Quality Assurance Field Manager chez Organic Valley

Location – This is an onsite role that works at the McMinnville Creamery in McMinnville, OR.
Employee Type – Salaried
Bonus Eligibility – No
Safety Sensitive – Yes

If a company is going to make a difference in today’s world, it’s going to have to think differently. At Organic Valley, our philosophy and decisions are based on the health and welfare of people, animals and the earth.  We’re a mission-driven cooperative, owned by family farmers, and we’ve been leaders in organic agriculture from the very beginning.  Once pioneers of organic agriculture, we’re now an established leader.  Organic is all we do.  We are driven by our mission to promote regional farm diversity and economic stability by the means of organic agricultural methods and the sale of certified organic products.

Summary of Role

The QA Field Manager at the McMinnville production facility is responsible for directing and supervising the efficient operation of Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC) and Food Safety at the facility with a strong focus on good manufacturing practices (GMPs), consistent compliance, high quality product and testing outcomes, cost efficiency, and continuous improvement. This role is also responsible for overseeing and managing the Producer Testing program, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of data and test results used to compensate farmer members. These tasks require cross functional partnership, collaboration and communication with key stakeholders regarding quality, regulatory, and food safety compliance across the supply chain. This role promotes collaboration and teamwork within the laboratory, warehouse, and production floor to ensure governance and best manufacturing practices to deliver the highest level of quality. In addition, this position has the authority to interrupt any process or production in which the quality of the product being produced is out of compliance with food safety and/or regulatory compliance. This is a safety sensitive role. The QA Field Manager is an available resource to all CROPP owned facilities on quality and food safety related issues with a strong focus on increasing efficiencies, aligning and streamlining processes, and maximizing the safety, value, integrity and quality of products.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages quality processes, food safety programs, and testing programs to ensure an effective system of quality methods and the consistent delivery of quality products and results.
• Manages Producer Testing Program and associated staff.
• Leads QA Field staff by setting expectations, evaluating performance, providing timely feedback, training, coaching and recommending personnel actions for assigned staff.
• Ensures compliance with policies, safety procedures and fair employment practices.
• Collaborates with plant and warehouse leadership to implement Food Safety Plan and audit programs for compliance.
• Collaborates with corporate QA on food safety and commodity improvement initiatives.
• Collaborates with other departments to ensure coordinated efforts in upholding all business goals and initiatives including POOLS, Hauling, Legal, Supply Chain, Certification, IT, and relevant project teams.
• Develops, conducts, and maintains Quality and Food Safety programs, documentation and trainings, including HACCP, Food Defense, GMPs, GLP, hygiene, cross-contamination and allergens.
• Actively plans and improves with facility operations and maintenance.
• Manages internal QA audits and serves as a contact for all third parties, including but not limited to State, FDA, USDA/FMMO, Customer Audits, and GFSI Certification.
• Facilitates compliance and certifications of individuals, processes, plant and laboratory with State, FDA, USDA/FMMO, OTCO, and BRCGS.
• Perform onsite evaluations and audits for other CROPP owned facilities in compliance with corporate auditing schedules and GFSI standards.
• Subject matter expert on dairy, associated processing and laboratory practices.
• Oversees environmental testing program.
• Promotes facility Food Safety Culture and associated programs
• Handles confidential information with discretion.
  

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee sampling, testing, and reporting of dairy products.
• Provide testing resources and guidance associated with all laboratory equipment in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations.
• Ensure monitoring of all temperature requirements for raw materials and finished products.
• Analyzes testing results for trends, errors, compliance, and opportunities for improvement.
• Recommends improvements to deliver quality improvements and/or cost reductions.
• Reviews and approves QA reports and technical documents as needed.
• Assists in customer complaint resolution.
• Provides guidance in troubleshooting, budgeting, and goal development to supply chain leadership.
• Escalates exceptions and critical quality-related issues/reports to plant and supply chain leaders.
• Assists with QA/Food Safety investigations in all production facilities and co-processors as requested.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor Degree in Agricultural/Lab Sciences with an emphasis in Dairy preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years lab experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years plant and lab experience preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years supervisory experience in production setting preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain relevant certifications for plant commodities and processing.
• Maintain relevant food safety certifications and trainings, including accredited HACCP Certification and PQCI
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Knowledge of dairy laboratory procedures.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate complex information and recommendations in a concise and professional manner.
• Critical thinking and decision-making skills; able to make effective decisions among broadly variable conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Willingness and ability to grow with a dynamic company.
• Must be willing to work some weekends and holidays.
• Ability to occasionally lift/carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to frequently push/pull up to 10 pounds and occasionally push/pull up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to occasionally bend, twist/turn, reach above shoulder, reach outward, squat, kneel, climb and crawl.
  

Base salary range: $83,218.00 - $111,675.00 per year
This salary range is exclusive of fringe benefits. The compensation package may also include incentive compensation opportunities in the form of discretionary bonuses. If you are hired at CROPP, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, education, and/or experience. Additionally, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members as a part of any final offer. Please keep in mind that entry-level candidates to this role should expect to be at the lower end of the salary range and hiring at the maximum of the salary range is not typical.

Benefits
We believe when our people are strong, our mission is strong. Therefore, we offer a comprehensive and holistic Total Rewards package meant to strengthen employees’ and their family's total wellbeing. Here are some of the great benefits offered: 

• Comprehensive Health Insurance - Choice of plans for you and your family, including some that can be paired with an HSA (which CROPP contributes to on your behalf)
• Supplemental insurances: we offer accidental insurance, critical illness insurance, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Time Off – 136 hours in the 1st year of employment prorated by start date. Plus 9 paid holidays, plus one floating holiday to use at will. 
• 6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave – For all gendered partners in childbirth or adoption.
• Vision & Dental Insurance – Free annual eye exam, discounts on glasses/contacts, flexible dental network, adult ortho.
• 401k – We match 100% up to the first 3% of an employee’s contribution, and then 50% for 3.1%-5.0% of employee contributions.
• Free services at five local Neighborhood Family Clinics.
• Tuition Reimbursement – Up to $1,500 per year to support continuing higher education.
• Life Insurance - $50,000 policy funded by CROPP for each employee. Supplemental voluntary coverage available for employees, spouses, and children.
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability/AD&D Insurance - $50,000 of life insurance coverage of $50,000 of AD&D coverage funded by CROPP for each employee.
• Employee Assistance Program - Free and Confidential for employees, spouses, and dependents.
• Free biometric screenings (cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure) and health coaching.
• Financial advisors and seminars
• Annual $360 Lifestyle Spending Account 
• $65 monthly massage/chiropractic reimbursement
• Flexible Scheduling