Job Description

Purpose

The Quality Manager is responsible for managing Quality Assurance Programs establishing, implementing, and monitoring Food safety and quality programs, including regulatory and customer audits. Ensuring food safety and quality of all products produced. Perform inspections of processes, employee training, compliance with applicable food laws and regulations, and verify Food safety plans. Manage the QA laboratory. Actively participates in resolving customer complaints. An integral part of the plant leadership team. Provides support to Sales and Operations on customer issues, questions, and concerns.

About us

The Michigan Milk Producers Association is a dairy farmer-owned cooperative and dairy processor. Founded in 1916, the MMPA serves dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

As a cooperative, our members are owners of the business and have the opportunity to be active in its governance. The 13 dairy farmers on our board work to guide the direction of the cooperative in the best interest of our members. MMPA works to best serve members every day by providing leading on-farm services, training, and member involvement opportunities. With a forward-thinking vision, MMPA also supports education for the next generation of dairy leaders with scholarships.

MMPA maintains a strong presence within the dairy industry with strategic business relationships through a variety of channels like processing shelf-stable, value-added dairy products. MMPA has four member-owned processing plants in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, including Superior Dairy and the Middlebury Cheese Company. Products made at MMPA\xe2\x80\x99s plants include fluid milk, sour cream, cheese, ultra-filtered milk, cottage cheese, ice cream, butter, nonfat dry milk, cream, and condensed skim milk.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Leadership of the Quality team at the Plant
• Oversee, implement, and maintain quality programs related to vendor certification, raw materials, product mock recall, hold and release, food safety, and quality programs
• Data analysis and trending to improve quality
• Work on customer complaint resolution (root cause analysis and development of corrective and preventive actions)
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams (Operations, Maintenance, Sales, Supply Chain etc.)
• Development and maintenance of all food safety regulatory programs to meet FDA/USDA/State regulatory requirements
• Oversee employee training for Food safety and GMPs
• Responsible for disposition of all held products, with input from the Plant Manager and Director of Quality (as needed)
• Act as a backup for the Director of Quality
• Oversee product quality with regard to meeting the specifications, and identification of defects
• Leadership of Plant Laboratory
• Track, report, and review the Quality Performance Indicators on a regular basis to drive continuous improvement
• Manage the cost of quality
• Conduct Effective Root Cause Analysis and implement corrective action and preventative action
• Direct management of quality assurance staff and testing laboratory
• Perform other duties, as assigned

Education and Work Experience Requirements

• BS Degree in Food Science, Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field required
• 5-7 years in quality/manufacturing/sanitation management roles working in food manufacturing environments
• Equivalent combination of education and experience
• Leadership skills
• Good communication skills to share ideas/technical information in an easy-to-understand way
• Basic data analysis skills (collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions)
• PCQI certified and SQF practitioner preferred, but not required
• Demonstrated initiative and desire to learn about the dairy industry
• Ability to ask questions and maintain accountability
• Be able to interact with employees at levels in the organization
• Shows interest in learning from and sharing the knowledge with other

Physical Requirements and Essential Functions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, handle, reach above the shoulders, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl. The employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

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Michigan Milk Producers Association