Summary
Location
Rockford
Type
full-time
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About this role
Step into a role where quality isn’t just a standard—it’s a shared passion. At our Rockford Plant, home to our exceptional cultured products, we’re searching for a dedicated Quality Assurance Supervisor ready to make an impact from day one. As a key leader on-site, you’ll guide QA operations through every stage of production, champion food safety, and inspire teams to uphold excellence in everything they do. If you thrive in a collaborative environment, lead with intention, and bring a proactive approach to continuous improvement, this is your opportunity to shape the future of quality at our facility. Let’s build something great together.
Shift: 1st shift - M-F - 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Core responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Complete required quality record review, such as laboratory documentation, CCP, PC, and other documentation.
- Write, review, and implement quality assurance procedures.
- Recommend modifications or upgrades to testing procedures or equipment. Coordinate the procurement of items required for the lab.
- Assist the quality manager and partner with operations with the pathogen environmental monitoring (PEM) program, including oversight of the swabbing program, investigation/corrective actions, and mitigation activities.
- Provide regular training, instruction, and guidance to employees on matters of food safety, quality, and compliance
- Initiate and drive continuous improvement activities, and partner with all facility functions to resolve persistent challenges while supporting the implementation of new procedures or processes.
- Support customer, regulatory, and third-party quality and food safety audits.
- Investigate, find solutions, and implement remedies to quality issues and customer complaints
- Support and maintain existing certifications (e.g., SQF, Kosher, Halal, Organic).
- Supervise hourly employees’ activities to meet or exceed the standards and specifications established by quality assurance and the organization.
- Ensure all process, product, or infrastructure changes are understood by employees in a timely fashion.
- Identify and retain highly effective personnel through proper selection, training, and establishing expectations.
- Develop and implement material standards with appropriate control and inspection procedures to improve product quality and reduce rework/downtime.
- Maintain close surveillance over inspection/testing procedures and corresponding results to ensure the finished product is food-safe and meets customer expectations.
- Support the analysis of quality data to assess product performance and utilize statistical process control (SPC) tools to identify and react to unfavorable trends.
- Complete supervisory activities such as administering employee promotions and transfers; reviewing and editing employee timekeeping; completing performance evaluations; mentoring, training, and coaching employees.
- Follow all DFA good manufacturing practices (GMP) and work in a manner consistent with all corporate regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements.
- Bachelor of Science degree in food science, biological sciences, or related field preferred. Will consider a minimum of 4+ years of experience in lieu of a degree.
- 2-5 years of experience in a quality department with knowledge and experience in labs and sanitation departments.
- A minimum of 2 years of experience in a lead or supervisory role.
- Dairy experience is preferred, seeking a candidate with work experience in the food and beverage industry.
- Certification and/or license – PCQI, HACCP, SQF Practitioner certifications preferred; may be required during the course of employment.
- Ability to calibrate a variety of testing equipment.
- Strong computer proficiency with MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Ability to work in temperature-controlled environments typical of dairy production, including areas as cold as 32°F
Benefits:
- Comprehensive Benefits Package available 1st of the month after start date
- 401 (k) with company contribution
- Competitive pay
- Paid vacations and holidays
- Career growth opportunities – we promote from within!
- Service recognition and employee rewards
- Employee referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Work for dairy farm families
An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans
Other facts
About Kemps
A family of farmers, neighbors and friends.
Since 1914, Kemps has been delighting families throughout the upper Midwest with wholesome and delicious dairy products. From our beginnings as a small creamery in Southeastern Minnesota, Kemps has extended its roots to include the manufacture and marketing of fresh milk, premium ice cream and frozen yogurt, frozen novelties, sour cream and cottage cheese through retail supermarkets and food service channels. Headquartered today in St. Paul, Minnesota, we operate six manufacturing facilities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota and have over 1,200 employees.
Our commitment to taste and quality remains unchanged. Our purpose at Kemps is to “Nourish Families.”
• By providing wholesome dairy products that nourish families and promote happiness.
• Through the support we provide each other as a family of employees.
• Through the engagement of our employees in the communities we serve.
• Through the return we provide for our farmer owners and their families.
Kemps is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dairy Farmers of America. 100% of our profits go to dairy farmers and their families.
What you'll do
- The Quality Assurance Supervisor will oversee QA operations throughout production, ensuring food safety and quality standards are met. They will also drive continuous improvement initiatives and support audits and compliance efforts.
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