Quality Assurance Manager

About Us: Carl Buddig and Company, a respected name in the meat manufacturing industry, boasts a legacy of over 80 years. Founded as a family-owned company, we have evolved into a leading producer of premium meat products, including renowned lunchmeats, ready-to-eat cooked meats under our Kingsford, LLC division, and savory snack meats from Old Wisconsin. As a third- family business, our success is anchored in our commitment to quality, innovation, and community. With a workforce of 2,500 dedicated team members spread across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, we continue to expand, driven by a vision for excellence and a responsiveness to evolving consumer preferences. At Carl Buddig and Company, we foster a culture centered around teamwork and innovation. We strive to create an environment that values creativity and collaboration, ensuring every team member is empowered to contribute to our collective goals. Our dedication extends beyond our business operations. We actively support charitable initiatives and community organizations through direct contributions, volunteer work, and partnerships. We aim to make a positive impact and give back to the communities that have supported us over the years. Join us at Carl Buddig and Company, where tradition meets innovation, and where our passion for quality meat products is matched by our commitment to our people and communities. Position Summary: This position will manage, plan, coordinate and develop the Carl Buddig and Co. Quality Assurance Program designed to ensure the quality and consistency per USDA regulations in all process and finished meat and poultry products. This position ensures that all processes impacting the quality production of Company products are consistent with established plant procedures in cooperation with other management staff or personnel. Major Duties and Responsibilities: Manages and monitors the Quality Assurance process developed for selection, inspection and use of suppliers to ensure compliance with quality standards, including auditing manufacturing processes and specified standards at supplier sites. Interprets quality assurance philosophy to key personnel in the organization. Develops new approaches to solve problems identified during quality assurance activities. Reviews and verifies daily HACCP paperwork for South Holland and Vincennes facilities. Provides detailed directions for scheduling and completion of internal facility audits. Assists with customer complaint trending and resolution. Serves as substitute co-lead during 3rd party audits (SQF, GFCO). Prepares and presents programs to maintain training of all plant employees in policies and programs such as GMPs, HACCP, SSOP's, and Company Allergen Policy. Reviews all data obtained during all quality assurance activities to ensure consistency with company policies and procedures. Keeps management abreast of significant issues or developments identified during quality assurance and food safety activities and actions being taken to improve the situation. Trains Quality Assurance personnel to perform in-plant process inspections and internal audits as required by established plant auditing program. Maintains a working knowledge of government and industry quality assurance and food safety codes and standards. Establishes an active role in plant quality improvement within the organization. Designs and implements quality assurance training programs to key personnel in conjunction with other plant-based management. Investigates and provides timely follow-up for customer complaints regarding quality concerns or deficiencies. Oversees all lab activities (testing protocol and procedures), lab supply inventory, lab safety, and external laboratory relationships. Ability to interpret lab results/data as it relates to product testing requirements. Regularly interfaces with USDA IIC when needed to maintain positive communication between regulatory and plant personnel. Familiar with USDA Regulatory Labeling requirements. Knowledge and Experience: Bachelor's degree is required. Minimum of 3-5 years of applicable plant quality assurance/control experience. Requires strong meat and poultry processing experience. Knowledge of USDA regulations regarding food manufacturing including HACCP, GMPs, Allergens, SSOP's, Recall/Withdrawal. Previous experience with plant audits/inspections including third party, city, state and federal is required. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant J-18808-Ljbffr