Senior Quality Assurance Manager
3 days ago
Louisville
Who are we? Fresca Foods, located in Louisville just outside Boulder, Colorado, is a dynamic force in the natural foods industry where innovation fuels progress and creative ideas transform into future food lifestyles. For over two decades, we have partnered with global CPG companies and visionary entrepreneurs as both a natural foods manufacturing partner and a vertically integrated operator of natural food brands—working together to redefine traditional food categories and revolutionize the food system with a strong focus on safety and excellence. Combining the high-energy spirit of a startup with the stability and opportunity of a larger organization, Fresca Foods is committed to integrity, producing high-quality, sustainable food that promotes joy, well-being, and environmental stewardship. As a leading Boulder County employer and recipient of industry recognition, we are equally dedicated to community service and to creating abundant opportunities for motivated individuals who share our passion for great food and for shaping the future of our company. There’s never been a more exciting time to join Fresca Foods! We’re continuing to grow in a big way, including the launch of a brand-new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with advanced automation and high-speed production technology. As we expand, we’re creating new opportunities across the company for people who are excited to learn, grow, make an impact, and help shape what’s next. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, innovative environment where your work truly matters, we’d love to have you on the journey with us. Position Overview The Senior QRO Manager is responsible for daily execution of Quality Food Safety policies, SOP’s, and for leading, training and mentoring of Quality Assurance Supervisors and Technicians. The Senior QRO Manger is a champion of Food Safety Culture in the organization. Essential Functions Food Safety & Quality Regulatory Compliance • Daily Execution of Quality and Food Safety Policies, procedures and programs including management of food safety control documentation and continuous improvement, • Drive compliance to all defined specifications and regulatory requirements by understanding all applicable food regulations (international, national, state, local and identity preserved) and effectively interact with regulatory personnel, • Perform risk assessments based upon perceived or actual threats to the Fresca Quality Management System, • Responsible for understanding and leading the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards, • Assists the SQF Practitioner in implementing, facilitating and oversight of customer and third-party audits for certification or recertification, • Responsible for understanding related Quality Management Systems including SQF, FSMA, USDA, HACCP, and GMPs to ensure safety and quality of employees and products, • Responsible for managing and actively verifying our monitoring systems and food safety and quality checks are being completed and documented, including pre-operational inspection, • Manages Pest Control compliance with Vendor, • Communicate with customers on needs for trials and new product launches, coordinating the analytical testing needs in accordance with customer specifications Procedures, Programs & Policies • Execute, develop and maintain corporate food safety and quality assurance procedures, programs, and policies of the Quality Management System (QMS) which includes food defense and food security, • Responsible for maintaining monitoring equipment and calibration of that equipment, • Drive Food Safety Culture programs in the organization with continuous training and measurable metrics, • Work closely with Continuous Improvement Manager and MIT management to ensure process changes are compliant with regulatory requirements and Fresca food safety policies, • Maintain knowledge of industry changes and regulatory requirements to ensure Fresca Foods is operating in compliance with Food Codes and train all departments on any pertinent changes Collaboration & Communication • Collaborate with all departments to implement customer and/or company strategies that define and improve new product lines, extensions and specifications maintaining cross functional food safety and quality practices from concept to commercialization, • Maintains awareness and communicates to Fresca Leadership emerging industry and technology trends and advances in food safety, sanitary design and product quality for the benefit of the company and customer, • Executes annual training in Food Safety, quality and regulatory compliance, • Coaches Operations and QRO on Food Safety/Quality execution of all monitoring activities, • Participates as an active member of Food Safety, Food Defense, and Crisis Management teams, • Participates as a member of Floor Operations Management Team’s meetings, projects, and programs, • Presentation & collection of monthly QRO Department scorecard data for the organization, • Participates in continuous improvement committees, including those related to ERP systems, Inventory Excellence, marginal improvement tracking, etc. Supervision of Quality Assurance Supervisors Ensures Supervisors are: • Troubleshooting: investigating and resolving any issues that may impact safety, quality, and timely release of all products, such as hold investigations and process non-conformances., • Providing adequate onboarding training and continuous development of Quality Assurance Technicians, • Training QA Techs on the process controls, corrective actions to failed checks, and overall food safety practices according to all processing rooms’ requirements Ongoing Management of QA Personnel: • Hold departmental communication meetings or attend supervisor huddle meetings to ensure pertinent information is communicated to all QA personnel, • Prepares and conducts annual reviews for QA Supervisors, • Establishes and maintains a positive work environment, mentoring and guiding team., • Works with Operations and R&D to execute new projects, Trials or product launches, and Equipment Move execution, • Acts in the event it is perceived that a food safe work environment is compromised by notifying Operations Management and stopping the process, • Acts as the back-up HACCP Coordinator & back-up SQF Practitioner, • The back-up to the Quality Operations Manager is the Senior Director of QRO, • Other duties as assigned Education, Experience, Skills & Knowledge • 8+ years’ experience in Food Safety/Quality management (food manufacturing), • Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Technology or related discipline required, • Certified in HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point), • Certified PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual), • Excellent leadership, customer and internal communication, and team building skills, • Ability to function strategically and handle multiple projects simultaneously, • Understanding of microbiology, aseptic sampling, methods, and interpretation, • MS Office proficiency with the ability to analyze, input, graph, trend and report data in a detailed and understandable manner Compensation $80,000–$110,000 annually. Placement within the range is based on the depth and relevance of a candidate's experience, demonstrated leadership, and overall qualifications. As a general guideline: • $80,000–$89,999 (QRO Manager): Typically 3–5 years’ experience in Food Safety/Quality management (food manufacturing), • $90,000–$99,999 (QRO Manager): Typically 5–7 years’ experience in Food Safety/Quality management (food manufacturing), • $100,000–$110,000 (Senior QRO Manager): Typically 8+ years’ experience in Food Safety/Quality management (food manufacturing) Benefits • Health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, pet insurance, 401(k) with company match, generous PTO, paid holidays, life insurance and short term disability insurance, annual bonus potential Work Environment • Able to sit or stand for extended periods of time, • Able to work in both hot/warm conditions, • Comfortable with a moderate noise level, • Able to work in an environment with peanuts and tree nuts At Fresca, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products and our community. Fresca Foods is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to equal consideration regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. In addition, Fresca Foods is committed to equal pay for equal work. The pay range indicated in this job posting represents the low and high end of the hiring range for this job. Although actual pay may vary and may be above or below this range, generally speaking, offers will typically be made in the bottom half of the listed range. The amount offered will take into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, as well as the position's work location, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment. Please, no third party inquiries.