Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager

About UNREAL

We are UNREAL - a mission-based chocolate snack company that is changing the world by proving the foods we love most don’t have to be so bad for us. UNREAL is altering the snacking landscape by reinventing America’s favorite confections we all loved ... until we realized what we were eating. We’ve removed all the artificial stuff; dyes, corn syrup, soy, preservatives, chemicals, GMO’s, and excess sugar to create chocolate snacks people can actually feel good about eating. And...the taste is UNREAL!

UNREAL products are available in over 25k locations nationwide, including Whole Foods, Costco, Walmart, Kroger, Publix, Target, and online at Thrive Market, Amazon and of course, unrealsnacks.com. And we are just getting started. Our aim is to be the global leader in better-for-you indulgent snacking. And it takes an UNREAL team to make that happen!

Job Summary

The Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager will drive key initiatives across our Co-Manufacturing Partners, identifying, assessing, and executing improvement opportunities across raw/pack material storage and handling, manufacturing process improvements and waste reduction. You will support new product trials and lead engagements on a regular basis with our Partners to ensure our key performance indicators (KPIs) are being measured and systems are in place such that all production meets our high quality standards. You will work closely with departmental leaders at our Co-Manufacturing Partners as well as internal Unreal stake holders to determine the root causes of issues and develop solutions to address them. You will work closely with Co-manufacturers to implement, and track success of, effective Corrective and Preventive Action plans. This collaborative approach ensures that the entire organization, including our Co-Manufacturing Partners, are committed to continuous improvement and that everyone is engaged in driving improvements and positive change. This position requires 50-60% travel throughout the year to effectively work with our partner manufacturers and suppliers on continuous improvement initiatives. 

The Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager will report directly to the Director of Food Safety and Quality. This is a remote position, though the ideal candidate is based in close proximity to a major airport.

What You'll Do

As a Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager, your primary task is to enhance the operational efficiency of the organization by constantly challenging and improving existing processes. This requires you to undertake the following key responsibilities:

A. Leading Quality and Continuous Improvement Initiatives

You will be responsible for leading, managing, and implementing quality and continuous improvement initiatives for food safety and quality across the organization. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to identify areas for improvement through on-site observations and analysis of Co-Manufacturing partner’s equipment efficiencies, production throughput, and waste generation.  You will also be tasked with formulating strategies to improve processes and enhance productivity, reduce waste, and optimize costs.

To be successful in this role, you must have a strong understanding of lean principles and methodologies, such as Six Sigma, Kaizen, and Total Quality Management, and root cause analysis tools. You must also possess outstanding analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills to drive change within the organization.

B. Developing and Implementing Quality and Continuous Improvement Strategies

In addition to leading quality and continuous improvement initiatives, you will be required to develop and implement strategies that align with organizational goals and objectives. This means you will need to collaborate with senior leadership to establish a culture of continuous improvement, which includes developing clear roadmaps, tracking progress, and KPIs.

To do this, you will need to be comfortable with data analysis, management of dashboards, setting up KPIs, and interpreting complex data to provide actionable insights. You will also need to have exceptional communication skills to effectively present your findings to stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

C. Leading Supplier Approval and Food Safety Audit Programs 

As a Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager, you will lead the Supplier Approval process for new and redundant suppliers and Co-manufacturing partners, as well as leading annual supplier audits to ensure our suppliers are meeting our best-in-class food safety standards. You will collaborate with cross functional teams to onboard new supplier partners and continually improve our food safety standards and programs. 

You will be comfortable with, and willing to learn, food safety systems and auditing, regulatory compliance for food manufacturing, and Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) audit schemes. You will utilize Unreal’s current supplier audit and approval process while taking ownership of the process and driving improvements within the program and with all our partners. 

D. Monitoring and Evaluating Performance

As a Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager, you will be responsible for continuously monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of changes made to improve organizational processes. You will use data and metrics to track progress against established KPIs, identify trends and opportunities for improvement, and communicate those findings to cross-functional teams.

By tracking performance, you can quickly identify any potential setbacks or issues that may arise and take immediate corrective action. This requires you to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to address issues as they arise, identify root causes and determine the best solutions.

