Quality Assurance Manager

Job Title: Quality Assurance Manager
Location: Indianapolis, IN 46226
Duration: Direct role

Job Summary:

• Clients are currently in a high-growth state, and our culture of ACTIONS drives our team members forward to maximize their potential. We are a team of hardworking, passionate leaders who persevere through challenges, collaborate with one another to solve problems and achieve the desired outcomes, and work to bring out the best in our employees as we service our customers. At Client we welcome individuals from all backgrounds and abilities to apply and make employment decisions based on merit.
• The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for in-plant process controls to ensure compliance with Client's Quality and Safety policy and regulatory standards to ensure food safety and safe production standards are adhered to. This role manages and directs a fast-paced QA department within a client facility, ensuring maximum efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of quality, legislative, and company specifications. The Manager provides training and motivation to team members, uses recognition and positive feedback in a continuous improvement environment, and enforces all health and safety standards including GMPs and PPEs.

• Oversee quality operations and equipment to ensure conformance to specifications and make or order necessary process or assembly adjustments.
• Create and modify team member work schedules, adjust schedules, and grant time off to ensure effective communication and complete all necessary administrative work.
• Actively resolve team member issues, providing positive feedback to build confidence and constructive criticism to develop skills. Responsible for coaching and discipline.
• Conduct and ensure daily and general audits of QA operational activities to maintain the highest standards. Serve as key contact during pre-operational checks and daily functions.
• Discuss inspection results with product responsible parties and recommend corrective actions. Verify product quality and ensure product knowledge.
• Ensure products are inspected, tested, and measured for specification conformance.
• Manage HACCP and GMP Programs to ensure hygiene and manufacturing practices are adhered to. Provide technical support to cross-functional teams.
• Work closely with onsite USDA inspector.
• Ensure raw materials, packaging, labels, and final products that fail acceptance criteria are rejected or retained.
• Establish, maintain, and promote good communication across departments, management levels, and external representatives. Provide mentoring and coaching to QA team and plant leadership.
• Verify, collate, and log Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and ensure quality panels and testing are conducted regularly. Manage labor resources within budgets and handle discipline, grievance, and welfare issues per company policies.
• Liaise with Commercialization department on product trials ensuring effective resource availability and trial execution.
• Prepare for inspections, tours, and visits, acting as first point of contact for external quality audits and government/state agencies.
• Ensure the highest level of health and safety for employees and consumers, reporting accidents/incidents and conducting investigations to prevent recurrence.
• Demonstrate executive presence and represent the company effectively in high-stakes conversations with customers, regulators, and senior leadership.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in the food industry, with 3 years in Quality Assurance preferred.
• Experience in food manufacturing environments applying common processes, procedures, and equipment. Experience in chilled fresh food manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Experience working with GFSI certified companies, preferably BRC.

• Advanced education in Food Science, Food Safety, or Culinary Arts preferred.
• Related degree or certification in HACCP, Food Science, Food Handling, Culinary Arts, or other related fields preferred.
• Experience working with GFSI certified organizations (BRC preferred).
   

• Comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental, vision, pet insurance, and legal insurance.
• 401(k) with company match that is immediately vested.
• Life and ADD insurance.
• Opportunities for career growth with a dynamic company changing the landscape of fresh meals.
• Paid time off.