Director Regional Quality

Summary
The Regional Quality Director is responsible for leading, developing, and executing all aspects of Quality Assurance with customers, suppliers, local and corporate-wide HFS employees within the Bars Division. The incumbent is also responsible for supervising, training and mentoring Quality and Sanitation professionals within the Division. The position will support all the facilities within the Division. This position exists to ensure the food safety and Quality of all products being produced and packaged at the facilities within the Bars Division meet regulatory and company/customer expectations.

Job Duties

• Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
• Responsible for assisting in the development and executing all aspects for Quality Assurance with customers, suppliers, local and corporate-wide MP employees and the manufacturing staff at facilities within the Bars Division.
• Responsible to be a resource for the creation and delivery of all key performance indicators (KPIs) and objectives for the Quality department.
• Develop, maintain and continuously improve on all standard operating procedures as they relate to our Food Safety and Quality programs within the Bars Division.
• Act as liaison between MP and Customer QA representatives.
• Provide support for all customer visits and external audits.
• Assist in the management of the customer complaint process, which includes, but is not limited to conducting investigations and performing root cause analysis to eliminate further defects. Provide technical support to continuous improvement teams.
• Assist in the communication and implementation of any new products and product recalls. Provide disposition for held products and conduct MRB review.
• Provide leadership and direction during deviation reviews
• Ensure regulatory compliance adherence.
• Responsible for being an internal auditor and customer audit facilitator. Work closely with plant in preparation for all customer audits and SQF (or other external audits i.e. AIB).
• Partner with Corporate MP and local QA and Food Safety Management teams regarding corporate programs and best practices. Periodically conduct and/or coordinate technical training (allergen control, HACCP, GMP, Customer requirements).
• Support and oversee all aspects of sanitation, including environmental monitoring programs, allergen matrix and control programs, chemical control programs, pest control programs including all sanitation systems as assigned.
• Provide audit over-check and assurance that each plant is maintaining policies and directives set forth in local plant SOP's and work instructions.
• Other duties as identified or assigned by Vice President of QA and Food Safety.

Required Competencies & Knowledge
Knowledge of:

• Maker's Pride procurement, products and production processes
• Knowledge and experience with SAP

Skill In

• Demonstrated proficiency in advanced quality statistics, measurement systems analysis
• and continuous improvement required. Experience in an ISO work environment a plus.
• Strong understanding of SQF and its implementation is required. SQF Practitioner certification is a plus.
• Experience w/ Quality systems and knowledge of pre-requisite programs required.
• Maintaining harmonious relationships and effectively communicating with all customers, suppliers, local and corporate-wide HFS employees.

Ability To

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, analytical ability, leadership strength and ability to effectively work with all levels of the organization.

Proficiency in:
MS Office Suite, Excel, Power Point (SAP a plus)

Work Environment

• Work is primarily done in an office setting.
• Infrequent production environment exposure, which includes noise, dust, moving machinery, fork lifts and fluctuations in temperature.
• Travel up to +30%

Physical Requirements

• Sitting at a work station for extended periods of time.
• Stand, walk and climb stairs on an infrequent basis.
• Must be able to lift 25 pounds on an infrequent basis.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business/science-related field is required; Post-graduate degree a plus.
• Seven (7) – Ten (10) years of related work experience, including experience managing and leading a Quality and food safety / sanitation staff in a related food manufacturing environment (i.e. baked bar, granola manufacture, bread, cold form bar, cookies, crackers, etc).
• American Society for Quality Certification, such as CQE, CQM status is a plus.
• Must be detailed-oriented, have strong self-confidence and leadership skills and have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to uphold Maker's Pride's mission, vision and values on a daily basis.

Maker's Pride is an Equal Opportunity Employer.