Position Overview

 The successful Assistant Quality Assurance Manager is expected to develop, implement and coordinate the quality assurance program to prevent or eliminate defects in our products. Prairie Farms expects to contend for the highest inspection scores, product evaluation scores and overall plant operation awards. The Assistant QA Manager will work as an equal team member and help us obtain our goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Environmental Program- swabbing- CAPA- RCA
• Master Sanitation Program- RCA
• Site Contact for Ecolab Chemical Representative for SSOP validations 
• Supplier Approval Program- Collecting and maintaining Ingredient and Packaging 
  • Documents- Working with the Procurement Manager regarding Tracegrains
• Oversight of all equipment calibration certifications in the facility
• Editing and implementing new and existing SOPS
• Validate completion and effectiveness of all corrective actions, CAPA’s and RCA’s
• Ensure the plant programs comply with government regulations regarding quality control and coordinate activities related to visits from regulatory agencies and/or third-party auditors.
• Back up to the Operator Manual Management/ New Product Setup
• Back up to Consumer Complaints
• Assist QA Manager with additional tasks
• In the 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in science or at least five (5) years related work experience.
• Able to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistics, along with being able to work with formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc. 

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Ability to work without direct supervision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be able to follow and disseminate both written and verbal instructions. 
• Must be able to work well with and direct others in the completion of tasks essential to the performance of top-quality work and cleaning procedures. 
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. 
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite. 

Required Soft Skills:

• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality. 
• Coachable and willing to learn. 
• Ability to quickly learn the organization’s systems. 
• Proficient with, and enjoy detailed work. 

Competency

• Analytical skills for data interpretation.
• Strategic thinking to develop training plans and reports. 
• Strong communication skills for collaborating with various locations and personnel. 

Working Conditions

Perform any combination of the following tasks in dairy: 

• Perform organoliptic evaluations of products. (Taste, smell, see, feel…) 
• Must be able to lift 10lbs frequently and occasionally up to 50lbs. 
• Communicate effectively in both quiet and loud conditions. (Talk, hear, see…) 
• Work around and with cleaning solutions on a daily basis. 
• Work in a very humid and wet environment, in both cold and warm conditions. 
• Work around, monitor, oversee and scrub pipe fittings and machines with chemical solution. 
• Attach pipes and fittings to machines, using wrenches. (Hand to finger, Touch, Feel…) 
• Must climb, stoop, crawl, twist, turn and move objects above and below the head. 
• Walk continually to perform job functions. 

The successful Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for supervising all aspects of Quality Assurance. As such he or she will be required to work in varied environments, including hot, wet, cold and other. He or she will move throughout the plant and may be required to work outside as well. Will be required to travel and work on all shifts and all days of the week to ensure the quality of our product and facility. Must be able to work in both very hot (more than 100 degrees) and very cold (less than 20 degrees below zero) and in a very wet and humid environment for extended periods of time. 

Must keep work area safe and clean and work in a safe and efficient manner.

About Prairie Farms – “Farmer Owned. Locally Produced. Since 1938.”

We are a farmer-owned cooperative. This means we are owned and operated by over 800+ farm families who are critical members of society. They have selflessly taken on the tremendous task of producing nutritious, high-quality milk for a growing population, which requires being on the job 24/7, 365 days a year.

We have represented American agriculture since our founding in 1938. Many of our dairy farms are operated by several generations of family members with roots dating back to the 1800s. On average, each farm milks around 120 cows and everyone pitches in to keep them happy and healthy - which means around-the-clock care!

Our Mission:

• To produce dairy products of the highest quality
• To conduct our business with professional integrity
• To exceed expectations of our customers and consumers
• To support our communities in a positive, sustainable manner
• To deliver exceptional patronage to our network of farm families
• To simply “do right” for our farm families, employees, and communities

EEO Statement

Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.