Position Job Description

Responsible for quality and food safety of the enterprise and for providing leadership and management for the company’s quality programs.

Plans, coordinates, and manages quality activities including quality initiative design, budget, and implementation. Ensures that quality initiatives are timely and completed in accordance with established quality standards and procedures. Researches and develops new and existing menu options, products, processes, and operational procedures. Supports the company with product development and optimizes ease of execution, including cost control. Coordinates with functional personnel to ensure timelines are maintained. Approaches responsibilities with high level of integrity, confidentiality and protection, and low risk to company assets, including reputation.

Essential Job Duties

Assumes responsibility for the planning, development, and implementation of quality initiatives.

• Defines quality mission in collaboration with Senior Management.
• Creates a detailed work plan which identifies and sequences the activities needed to successfully complete initiatives.
• Determines resource needs such as time, money, and equipment required to complete quality initiatives.
• Develops a schedule for initiative completion that effectively allocates the resources to the activities.
• Reviews the plan schedule with senior staff that will be affected by the quality activities, revising the schedule as required.

Assumes responsibility for formulating and executing effective quality plans.

• Executes the quality plan.
• Develops and implements best practice forms and records to document quality activities.
• Monitors the progress of the quality plan an adjusts as necessary to ensure the successful completion of the initiative.
• Establishes a communication schedule to update stakeholders including appropriate staff in the organization on the progress of the quality initiatives.
• Writes reports on the initiatives for management.

Assumes accountability for the efficient, timely, and accurate completion for quality functions.

• Oversees design, implements processes to ensure validation that quality specifications are being met by network facilities.
• Initiates and negotiates bids with Senior Management and contractors for resource needs.
• Monitors production quality.
• Oversees inspection and testing of quality and identifies problems, resolving them quickly and effectively.
• Monitors all quality operations for compliance with established food safety policies and regulations.
• Generates detailed reports relating to quality status and compliance in a timely manner.
• Ensures that quality functions are completed in accordance with established production, safety, and quality standards.
• Establishes and implements training designed to disseminate quality processes throughout the organization.

Assumes responsibility for development and implementation of food safety plans, policies and procedures.

• Assumes responsibility for all food safety activities including but not limited to ensuring all quality personnel are competent within their job functions.
• Responsible for network implementation of changes within food safety regulations including GFSI, USDA, and FDA (where applicable).
• Update standard operation procedures (SOP), policies, and templates for all SQF related records.
• Develops and implements robust food safety plans.
• Manage HACCP plan and pre-requisite programs.
• Conduct SQF observations of key associated performing food safety activities.
• Routinely audit food safety practices to objectively evaluate performance and provide feedback to other personnel as necessary.
• Facilitates document control program.
• Owner of label life cycle including interfacing with regulatory agencies and network stakeholders. Work with Empire associates in the approval of labeling within the facility (USDA).

Compliance

• Plans, executes, and evaluates projects while maintaining food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Follow all facility GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) as required by FDA/MDA/USDA food processing regulations.
• Visit plant locations to support and educate management teams.

Effectively supervises assigned personnel, ensuring optimal performance.

• Directs and assigns personnel as needed.
• Directs and oversees Sanitation team
• Provides assistance and support as needed.
• Trains, advises, and counsels employees and provides suggestions to improve performance.
• Conducts performance appraisals as assigned.

Assumes responsibility for maintaining effective communication, coordination, and working relationships with company personnel and management.

• Works closely with other departments to maintain schedules and implement changes and revisions in operational procedures.
• Provides assistance and support to related departments as required.
• Keeps management informed of area activities and of any significant problems.
• *Assumes other duties as assigned.

• Ensures that work area is clean, secure, and well-maintained.
• Completes special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Meat Science, Food Science, Culinary Nutrition, Foodservice Management, or a related field preferred.
• SQF, GMP, and HACCP certification
• Five years of related progressive experience
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as procedure manuals and regulatory documents.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from management level.
• Ability to apply logic to carry out detailed, but uninvolved, instructions and to deal with problems involving a few different variables.
• Demonstrate ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and demands working with minimum supervision.
• Thorough understanding of company products, services, and competitors’ product lines
• Strong leadership abilities
• Minimum of 5 years Managerial experience
• Knowledge of meat products and related recipes.
• Ability to speak, read, and write English
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, especially in interpersonal relations
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred
• Strong math skills
• Must be well-organized with good attention to detail
• Display strong work ethic, initiative, and positive attitude

Job Type: Full Time

Benefits:  Comprehensive benefits package including:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

License/Certification:

• Safe Quality Food Certification (Preferred)
• Food Safety Certification (Preferred)
• HACCP Certification (Preferred)