Shearer's is a leading contract manufacturer and private label supplier in the snack industry in North America. Headquartered in Massillon, Ohio, Shearer's has 17 state-of-the-art, geographically diverse manufacturing facilities in Ohio, Texas, Arkansas, Arizona, Minnesota, Pennsylvania,  Virginia, Iowa, Ontario and Alberta, Canada, including one of the industry's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum LEED certified facilities in Massillon, Ohio. The Company is known for producing the highest quality snacks in assorted flavors and sizes, including kettle cooked potato chips, traditional potato chips, tortilla chips, cheese curls and other extruded snacks, and corn chips, as well as cookies, crackers, and wafers.

Sr. Manager Quality & Food Safety 

Massillon, Ohio (Hybrid)

The Sr. Manager Quality and Food Safety {Sr. Manager QFS} plans, coordinates, trains, and supports implementation of quality and food safety programs.  Serving as a liaison between the manufacturing sites and the Support Center, this position monitors quality and food safety programs for compliance to standards, assists in training personnel on the standards, and reviews internal audits for opportunities for continuous improvement.  This role also serves as a key technical contact to customer quality teams and may work collaboratively with the plants, Support Center Commercialization team and/or the Sales Team on quality initiatives. This position monitors compliance to customer expectations which include managing: leading and lagging indicators to address customer complaints, corrective and preventive action plans, and adherence to customer specifications and regulatory requirements. 

Your Seat at the Table:

Responsible for the implementation and control of Shearer’s Quality and Food Safety System across assigned plants and contract manufacturers where needed. Identify and evaluate risks and communicate opportunities for the business including the following: Analyzing data and variances to identify trends, opportunities, continuous improvement projects, cost savings, and risks. Developing and analyzing statistical data on product performance to determine compliance to present standards and establish proposed quality and reliability expectancy (capabilities) for sustainable plant performance. Evaluate and manage plant compliance to food safety systems to comply with customer and regulatory requirements. Serve as a liaison and technical quality resource for customers / retailers. This includes the following: Serving as the voice of the customer on quality and food safety issues. Initiates, supports, and monitors plant investigations. Coordinating complaint corrective and preventive action plans across plants. Provides timely updates on progress and resolution to the customer as appropriate. Monitors leading and lagging indicators and alerts plant to emerging issues or trends engaging the appropriate functions and process owners (e.g., Plant QA Managers, Operations, Maintenance, Technical Services, R&D, etc.) to resolve. Responsible for frequent communication to the Commercialization Team and in some instances specific customer(s) of any trends associated with product quality and specification compliance as well as providing monthly report(s) to customers as required. Engage as active member of cross-functional team that supports customer projects and products.  This includes Commercialization (CM) team.  Leads projects and teams engaged in multi-plant or network wide quality or food safety initiatives. Participate in new equipment / process equipment modifications by conducting sanitary design reviews in collaboration with engineering, plants, and Support Center Sanitation team. Participate in new product development projects. Review project and coordinate mitigation of food safety risks.  Ensure project and product specifications are communicated to the plant Quality and Operations teams prior to testing and commissioning or launch. Support capital projects and budgeting for the plant. Support the plants in ROI analyses for equipment, repairs, or other needs. Support the CM team on customer approval process for new product launches, re-formulation and/or new plant acquisitions. Support QFS team on customer portals.  Develop timelines, coordinate special projects, anticipate issues, take initiative, and hold individuals accountable. Provide multi-plant oversight of quality systems and food safety programs and corrective actions assuring consistency in development and execution including: Consistently executing plant visits and audits, along with monitoring plants for adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Shearer’s Quality and Food Safety Policies, and SQF standards. Continuous improvement training and monitoring of manufacturing site execution of quality programs / systems (e.g., Ingredient monitoring / testing, PIT Testing, Process and Finished Product Testing, net weight control, root cause analysis, CAPA, holds/scrap/waste, ATP, APC, EMP, FSA and Infinity QS implementation. Support manufacturing site teams on the development and implementation of new quality policies and procedures. Provide support and assistance to plants when needed for new product start-ups and commissioning, internal audits, customer visits / audits, third party audits, regulatory audits, quality improvement projects, food safety or quality issues, sanitation program improvements and quality system training. Communicate quality objectives to site QA Managers and monitor alignment to Support Center QA objectives. Monitor plant Quality KPIs, react to trends or emerging issues that would negatively affect performance by engaging the appropriate functions and process owners. This includes the following: Review assigned plants’ Quality Plan each year to assure consistency and progress against KPI and Quality objectives. Produce monthly Quality KPI report(s) that summarizes performance. Partner with cross-functional teams across the company to standardize processes across the network. Plan, promote, and organize multi-plant training activities related to product quality and food safety. Establish and maintain good working relationships ensuring excellent communication amongst both internal and external partners. Provide technical support to operations.

What you Bring to the Table: 

MS in Food Science or science-related field or BS degree in Food Science or science-related field with 7 – 10 years related experience and/or training.    5+ years of experience as a plant QA Manager in a food manufacturing environment. Experience working directly with customers and suppliers. Experience with SPC, quality assurance techniques and tools, and quality systems in a food manufacturing environment. Broad knowledge and experience in quality and food safety management gained at successive levels of responsibility in a plant atmosphere. Certifications in PCQI, HACCP, SQF or related GFSI standard. Training and experience in SPC, Lean Sigma, and/or Six Sigma. Leader of Change and Strategic Thinking. Ability to translate technical explanations to a non-technical audience. Lead and able to demonstrate “Best in Class” behaviors with focus on food safety, quality assurance, and plant regulatory compliance. Knowledge of adult-learning methods for training and coaching individuals and groups. Computer skills: Excel, Word, and Power Point are required. Possess decision-making and critical thinking skills. Able to travel up to 40% of the time.

We Offer a Feast of Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Flexible Spending Account, Retirement Savings Plan with Match, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Group Critical Accident Insurance, Group Critical Illness Insurance, Employee Assistance Plan and numerous opportunities to volunteer in the communities in which we operate.

 

You will be considered for employment in our inclusive workplace

Because at Shearer’s, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

 

This is your invitation to apply now!

 

Note: Shearer’s does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to any recruiting alias or employee. Shearer’s is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

[Quality Assurance]