Sr. Quality Manager

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.

With nearly $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.

The construction of fairlife's manufacturing facility in Webster, NY is underway. This state-of-the-art, 750k sq ft, greenfield plant is expected to be operational in late 2025 and will lay the foundation for fairlife's next phase of growth as the leading dairy nutrition provider. While coupling the industry’s latest technologies and fairlife's operational excellence to build this world-class facility, fairlife plans to hire 250 new employees and bring in approximately 5 million lbs. of milk a day, with room to grow over the coming years.

job purpose: The Sr. Quality Assurance (QA) Manager is a key position within the leadership team of fairlife, LLC’s Webster, NY plant. Reporting to the corporate Quality Director, the Sr. QA manager coordinates, administers, and provides all day-to-day quality/food safety program activities for the Webster production facility. This senior manager provides a comprehensive range of quality assurance support and service to the fairlife, LLC organization and its customers. The Sr. Quality Manager develops and implements quality assurance programs and policies and acts as a primary point of liaison for quality assurance activities across the fairlife, LLC operations system. The Sr. Quality manager oversees the administration of laboratory testing programs, manages costs against operating budgets, and develops policies for internal quality assurance protocol and procedures in accordance with established company policy.

 

responsibilities:

• Oversees and administers the quality systems for the Webster, NY facility which includes the daily management of the laboratory and QA staff; provides expert guidance and consultation to management in all aspects of quality assurance compliance.
• Provides consultation, leadership, and quality control in the administration and interpretation of QA systems and policies; procedures, and documentation; develops and implements internal protocols and procedures in accordance with existing state and federal regulations, policies, and systems.
• Conducts investigations and makes recommendations as appropriate regarding issues of product quality, advice, and guidance to management in these areas, as appropriate.
• Working within the framework of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). Designs and implements quality programs, services, strategies, and initiatives that are responsive to the needs of the company’s facilities and guarantees close integration with overall company policy; monitors program efficiency, develops reporting procedures and other methods to measure success, and revises processes and procedures as necessary to improve program effectiveness. Ensures sustained GFSI compliance through leadership in specific program areas including HACCP, Internal Audit, Corrective/Preventive Actions, Management Review, Pre-requisite Programs, and Document Control.
• Provides day-to-day guidance and support to management regarding quality practices, interpretation of company quality assurance policies, problem resolution, and compliance with federal and state law; develops and maintains written departmental procedures to guide management in the application of established quality assurance and processes and documentation.
• Oversees the development, management and implementation of a variety of quality programs to ensure regulatory compliance is maintained in good standing with local, state, and federal agencies.
• Oversees the management, implementation and coordination of the food safety system programs to ensure compliance with product specifications and prevention of losses.
• Establishes and implements short- and long-range goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures; monitors and evaluates program/project effectiveness; recommends and effects changes to achieve continuous improvements in quality programs.
• Ensures contractor GMP and HACCP compliance by managing the interaction between departmental personnel and contractors and physical plant personnel.
• Performs training needs analyses, as appropriate, and initiates, develops, and/or coordinates the implementation of specific training and development programs for management, staff, and operators; conducts new employee orientation and associated activities for GMP, HACCP and quality systems.
• Oversees and coordinates the activities of the QA staff, to include assignment of work and special projects, monitoring workload and productivity, performance evaluation, and promotion of training and development; participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff as appropriate.
• Develops annual operating budgets and provides fiscal direction to the QA departments.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

 

skills/qualifications required:

 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Dairy, Food Science, or related discipline required.
• 8+ years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified including experience working in dairy manufacturing and/or low acid aseptic manufacturing.
• Certification in HACCP, PCQI/FSMA, Internal Audit, and Better Process Control School.
• Knowledge of FDA, local, State, Federal regulations for a dairy manufacturing facility.
• Ability to supervise, lead, and train staff, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments as well as employee development and performance management.
• Skilled in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and make procedural decisions and judgments on sensitive, confidential issues.
• Knowledge of computerized information systems used in quality assurance applications.
• Knowledge and understanding of employment and union avoidance practices.
• Knowledge of budgeting cost estimating, and fiscal management principles and procedures.
• Tolerance of ambiguity

 

food safety requirements:

• Notify supervision of any repairs or adjustments that are required that may affect product quality or food safety.

• Understand, observe, and comply with the handling and usage of the color-coded container policy while in the Production Areas.
• Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and/or Government requirements/standards as prioritized by the Company.
• Ability to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality system, or safety system.
• Identify and record any problems relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the ingredients, processes, quality system, or safety system.
• Control further processing or delivery of nonconforming product in terms of Food Safety and Quality issues until the deficiency or unsatisfactory condition has been corrected.
• In the event of absence, another employee with the same skill level will assume the duties and responsibilities as required.

 

position location: Webster, NY

reports to: Sr. Director, Quality

travel requirements: 10%

exempt/nonexempt: exempt

base pay range: $132,000-145,000

*Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.

fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email careers@fairlife.com.