Bel, makers of iconic brands including Babybel, The Laughing Cow, Boursin, and GoGo Squeez is a growing global company that values your contributions, strives to create a sense of belonging for everyone and offers career growth and development opportunities, as well as competitive total compensation and meaningful well-being benefits from day one. For All, For Good, our company signature, reflects Bel’s commitment to sustainability and healthier and responsible food for all. The company has headquarters in Chicago (Bel Brands USA) and New York City (GoGo Squeez) and operates 5 manufacturing plants in Little Chute, WI; Leitchfield, KY; Brookings, SD; Traverse City, MI; and Nampa, ID.

Job Summary:

The Quality and Food Safety Manager is responsible for managing all quality and food safety initiatives to guarantee the quality of the products as well as the safety of the consumer. The Manager will oversee the activity of the quality assurance department and staff, developing, implementing, and maintaining a strong quality management system. It is a critical and key leader of the Plant Leadership team.

Job Responsibilities & Tasks:

· Lead the development, implementation and assurance of all quality programs, systems and standards including but not limited to sanitation, quality and food safety standards for the plant

o Implement, lead, and validate the Food Safety Plan and maintain compliance with FDA FSMA along with all state and local regulations

o Implement and ensure reaching of the site's objectives coherent with the SQF standards and all other required certifications (USDA organic, Kosher, non-GMO)

o Establish and maintain programs and procedures that ensure the safety and quality of products in close relation with corporate quality management and standards

o Authorize product hold, release, destroy and return and lead the prevention and resolution of critical incidents involving food safety or regulatory compliance

o Lead 3rd party, customer and regulatory audits and follow up on corrective actions

o Train plant personnel in the area of GMP, food safety, HACCP, quality standards and other SQF/FDA regulatory requirements

· Participate in and initiate continuous improvement activities including root cause analysis and task force teams

o Oversee quality Key Performance Parameters, Key Performance Indicators and improve Quality Performances

o Investigate, respond, and resolve consumer complaints regarding product food safety and quality issues

o Ensure the traceability of materials and finished products and consistency meeting the established specifications

· Strong supervisory, managerial and leadership to plan, organize, and coordinate the quality control activities and resources.

· Set quality objectives and targets, define quality specifications and criteria, allocate quality roles and responsibilities, and evaluate quality performance and outcomes

· Manage quality risks, issues, and incidents, and implement corrective and preventive actions

· Be an effective communicator of expectations, both written and verbally, and have the appropriate balance between listening and directing to derive the best solutions and achieve compliance to expectations

· Great plant leadership to counterbalance production decisions while seeking details and information to make appropriate choice. Continue to drive the change and increase level of urgency while seeking a good balance for decision making

· Lead the QA team and strengthen/develop the quality department employees

· Develop and mentor quality team to run all aspects of quality measurements, verifications and testing of products

· Identifies and analyzes issues, defects, and other problems, particularly when problems recur in multiple products; recommends and facilitates solutions to these issues

· Ensuring that all quality policies and procedures meet standards.

o Communicates quality standards and parameters to Plant Operations, QA team, and all other appropriate staff

· All other duties as assigned

Key Performance Indicator (KPI):

Consumer complaints, Right the tirst time, Cost of non-quality

Position Requirements:

EDUCATION

· Bachelor’s Degree in science discipline required. Preferable food science, microbiology, or other quality related degree.

· Advanced degree is a plus

EXPERIENCE

· 5 to 8 years of quality management experience in food manufacturing

· Strong leadership experience in fast growth environment.

· GFSI experience required (SQF preferred)

· HACCP experience and audit management required

· Microbiology a plus

SKILLS

· Leadership, communication, talent development, collaboration, training and team building

· Influence and impact

· Problem-solving and detail oriented

· Knowledge of GMP and food safety regulations

· Able to manage priorities and complexities. Multitasking and the ability to manage multiple priorities at one time

· Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook

· Internal Audit, PCQI, HACCP, and SFQ Practitioner certification

· Writing, statistical, analytical, and critical thinking

PHYSICAL & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

· Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs.

· Must be able to wear appropriate personal protective equipment

· Must be able to work in in a manufacturing environment and under normal office conditions

· Must be able to work a minimum of 8 hours per day and be on their feet for extended periods of time

· Must be flexible to production requirements in a 24/7 environment

· Travel ~10%

Bel Brands is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Bel Brands prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also Bel Brand’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

Bel Brands is committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting people with disabilities and veterans. If you need an accommodation or assistance in using the website, please call 312-462-1500.

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