Manager, Quality Assurance

Job SummaryThe Quality Assurance Manager executes Quality Assurance programs and processes for GoTo Foods concepts including international locations.Cross-Functional Collaboration for Product Development & Matching of CORE items for all brands.Communicates effectively to influence stakeholders and build business partnerships to make sure results are delivered to maintain Food Safety and Quality Assurance through the organization.Partners with Operations, Culinary, Training, and Supply Chain teams to lead the development of programs and processes to meet Food Safety, regulatory, and company requirements.Our organization, teams, and associates are driven by our purpose statement, We Feed People & Potential. This statement along with our ROOTS values (Respect, Ownership, Opportunity, Together, Service), guides our culture, decisions, priorities, and interactions every day.Essential FunctionsSupport collaboration with operational and training teams to maintain company and regulatory food and restaurant operation requirements.Leads to the development of HACCP and Food Safety standards to be used in all GoTo Foods locations.Works with company operations to make sure HACCP and Food Safety standards are implemented and followed in franchise and company locations.Monitors Quality Assurance and Food Safety performance of vendor plants and distributors for compliance to product quality specifications, Good Manufacturing Practices, HACCP, and Food Safety.Performs audits to vendor plants and distributors as needed.Performs product tests at vendor plants during production runs for compliance to GoTo Foods product specifications.Reviews vendors third party audits and corrective action plans.Works with vendors to investigate and resolve product quality complaints.Monitors vendors KPIs and communicate out of specification results.Performs routine quality tests of products sampled from distributors and vendor plants.Performs periodic mock recalls at distributors and GoTo Foods locations.Monitors FDA and USDA recall list for GoTo Foods vendors and communicates to management as needed.Manages Scientific Unbiased Sensory Evaluation program for new products and matching secondary and/or alternative products.Responsible for preventing late-stage compliance issues, improving time-to-market commercialization, and enhancing overall product integrity.Leverage CI (Consumer Insights) to collect responses from sensory evaluations and report out to key stakeholders.EducationBS degree in Food Science required.MS degree in Food Science preferred.Work Experience6+ years of Quality Assurance experience.Quick service restaurants and franchise operations experience preferred.In-depth knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices for the food industry, Food Code, FDA, USDA, Animal Welfare, state/local food governing bodies and regulations.SkillsProven leadership capabilities and communication skills.Strong ethics and integrity in building personal relationships with all employees, stakeholders, and other key constituents.Possesses a high degree of drive and attention to details with a proven track record of achieving results.Strategic thinker, solid presentation skills, highly organized, detail minded, ability to multi-task, integrity, dedicated, professional attitude, food and restaurant industry Knowledge.Expert level skill with Microsoft Excel; Proficiency in other Microsoft platforms such as Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.Results driven, self-directed, statistical mindset, strong leadership, coaching and team building skills.Exceptional understanding of Food Safety management systems to maintain Food Safety culture thru the organization.CertificationsHACCP certified.Certified Food Scientist (CFS) preferred.SQF Practitioner and/or BRC auditor certification preferred.Travel RequirementMay be required to travel up to 25% of the time