QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER - PROTEIN CONVERSION
Description
Quality Assurance Manager
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Manage, plan, coordinate, and direct quality control programs to ensure consistent production and service aligned with established standards.
- Develop and apply statistical analysis to monitor and improve food safety and quality performance.
- Implement food safety and quality procedures in alignment with Pilgrim’s corporate and facility programs.
- Develop the site’s quality budget using zero-based budgeting techniques; analyze spend to drive cost reduction.
- Build and maintain cooperative relationships within the facility and with external partners, including customers.
- Serve as a key member of the facility leadership team.
- Prevent product and company risk by managing nonconforming product processes, QA HOLDs, and corrective action programs.
- Coordinate with operations and quality teams to investigate customer complaints and ensure timely resolution.
- Promote and organize training activities related to food safety and quality assurance.
- Collaborate with facility teams to resolve personnel and processing issues using root cause analysis.
- Coach and train FSQA team members to ensure clear understanding of departmental expectations.
- Lead customer, third-party, and USDA/FSIS/ASM audits.
Basic Qualifications
- Previous supervisory experience required.
- Experience in poultry further processing or slaughter preferred.
- Strong understanding of USDA and OSHA regulations.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint); SAP experience preferred.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated leadership, analytical, and math skills.
- High integrity, dependability, and strong work ethic.
- Self-motivated, flexible, and adaptable to a fast-paced environment.
- GFSI (BRC specifically) training preferred.
Candidate Expectations
- Willingness to travel as needed, with overnight stays of 1–4 days.
- Flexibility to work varying days and shifts, including occasional weekends.
- Ability to work independently and uphold PPC’s values and FSQA programs.
- Maintain a positive and cooperative work atmosphere.
- Navigate processing areas and equipment safely.
- Recognize and act on safety and food safety risks; consistently enforce safe work habits across the facility.
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or a related field, or
- Five (5) years of relevant experience/training, or
- Equivalent combination of education and experience.
Work Environment
- Exposure to both office and production environments.
- Production areas may include wet/humid conditions and moving mechanical parts.
- Noise levels in production areas are typically loud.
EOE/Including disability/Vets