Quality Systems Director - Ever Fresh Fruit Co

For more than 50 years, Ever Fresh Fruit Company has been providing people with elevated sensory experience through innovation for frozen dessert, cultured dairy and baked goods. We work closely with our customers to create unique flavor elements to ice creams, yogurts and pies. Many of our ingredients end up in easily recognizable brands on the store shelf as we produce for both international corporations as well as smaller, local brands.  Our Research and Development is done in-house so we get to witness the whole process from ideation to creation.  We support regional trade organizations, source locally when appropriate and help to bring healthy food to people’s tables.

What Ever Fresh Fruit Company offers! 

• Monday through Friday, with occasional Saturdays
• Employee/professional development
• Opportunities for growth
• Employee recognition programs

Ever Fresh Fruit Company offers employer paid: 

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Short-term disability
• Life insurance plan
• Vacation, sick and holiday pay
• Tuition reimbursement 
• Generous 401(k) match

Quality Systems Director

Department:                          Quality Assurance Department

Status:                                     Exempt

Employee Classification:      Regular Full-time

Reports To:                             Chief Executive Officer

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Job Summary:  Responsible for developing and maintaining the Quality strategy, policies, processes, standards and systems for the company and its supply chain to operate within. Plans, coordinates and provides high level oversight of quality assurance systems to ensure safe and quality production across all plants consistent with established specifications and standards.

Essential Functions:  

1. Oversees the implementation, maintenance and function of the food safety and quality processes including FSMA, HACCP, SQF, GMPs, Non-GMO Project, Organic, Kosher, SOPs, prerequisite programs and all customer requirements.
2. Ensures the facility in preparation for internal and external audits including: 3rd Party (SQF), GMP, HACCP, FDA/ODA, customer audits, organic audits, Non-GMO Project audits and Kosher inspections. Accompanies inspector, completes necessary reports, performs follow-ups to non-conformances, and provides responses as appropriate.
3. Oversees the Quality/Sanitation Managers to ensure support for project commercialization. Ensure appropriate steps, forms and approvals are complete to assure successful project startup.
4. Develops and analyzes statistical data to monitor quality programs in place and to drive change when necessary.
5. Manage a Quality budget across the business unit that represents an achievable value to deliver back to the business.
6. Advises Leadership on business transformation topics that include organizational effectiveness, performance results, and change management in the terms of complexity and impact on the business.
7. Develops and maintains product specifications and establishes appropriate variables and limits to ensure food safety and food quality.
8. Formulates and maintains quality control objectives complementary to company policies and goals.
9. Identifies and communicates areas of risk for the company in food safety, quality or compliance, protecting product safety and consistency at all times.
10. Works with plant management to achieve plant efficiency and quality objectives.
11. Assists with customer visits including product cuttings and plant tours.
12. Develops inspection points for product throughout production cycle.
13. Oversees all aspects of the QA Department including employee scheduling, performance management, training and development, accuracy and precision of testing equipment.
14. Establishes and enforces standards for incoming raw materials.
15. Effectively lead, manage, develop, coach, and evaluate team members and associates at various levels of experience.
16. Advises CEO of challenges and progress through regular and routine reports.
17. Establish proper communication channels to manage, mentor direct reports to higher levels of management capability and provide strategic leadership to further strengthen the platform with a highly functional Quality team.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year college or university; concentration in Food Science, Microbiology or related studies or equivalent experience preferred. All degrees considered.
2. 5+ years of experience as a Quality Assurance Manager in a food or associated business preferred.  Other leadership positions in the functional area will be considered. 
3. Expertise in HACCP, SQF, Sanitation, Food Safety and Food Defense.
4. Proficient using computer applications including Microsoft Word, Excel and email.
5. Proven ability to successfully manage aggressive timelines with positive results.
6. Effective and proven problem-solving skills.
7. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers, employees, and other organizations.
8. Strong leadership and teambuilding skills.
9. Outstanding analytical, interpersonal and communication skills.
10. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
11. Willingness to travel and work extended hours or multiple shifts on occasion.
12. Bilingual skills in English and Spanish both oral and written are preferred, but not required.

Working Conditions/Physical Factors:

1. Exposure to wet and/or humid conditions.
2. Exposure to a loud working environment, hearing protection is mandatory.
3. Exposure to hazards in the work place such as proximity to equipment conducting extreme heat, moving parts, and electrical current.
4. Must be able to work in environment containing allergens (sulfites, etc.).  Use of a respirator may be required, although this requirement is infrequent. 
5. Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time.
6. Occasionally required to use hands and fingers. 
7. Frequently required to talk or hear.
8. Frequently required to taste and smell.
9. Frequently required to lift/push/pull/carry weight up to 50 pounds.
10. Specific vision abilities required for this job include: close vision, distance vision, and color vision.
11. Exposure to fumes or airborne particles.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.