Manager, Quality & Food Safety

At Russell Stover, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you'll be part of the leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar-free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman's, and Pangburn's have been crafted with the finest ingredients to bring happiness to generations. Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company-owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let's continue making chocolate lovers happy!

As the Quality & Food Safety Manager, you will be responsible for leading and developing the local QA team while driving Russell Stover Chocolate's food safety and quality strategy through the implementation of policy and procedures to support the vision and mission.

A Day in the Life...

• Assisting in product recall or other company crisis.
• Educating and developing the local quality team.
• Drafting and implementing the quality policies, procedures, and standards for the organization then helping roll them out at the plant level.
• Problem solving and get to root cause.
• Leading the QA Team and supporting quality initiatives within the organization.
• Providing direction on deviations and assisting with investigation.
• Ensuring that manufactured products are produced in compliance with company specifications, policies, and government regulations.
• Participating in food tasting and product evaluation to ensure quality controls are met and nuances in the flavor profile are detected to protect the taste profile.
• Effectively implement and/or utilize approved analytical methods to ensure the quality of raw materials, semi-finished products, finished products and packaging materials.
• Establishing a sustainable and proactive quality assurance function.
• Overseeing the microbiological testing program, can interpret results, and provide recommendations for improvements.
• Leading, interpreting, initiating, and investigating consumer data.
• Assisting the R&D department with projects as assigned.
• Working comfortably across all stakeholders and levels of leadership in the business in a collaborative approach.
• Implementing concepts, strategy, and solutions to problems of unusual complexity which require a high degree of creativity and innovativeness. In other words, the ability to navigate and work in "the gray".
• Subject matter expert for food safety and quality, including microbiology, sanitation, FSMA, HACCP, GFSI, allergens, SPC, suppliers, etc.
• Ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) guidelines during plant visits to support product quality and uphold food safety standards.
• Complete and follow FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support the company's food safety and quality objectives.
• Promptly report any observed or suspected issues that may impact food safety, quality, or compliance to the designated plant personnel, to support timely corrective actions and maintain compliance.
• Actively contributes to the continuous improvement of the company's Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with your role.
• The ability to be punctual, accountable, and positive approach to meeting, projects, and work environment.
• An Internal resource to help change and improvements for the business.

This job posting is not all inclusive and other duties may be assigned.

Do you have what it takes...

(Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Microbiology, or other related science.
• 5+ years food safety, quality, sanitation, and/or microbiological experience.
• 5+ years of progressive and demonstrated managerial experience.
• 3+ years supervisory experience with direct supervisory experience of a team of at least 2 people.
• Proven knowledge of food quality standards, including federal (FDA) regulations.
• Formal training and demonstrated competencies in HACCP, FSMA, sanitation, food safety, regulatory compliance, and GFSI.
• Strong understanding of GMP, HACCP, SPC, IPM, SAP, analytical testing and food microbiology.
• Knowledge of quality management systems.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, read, and write English fluently, with or without an accommodation.
• Excellent computer skills with a working knowledge of MS Office.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Frequent ability to twist, squat, bend, stooping, stretch and reach above shoulder level.

Do you stand above the rest...

(Preferred Qualifications)

• QMS training (GFSI, ISO, SQF, etc.).
• Strong interpersonal, managerial and leadership skills required with the ability to teach and develop others in the organization (up, down, and across).
• Ability to work with and teach individuals at all levels within the organization both in groups and independently.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent organization and prioritization skills.

Experience Life at Russell Stover Plants!

• Safety First: Your well-being is our top priority, and we've got you covered with protective gear. On day one, you'll dive into Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training, and we'll keep you on your toes with daily safety tips to ensure you're always in the know!
• Surroundings: Get ready to work alongside cutting-edge equipment like automated packing machines, forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and those irresistible chocolate candy banks/steels - it's a dynamic environment where every day brings something new!
• Active & Engaging Work: Whether you're on your feet for extended periods, moving around, climbing ladders, or lifting up to 50 lbs, there's never a dull moment. This is a place where you'll stay on the move!
• Comfortable Climate: In most roles, you will be comfortable year-round with our climate-controlled environment.
• Appealing Smells: The air is filled with sweet aromas of chocolate, and by the time your shift ends, you might just leave smelling like chocolate!
• Dress to Impress (Food Safety Style): A simple yet important dress code ensures safety and hygiene, following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to keep everything running smoothly.
• Allergens: You will be exposed to a variety of ingredients that may be considered food allergens like nuts, milk, and more.

At Russell Stover Chocolates, we don't just accept difference - we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Russell Stover Chocolates is proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Employment by Russell Stover Chocolates is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.

Make Happy. Work Happy.

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