Quality Manager

Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) is actively interviewing for a Quality Manager to join our team in our Ovid, MI dairy. 

The Quality Manager is responsible for managing Quality Assurance Programs establishing, implementing and monitoring Food safety and quality programs, including regulatory and customer audits. Ensuring food safety and quality of all products produced. Perform inspections of processes, employee training, compliance with applicable food laws and regulations and verify Food safety plans. Manage the QA laboratory. Actively participates in resolving customer complaints. Integral part of plant leadership team. Provides support to Sales and Operations on customer issues, questions and concerns

Who are we? 

The Michigan Milk Producers Association is a dairy farmer owned cooperative and dairy processor. Founded in 1916, the MMPA serves dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin.

MMPA maintains a strong presence within the dairy industry with strategic business relationships through a variety of channels like processing shelf-stable, value-added dairy products. MMPA has four member owned processing plants in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, including Superior Dairy and the Middlebury Cheese Company. Products made at MMPA’s plants include fluid milk, sour cream, cheese, ultra-filtered milk, cottage cheese, ice cream, butter, nonfat dry milk, cream and condensed skim milk.

We offer:

• Competitive salary
• Health and wellness benefits with medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, including mental health benefits
• Disability insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement including 401k with employer contributions
• Personal and professional growth opportunities
• Employee appreciation events and recognition awards
• Employee wellness initiatives
• Employees feedback and suggestion forums 

Job Responsibilities:

• Leadership of Quality team at the Plant
• Oversee, implement and maintain quality programs related to vendor certification, raw materials, product mock recall, hold and release, food safety and quality programs
• Data analysis and trending to improve quality
• Work on customer complaint resolution (root cause analysis and development of corrective and preventive actions)
• Ability to work with cross functional teams (Operations, Maintenance, Sales, Supply Chain etc.) 
• Development and maintenance of all food safety regulatory programs to meet FDA/USDA/State regulatory requirements
• Oversee employee training for Food safety and GMPs
• Responsible for disposition of all held product, with input from the Plant Manager and Director Quality (as needed)
• Act as a backup for Director of Quality
• Oversee product quality with regards to meeting the specifications, and identification of defects
• Leadership of Plant Laboratory
• Track, report, and review the Quality Performance Indicators on a regular basis to drive continuous improvement
• Manage cost of quality
• Conduct Effective Root Cause Analysis and implement corrective action and preventative action
• Direct management of quality assurance staff and testing laboratory
• Perform other duties, as assigned 

Qualifications and Skills

• BS Degree in Food Science, Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry or related field required
• 5-7 years in quality/manufacturing/sanitation management roles working in food manufacturing environments
• Equivalent combination of education and experience 
• Leadership skills
• Good communication skills to share ideas/technical information in an easy to understand way
• Basic data analysis skills (collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions)
• PCQI certified and SQF practitioner preferred, but not required
• Demonstrated initiative and desire to learn about the dairy industry
• Ability to ask questions and maintain accountability
• Be able to interact with employees at levels in the organization
• Shows interest to learn from and share the knowledge with other 

Essential Functions  and Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, handle, reach above the shoulders, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl. The employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 

Join us in maintaining the highest standards in the dairy industry! Apply now and become part of our dynamic MMPA team!

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the responsibilities. 

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of responsibilities that are required of the role. Responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

MMPA provides the opportunity for meaningful work that makes a difference in the dairy industry and in our communities. The diverse talents and perspectives of our employees help us to meet the needs of our member farms and the customers we serve.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. 

MMPA is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive environment for all employees as one of our top priorities. As part of our commitment to your well-being and workplace safety, all applicants are required to undergo a drug screening and background check as part of the hiring process. 

We are not accepting unsolicited candidate introductions, referrals, or résumés from third-party recruiters or staffing agencies for this position.

MMPA is an equal opportunity employer. 

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