Vice President of Quality

Great Leadership Opportunity with one of the top co-manufacturers in North America. Come and exemplify your leadership ability with the areas Employer of Choice.

Summary: The Vice President of Quality will provide strategic leadership and oversight for all areas of quality (assurance, compliance, technical services) and food safety initiatives for Berner Food & Beverage. This role is critical in ensuring the highest standards of product quality, safety, and regulatory compliance for our diverse portfolio of food and beverage customers and products.

The Vice President of Quality will be a key leader in driving the overall success of the company and ensuring the best quality practices from within. This individual will provide and drive continuous improvement initiatives as it relates to quality along with providing company-wide consultation as it relates to quality.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

• Overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the reporting departments (QA, QC, Sanitation, Micro, R&D, and any other groups within the Quality) and functions.
• Developing proactive approaches and providing strategic direction to implement quality standards and procedures for GMP regulatory compliance to meet company needs.
• Developing and managing relationships with senior Quality representatives following Berners ‘customers, vendors, and collaborators.
• Implementing a governance plan to ensure good communication and decision-making at the appropriate levels for quality-related topics.
• Provides and communicates advice/consultation to C-Level Executives on the implications and risks related to key Quality issues and important strategic decisions, keeping all posted, on a timely basis.
• Developing, implementing, and monitoring Quality operational budget to ensure compliance with approved expense limitations. Determining the cause of variance to budget and applicable corrective actions.
• Focus on continuous improvement for the Quality Department by constantly thinking about and evaluating the existing Quality Programs - provide recommendations to streamline existing programs when necessary and possible and recommend new programs to meet new challenges as those opportunities present themselves.
• Oversees all internal and external inspections/regulatory visits and assists in any related audits.
• Oversight of all customer relationships as it applies to quality for customer visits; audits; trials; production runs; holds/releases; and any specifications required by the customer.
• Participates and ensures audit preparation activities, accompanies the inspector, and completes necessary reports and posting.
• Performs follow-up activities to non-conformances found and responds as appropriate.
• Plans, defines and directs the Site auditing control program to ensure compliance with all procedures and policies to ensure compliance to regulatory, federal, and local laws. This includes the identification of facility Quality KPIs, corrective/preventive action, and continuous improvement initiatives. Trains and mentors site Auditors to ensure program goals are met.
• Provides Oversight and Leadership of Berner Food & Beverage's Quality Department.
• Manages execution of site Food Safety Quality Program (QRMP) and HACCP programs
• Monitors and maintains plant QCMS program by complying with current Berner and SQF Standards.
• Ensures all internal quality procedures, and processes are accurate, and performing to expectations in all areas of the Quality Department.
• Collaborates with other leadership throughout Berner including Operations/Production, Maintenance, Procurement, Finance/Accounting, and C-Level Executives
• Ensures Quality policies are understood and communicated to employees to ensure compliance and system improvements.
• Ensure the performance of periodic GMP/food safety-related audits in internal manufacturing and distribution facilities, supplier audits in a variety of food processing/packaging environments, label compliance audits, and maintenance- food safety-related performance audits.
• Collaborate across the organization to ensure the effective and safe commercialization of any new materials brought into Berner Food and Beverage.
• Ensure cross-functional teams and all vendors are fully aligned on the development and execution of our food safety and quality plans.
• Provide continuous coaching and support to both direct and indirect reports to ensure our teams are motivated, engaged, delivering results, and reaching their full potential. Ensure there is always a well-planned succession plan for all critical positions in the team.
• Providing follow-up on close out of Audit Corrective Actions in collaboration with audit participants.

Education and Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of experience in Quality Assurance and Compliance in Food Manufacturing, or other technical environments.
• Bachelor's Degree is required; preferably in Food Science and/or a related field.
• Strong leadership, technical, communication, and organizational skills required along with attention to detail.
• Advanced knowledge of quality systems, procedures, & policies helpful. Handle multiple assignments, develop work plans, & prioritize.
• Knowledge of statistical processes.
• Detailed-oriented.
• Effective communication skills (oral written and verbal).
• Planning and organizing skills.
• Successful candidates must possess a positive focus on solutions with an emphasis on preventative proactive measures and team-building.
• Demonstrate the ability to work with cross-functional groups.

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee may perform other related duties as needed to meet Berner Food & Beverage’s ongoing needs