Quality Assurance Manager - San Leandro, CA

The Quality Assurance (QA) Manager is responsible for managing the San Leandro Quality department to provide safe, high-quality products that meet regulatory, customer and consumer expectations. This role has the overall accountability of ensuring food safety and quality systems are properly documented, implemented, and validated as directed to ensure compliance. This position provides leadership to achieve company and departmental goals through planning, executing, verifying, and validating continuous improvement strategies and activities.

• Hire, develop and manage performance of the team. Create an inclusive environment that embraces our values and purpose.
• Manage supplier quality programs
• Ensure the successful implementation and maintenance of programs to achieve compliance with international, federal, state or local regulations as they apply to food safety and labeling requirements
• Develop and implement quality assurance programs for the plant to ensure compliance with FSMA, Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), and sustainability requirements
• Prepare, coordinate and represent the company during 3rd party, regulatory and surveillance audits
• Maintain Quality programs including, but not limited to, scorecards, IPM, SPC, microbiological testing, sensory, weight control, product recall, and audits
• Manage and improve key quality and food safety performance metrics
• Prepare reports by collecting, analyzing and summarizing data
• Drive continuous improvement through the application of scientific methodology, root cause and statistical analysis tools
• Implement and utilize effective and approved analytical methods to assure the high quality of raw materials, semi-finished products, and finished products
• Participate in food tasting and product evaluation to ensure stringent quality expectations are met and the Ghirardelli flavor profile is maintained and protected
• Investigate consumer and customer complaints and implement corrective and preventative actions to resolve
• Participate in the development of the department's annual budget, manage departmental spend, and ensure budgetary compliance
• Serve as back-up for the Director of Quality Assurance in her/his absence
• May perform other duties as assigned

• Bachelor of Science Degree (Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, or closely related field of study)
• Quality leadership experience in a food plant environment with an understanding of manufacturing processes
• Experience with regulatory agencies such as FDA, USDA or State Health Department
• Implementing quality systems and effective auditing programs. Experience with GFSI
• 5+ years of experience food safety/quality/sanitation in the food industry
• 2+ years of people management experience
• PCQI, HACCP certified
• Preferred:
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) and Certified Quality Auditor (CQA)
• Chocolate experience
• SAP experience

Other Job Requirements

• Required to regularly sit
• Must be able to concentrate for extended periods of time paying close attention to detail
• Must be able to keyboard for extended periods of time
• Must be capable of using protective equipment such as hard hats, safety glasses/goggles, safety shoes, hearing protection, air masks, respirators, etc. in the performance of job duties
• Must be able to kneel, bend, crouch and climb as required
• Travel <10%

Salary: $117770 to $153080 / year