Plant FSQA Manager

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a $300 million+ Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun.

We’re on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2027, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. At Riverside, you’ll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain – and yes, it will get rough. But that’s what makes the journey worthwhile.

So, lace up your boots and let’s tackle the climb together.

You can learn more about us at www.riversidenaturalfoods.com.

Position Summary/Objective: 

The position ensures successful operation of Riverside’s Food Safety and Quality Management System, is a talented leader with strong coaching, people, and decision-making skills.  They are passionate about Riverside’s values and purpose, food safety, quality (delighting our consumers) and always lead with a continuous improvement mindset.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate and uphold Riverside’s Values and purpose.
• Take OWNERSHIP of Riverside’s Food Safety and Quality Management System of the plant that they are assigned to.
  • Establish and maintain food safety and quality standards for processes and products.
  • Establish and maintain records to measure and track quality performance.
  • Contribute to the plant team to obtain the maximum (best) rating for all the external audits, like unannounced BRC, customer’s audits, etc.
  • Lead the voice of our consumers. Always looking for ways to facilitate and/or implement quality systems to provide the best consistent quality product that delight our consumers.
  • Apply for and maintain regulatory and relevant industry certifications.
  • Ensure that all regulatory, certification, and internal audits are successfully completed on a timely basis (CFIA, FDA, BRC, Gluten Free, Kosher, Organic, Vegan, RSPO, etc.)
  • Ensure company food safety and quality program requirements and audits are always met while continuously building a positive relationship with customers.
  • Complete a formal risk assessment on food safety, quality, food fraud and vulnerability for all new raw material and innovation items prior to launch approval
  • Support the R&D Team with the development, validation, training, monitoring and accuracy of all critical parameters (CTP, CTQ, CTC)
• Demonstrate leadership in quality and continuous improvement
  • Oversee the plant food safety and quality assurance TEAM to ensure all required internal documentation and regulatory records are kept up to date
  • Coordinate with Marketing, Sales and Customer Service to respond to consumer and customer complaints and enquiries.
  • Facilitate root cause analysis and support the plant leadership in implementing corrective and preventative actions in a RESPECTFUL manner for all quality and food safety complaints.
• Perform vital managerial functions:
  • Monitor, train, cross train, coach, and mentor staff. Manage hiring, performance evaluation, discipline and termination of staff.
  • Demonstrating HUMILITY by displaying good leadership by helping the TEAM succeed
  • Coordinate training and coaching of plant staff in processes and procedures related to quality during the manufacturing process
  • Manage quality related communication across all departments in the plant
  • Ensure continuous improvement
• Keeps the work atmosphere FUN by keeping it light and welcoming
• Other duties as assigned

Reporting Relationships

• Reports to the Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance & Regulatory. Reporting into this role are FSQA Coordinator and FSQA Technicians

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Technology or other related fields
• 7+ years comprehensive food safety and quality management experience with an extensive background in manufacturing in the highly automated food industry
• Strong knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP principles, BRC standards, quality improvement tools, root cause analysis and SPC
• Good understanding of food regulations for Canada, the U.S including organic and gluten free.
• GFSI, PCQI, HACCP, and internal audit certification and previous experience leading the audits preferably BRC standard.
• Resourceful and ADAPTABLE

Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated management ability, capable of working on and leading a diverse TEAM
• Strong multitasking, analytical and decision-making skills with the ability to identify root causes and solve problems
• Self-starter with a high level of initiative and ADAPTABILITY
• Strong planning, organizing and time management skills, detail oriented.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written), including the ability to make presentations and conduct training; and to write policies and procedures.
• Passionate individual that has the ability to develop relationships and the business.

What we expect:

• Values-led: You’ll be a member of a thoughtful and compassionate team that prioritizes respect, teamwork and resourcefulness along with a good dash of fun. Sometimes, even making granola bars is hard, and life’s too short to take ourselves so seriously that we don’t enjoy the journey.
• Unparalleled experiences and opportunities: We’re still determining who we are and what we can be. Help us shape what this organization will look like and what we’ll offer the world, into the future. This means rolling up your sleeves and sometimes building the process – fast! – while employing it. At Riverside, progress occasionally means proceeding imperfectly, and we’re okay with that, as long as we’re staying true to our values and learning and improving along the way.
• Access to everyone: We’re a flat organization with few silos which means you’ll have full access to everyone from our founders to our production staff. Even when employees dress up, they wear steel-toed shoes. So don’t be shy. Speak up, share your ideas and go places you normally wouldn’t – like the plant, or the boardroom.
• Personal development: We’ll support and empower you to chart your own path and reach any heights you set for yourself. Career paths at Riverside are carved by the people walking on them, not dictated by leaders. Count on us to give you the training and tools to grow and progress.
• Gratitude: As a growing business, we can’t always offer formal recognition like awards programs, but we do show our true gratitude and appreciation. At Riverside, we’re all in this together and we value you.

What We Offer:

• Values-led: We don’t cut corners or step on anyone or anything on our way to our summit. There is no winning at all costs here. Every step you take must align with our values, no compromises.
• Courageous determination: As a family-run, rapidly growing business, we are often challenged to find ways to deliver that aren’t obvious or easy. You must be willing to try, ask and answer challenging questions, test and learn, turn over every stone, keep moving forward and help us find a way through. Resourcefulness and grit will be your constant companions at Riverside and will serve you well.
• Humility: We’re a small (but growing) fish in a sea of whales and sharks. We know the products we offer are some of the healthiest and most sustainable, but we don’t brag about it, and know we have a steep path ahead. We pride ourselves in being respectful and supportive of others while shining brightly through our innovative, high-quality products. There isn’t one superstar at Riverside. We take turns leading the way as we climb to the summit.
• Continuous improvement: As a learn-as-we-go organization, we rely on each other to continuously improve everything we touch to make it better, more efficient, more sustainable, and more endearing to customers, consumers, employees, vendors, partners and the community. We own our mistakes and learn from them as we wind our way to the top.

Wait! There’s more!

• Immerse yourself in our comprehensive benefits program, with Riverside taking care of the costs!
• RRSP matching or IRA matching for an empowered financial journey
• Join Employee-Led Resource Groups (ERGs) championing mental health, sustainability, diversity, women, and LGBTQ+ rights
• Develop your career further through our Riverside University program and with our Tuition Reimbursement Program
• An open concept work environment that embodies our Values

How to Apply:

If you have the commitment to excellence, the energy, the attitude and experience we need, then please submit your resume to careers(AT)riversidenaturals.com with the job title you are applying for in the subject line or click the apply button!

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you have a disability and require accommodation in the interview process, please let us know when you apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to volume, please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.