E. Coaching and Training Employees

As a leader in the organization, you will play a key role in coaching and training employees on lean principles and methodologies to continuously improve processes within the organization. This includes developing training programs, conducting workshops, and coaching employees at all levels of the organization.

To be successful in this role, you must have exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills. You must also be a strong communicator with the ability to build trust and credibility with employees, maintain positive relationships, and lead by example.

As a Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager, you are responsible for driving a culture of continuous improvement within the organization, which requires you to be a proactive, solutions-oriented person who can work well within a team environment. You must be able to quickly adapt to change and have a strong passion for driving results through continuous improvement. 

• Lead end-to-end project management for key initiatives including Quality KPIs, CAPA improvements and implementation, and supporting new and existing product launches 
• Establish and manage project timelines, identifying key milestones and deliverables to ensure consistent on-time delivery to specifications and within budget
• Implement and maintain project management tools like Monday.com or similar platforms to track project progress and streamline processes
• Drive the continuous improvement of project management systems, constantly seeking best-in-class solutions to optimize workflows
• Communicate project updates early and often across multiple stakeholders, ensuring transparency on project status, risks, and critical decisions
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure projects meet strategic goals and maintain alignment with company objectives
• Hold stakeholders accountable at every stage of the process, driving timely and efficient execution of project deliverables
  
  
  

Who You Are

• 4-6 years of Manufacturing, Quality, and/or Continuous Improvement experience, preferably within the Food and Beverage Industry.
• Proficient in the development, implementation and execution of KPIs.
• Experience in a food and beverage manufacturing environment focusing on process improvement.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects across Co-Manufacturing Partners and ensuring engagement from Site Leadership through Line Operators.
• A process-oriented individual who is comfortable working in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
• Strong problem solver with the ability to think creatively and "outside the box" when faced with challenges.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of providing clear, timely updates to stakeholders at all levels, from associates to C-level executives.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to work effectively across departments and with external partners.

The base compensation range for this position is between $100,000 - $120,000 annually. This position is also eligible for a 15% bonus. The salary range listed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for this position. Individual compensation is determined by additional factors, including role-related experience and relevant education and certifications. Bonus payout is pro-rated to start date. Employees must be employed by September 30 of the calendar year to be eligible for bonus for that calendar year.

What We Offer

At UNREAL, we are dedicated to providing our employees with a comprehensive array of benefits and perks that resonate deeply with our Core Values. We believe in nurturing our team members, ensuring they feel supported and valued, and enabling them to bring their best selves to work. Below, you'll find an overview of what each UNREAL employee enjoys.

• Competitive salary and bonus
• Unlimited PTO & all federal holidays off
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance - employee premiums are 100% covered,  dependent premiums covered at 60% 
• Health Reimbursement Account
• 401(k) with company match (eligible to participate after 6 months from hire)
• Up to 18 weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Caregiver, Medical, & Bereavement Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement & Professional Development Stipend
• Wellness Stipend
• Monthly Home Office Stipend
• Coworking Stipend for remote employees
• Donation Matching Program
• Unlimited chocolate
• Great teammates and team culture - including department & team events
• Exposure to exciting opportunities at a rapidly growing brand!

Our Core Values

At UNREAL, our Core Values guide how we collaborate with our teammates and our external partners to bring our products to life. We search for candidates who encompass and build upon our Core Values, as outlined below:

Endlessly Pursue Better

Push yourself (and others!) to be the best you can be and do the best you can do. Challenge the status quo. Sweat the small details and don’t settle. Hold yourself and our company to sky high standards that will bring us to excellence in all that we do.

Do The Right Thing

Always ask the question “what is the right thing to do?” of yourself, our company, and our partners.

Always a Teacher, Always a Student

Be open enough to share your knowledge and humble enough to absorb new knowledge. This never ending cycle is the cornerstone of growth.

Radiate Good Vibes

Embody the joy we bring to the world with a contagious positive energy.

Make Every Bite Matter

Deliver our promise to make the best bite ever. We will not sacrifice taste, health, or the planet.

Unreal Brands, Inc. is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, citizenship, or any other legally recognized protected basis under applicable federal, state, or local law.