Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager

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!

A day in the life...

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

What you will be doing...

• Actively support with drafting and implementing the quality policies, procedures, and standards for the organization then helping roll them out at the plant level
• Helping to problem solve and get to root cause
• Providing direction on deviations and assisting with investigation at the plant
• Internal resources to help change and improvements for the business
• Ensure that manufactured products are produced in compliance with company specifications, policies, and government regulations
• Participates 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
• Establish a sustainable and proactive quality assurance function
• Lead, interpret, initiate, and investigate consumer data
• Assist the R&D department with projects as assigned
• Complete customer quality surveys as required
• Works comfortably across all stakeholders and levels of leadership in the business in a collaborative approach
• The ability to be punctual, accountable, and positive approach to meeting, projects, and work environment
• Manage FSQA team to achieve organizational targets, and administer disciplinary actions as needed
• Adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure product quality and maintain compliance with food safety standards
• Complete and follow FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support the plant's food safety and quality objectives
• Promptly report and take appropriate action on any observed or potential food safety hazards, process deviations, or non-conformities by notifying the designated plant supervisor, in accordance with your role and responsibilities
• Actively contributes to the continuous improvement of the company's Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with your role

Do you have what it takes?

(Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Microbiology, or other related science
• 3 to 5 years food safety, quality, sanitation, and/or microbiological experience
• 3 years of progressive and demonstrated managerial experience, preferable remote supervision
• 2 years of supervisory experience with direct supervisory experience of a team of at least 2 people
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, read, and write English fluently, with or without an accommodation.
• 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
• Good understanding of GMP, HACCP, SPC, IPM, analytical testing and food microbiology
• Knowledge of quality management systems
• 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.)
• Good 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 different 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
• Good 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 a variety of 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.

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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