Food Safety Assurance Manager

As a leader and innovator in the snack food industry for over 50 years, J&J Snack Foods provides branded snack foods to foodservice and retail supermarket outlets across the U.S. Its products include such icons as SUPERPRETZEL, ICEE, and Dippin’ Dots along with other key brands like LUIGI’S Real Italian Ice, The Funnel Cake Factory Funnel Cakes, and Hola Churros. J&J also has a strong presence in bakery providing cakes, cookies, and pies to some of the largest grocery and convenience retailers in industry. Our company continues to deliver record sales led by a talented team and a commitment to “Fun Served Here”.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The FSQA Manager has the primary responsibility of developing and directing a cohesive and cost-effective Quality Assurance program for the plant as a whole. 

Will provide leadership for the plant by establishing a food safety & quality strategy, developing/strengthening our internal FSQA culture, and driving continuous improvement of existing FSQA programs to meet corporate standards.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Develop FSQA strategy, compliance goals/objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs). 

• Organize/drive continuous improvement of food safety & quality assurance system/programs and ensure appropriate system reviews/audits are conducted to meet corporate FSQA standards, maintain SQF certifications and meet all regulatory requirements.  

• Lead validation/verification activities to support food safety & quality assurance system. 

• Implement appropriate monitoring programs/maintain all documentation for FSQA system. 

• Update and implement SQF plan(s) whenever there is a change of program, procedure, ingredient, equipment, industry philosophy, technology, etc. 

• Lead the process of moving from a quality control minded organization to a quality assurance minded organization while strengthening internal FSQA culture. 

• Lead and facilitate the plant in consumer and customer complaint resolution, corrective and preventive actions, and complaint reduction activity across the enterprise. 

• Support Operations in embedding systemic corrective and preventative actions regarding internal and third-party audit deficiencies. 

• Lead the facility in the adoption and disciplined use of a clearly defined, well-documented and systematic commercialization process for new product launches/product process redesigns. 

• Support defining plant process capabilities, sampling plans, & protocols to transition product from R&D pilot to commercial manufacturing (e.g., in-process control points). 

• Support translation of product specifications to appropriate manufacturing documentation.  

• Lead activities that empower, engage, and involve operators with the information and tools for continuous improvement in facility manufacturing processes.  

• Provide the means for incorporating the necessary tools, equipment, and methods into the new and existing processes aimed at continuous improvement. 

• Maintain awareness of the business context and company profitability. 

• Support Operations in achieving continuous improvement targets and plant goals. 

• Support efforts to ensure consumer-acceptable product is being produced at the plant. 

• Lead changes to existing processes/products in response to complaints, customer requests, or cost-saving activity. 

• Lead and support seamless exchange of technical and product information between and among unit functional areas (e.g., R&D, plant operations, regulatory compliance) and/or customer. 

• Lead and support the achievement of plant operations quality goals. 

• Guide the transition to operator-focused quality measurements to meet product specifications. 

• Ensure training of plant personnel in SQF, Food Safety/Defense, GMPs and any other required training identified for new programs or processes.  

• Maintain all FSQA related training records.  

• Support determination & implementation of product dispositions regarding holds, warehouse, transport, and logistics. 

• Participate in FSQA bimonthly calls, Summit meetings and corporate driven peer to peer audit program. 

• Position supports sales and regulatory compliance teams by updating product specifications and quality parameters into customer portals. 

• Position oversees budget and labor expenses and ensures FSQA supplies are stocked and ordered. 

• Works closely with operations, maintenance, R&D, plant leadership and the Director of FSQA defining goals, objective and KPIs; and manages the FSQA team/department, FSQA system and programs, sanitation, and product specifications.   

• Position is responsible for all the above and any other duties as assigned by management. 

COMPETENCIES:  

To perform this job successfully, the Food Safety & QA Manager must be self-motivated, able to problem solve, detail-oriented, and able to stay on task. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  

• Previous experience in food production/manufacturing environments including a general knowledge of food ingredients and processing equipment. 

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and time management skills. Must display strong leadership qualities 

• While performing duties of this job, Manager is regularly required to stand for long periods of time, use hands to finger, handle control, and to talk or hear. Frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The may be required to lift 25 pounds routinely 

• Excellent organization and time management skills. 

• Must be a self-starter and be able to accomplish a versatile and evolving workload.  

• Excellent in all forms of communication.  

• Skilled at PowerPoint design and ideation.  

• Innovative, problem solver, flexible, and able to juggle multiple priorities. 

• Self-motivated, with the ability to multi-task, prioritize, and adapt well to change.   

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  

• B.S. in Food Science or related field preferred. 

• Minimum of 7 or more years’ experience in Food Safety & Quality Assurance Management in the food industry. 

• Minimum 5 years in managerial position. 

• Excellent report writing skills. 

• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal). 

• Demonstrated problem solving skills (extensive experience with root cause analysis and CAPA programs). 

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively communicate in English commensurate with the requirements of this position. 

• Excellent knowledge of food manufacturing processes, sanitation programs, and process validations/verifications. 

• Solid understanding of food safety. 

• Experience using a full range of statistical and analytical tools and fundamentals. 

• Preferred candidates have a thorough understanding of risk assessments, water activity and microbiology. 

• Extensive experience in SQF, ISO, HACCP and/or other food safety & quality assurance systems including prerequisite programs and preventive controls. 

• Must be HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) certified. 

• Must be a recognized SQF practitioner. 

• Must have PCQI certification 

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: 

• 5% Travel 

Disclaimer: This position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the team member. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

EEO Statement: J&J Snack Foods Corp.is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discriminatory employment actions against, and treatment of, employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived Federal, State and local laws that prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, ethnicity, alienage, religion or creed, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship, genetic disposition or characteristics, disability or veteran's status, sex offenses, prior record of arrest or conviction, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking and unemployment status.