code of Ethics. This includes following Company policies, standards and specifications.
- Engages in the typical responsibilities of a manager requiring planning, evaluating, organizing, integrating and delegating.
- Works with HR to ensure that employee safety, food safety and quality training is maintained and current with SQF code.
- Investigate quality issues and assist management in other departments in establishing quality procedures.
- Conduct Facility Inspections and internal audits – Communicate deficiencies and assist with corrective action.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Keep accurate and legible records.
- Adhere to all UDA safety, food safety, and quality policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity
BENEFITS:
- Medical, Dental & Vision plans
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match
- Cell Phone Reimbursement
- Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Health & Wellness Programs
- Paid Time Off
- Education Assistance
- On-site Fitness Center
- On-Site Health Clinic
The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list; employees may be subject to additional, or altered, tasks and the scope of the role may change as necessitated by business demands. UDA will not consider any application submissions from unauthorized third-parties, consulting, or external staffing firms and will not be held subject, or liable, to any terms, fees, or penalties associated with a submission.
UDA is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.