Quality Services Manager

Job DescriptionJob Description

About Request Foods, Inc.

Founded in 1990, Request Foods is a privately held, family-owned and operated frozen food manufacturer located in Holland, MI. We produce, package, and ship an assortment of frozen food entrees for Private Labels and Brands for both the retail and food service markets. Our mission is to honor God in all we do, to help people develop, to pursue excellence, and to grow profitably.

Summary: The Request Foods Quality Services Manager is responsible for ensuring that all products meet the highest standards of food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. This role involves developing and implementing quality assurance policies, conducting regular audits and inspections, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to address quality issues. The manager also oversees training programs for staff on quality control procedures, manages customer complaints related to product quality, and drives continuous improvement initiatives. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of food safety regulations are essential for success in this role.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Inspire and empower the Request Foods Quality team to achieve business success, leading to a high profit, efficient organization.
• Partner with other functional areas to enhance overall business solutions (food safety, operations, maintenance, procurement, sales, logistics, human resources) while integrating quality and food safety excellence into all aspects of the business process (measure success in terms of their success). Monitor and analyze quality performance metrics, prepare reports, and present findings to senior management.
• Leverage, advance, and integrate technology into the day-to-day quality, food safety, quality assurance processes.
• Intentionally develop Quality Control Team Leaders, a departmental team members.
• Develop and implement quality assurance policies and procedures to ensure compliance with food safety regulations (e.g., FDA, USDA) and industry standards. Facilitate the GFSI audit at each facility.
• Assure that QA/QC programs, reporting and documents are reviewed and followed up appropriately.
• Assure elements of programs are being followed (e.g. x-ray validations, CN scale calibrations, product shipments at infrequent intervals, etc.) to meet and exceed customer requirements.
• Conduct regular audits and inspections of the production process, raw materials, and finished products to identify areas for improvement and ensure adherence to quality standards.
• Oversee the calibration and maintenance of quality inspection equipment and ensure proper functioning.
• Implement appropriate KPIs to lead the quality team toward future goals and objectives.

Key Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty effectively. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• A bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry or a related field accompanied by a proven track record in quality assurance and quality control preferably in the food manufacturing industry.
• 5+ active years in an influential leadership role with demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional and cross-cultural teams. A people over profit relationship-based leadership style.
• Experience in strategic objective goal setting to drive increased operational performance.
• Advanced analytical, problem solving, negotiating, and communicating skills.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to balance multiple tasks with tight timeframes along with a high level of personal initiative and motivation.
• Knowledge of current USDA/FDA regulations and can research resources to best understand regulatory changes.
• Possess food safety related certifications: HACCP, PCQI, Food Defense, etc.
• Experience managing external audits with GFSI, customer, vendors and regulatory agencies.
• Proficient with Microsoft Applications (e.g. word, excel, outlook, etc).
• Having a keen attention to detail, ability to prioritize, follow instructions and follow through on projects to achieve wanted results.