Asst Quality Assurance Mgr (Dunkirk, NY) Posted 11/24/11 

Nestle Purina PetCare Company  

Relocation: If necessary, relocation assistance will be provided in accordance with Nestlé's relocation policy.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

1. Responsible for assuring compliance to NPPC regulatory guidelines and specifications to assure the food safety and high quality of pet foods manufactured at this location. Directly supervise personnel as appropriate.

2. Shared responsibilities with QA Manager and QA Team Leader to manage hold product, net weight compliance, complaint handling, and being an active part in achieving required certifications and audit ratings and continuous improvement.

3. Communicate effectively with entire facility to achieve desired results. Provide training on Quality systems.

4. Ensure the safety of our personnel.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Compliance and audits
1. Assure plant compliance to established standards (Corporate, state, federal, and industry). Accountable to see that all applicable government legislated requirements such as those from the EPA, FDA, USDA, OSHA, etc are adhered to in area of supervision.
2. Assist in leading/facilitating internal and external audits / visits.
3. Provide support for implementing, auditing, and maintaining all Nestlé Quality Programs on site. Be a leader of change. Work with all departments to execute successfully.

Product and Processing Changes
4. Assist in the coordination of all quality related actions (in-process, finished product, and formulation changes) for new product launches, factory tests, specification changes, or product improvement efforts to assure compliance to all policies/regulations, including traceability requirements, net weight compliance, HACCP, etc.
5. Active involvement in plant tests (internal and external) and new product launches and new packaging changes, not only with regard to formulation but achieving quality product. Requires coordination with plant personnel as well as R&D / TAG

Programs & Misc.
6. Assist in leadership in change control management, corrective actions, etc
7. Lead the effort in developing, implementing, managing the updates to necessary documentation/policies ' QMS, SOP, policies, forms, etc.
8. Take an active role in the recall management and bio-terrorism
9. Active involvement in capital / major mtc activity concepts, design and implementation to ensure adequate quality and sanitation levels from the design phase forward. Support the capital planning process.

Direct Reports
10. Manage personnel as assigned. Ensure adequate skill of personnel and provide cross-training to improve skills and provide flexibility in coverage.
11. Review job performance of direct reports and periodically review results with them in order to improve results. Identify and support the developmental needs of direct reports and provide training as indicated.
12. Monitor and act upon QA budget expenditures (personnel, systems, equipment, and supplies) in AOR on a monthly basis to ensure compliance to budget. Identify cost reduction opportunities and implement. Provide information pertinent to budget preparation and compliance to QA Manager.
13. Facilitate team meetings

Safety
14. Responsible to understand and actively support the plant safety program. Must assure the safety of personnel, protection of property, and conservation of plant resources in QA. Shall employ positive motivational techniques to promote employee participation and support for safety and property conservation.

Training
15. Oversee the training of new and existing QA employees on proper procedures and operation in the department.
16. Ensure QA related training is delivered to all employees with the support of department as appropriate
17. Develop & deliver a QA related new employee orientation program with support of department as appropriate.

Complaints
18. Assist QA manager in complaint analysis, reporting, communication, and reduction.

Continuous Improvement
19. Initiate formal continuous improvement strategies for quality-related opportunities within factory (FTQ, FQ, Complaints, NQS, etc)
Communication
20. Responsible for informing QA Manager of personnel, quality / operational incidents or developing situations. Function as the decision maker in the absence of the QA Manager.
21. Prepare and present data concerning quality as appropriate / requested to all levels of management. Daily interaction with plant management and QA to resolve plant quality problems and reduce plant waste.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assure appropriate steps throughout entire facility are taken with regard to non-conforming products. Monitor Hold products inventory to assure disposition and proper plant handling. Expedite processing of hold orders. Work with Team Leaders, Lab Analysts, and appropriate plant personnel to ensure that root causes are identified and systematic preventive / corrective actions are implemented and documented per policy.
2. Assist in the net weight management program as necessary.
3. Develop an understanding of operations, including general production processes, GMP practices, formulation, HACCP, and Bac-t procedures.
4. Be appropriately involved in GLOBE / SAP conversion preparation and implementation
5. Assist in audits of raw and packaging material vendors, as well as sister plants as appropriate.
6. Attend trainings and conferences as appropriate
7. Some travel will be required.
8. Required to be flexible in work time hours and have good attendance. 2nd and 3rd shift will be occasional requirements. Overtime required as appropriate to achieve results.
9. Be the QA Team Leader's back up, including formulation and lab management.
10. Required to train as back up for others in the department.
11. Assist fellow QA personnel as needed.
12. Assume and carry out managerial responsibilities in the absence of QA Mgr
13. Other activities as assigned or appropriate.
14. Safety Responsibilities:
a. Understand when and how to wear the appropriate personal protection (i.e., goggles when using compressed air).
b. Use proper lifting techniques.
c. Locate, read, and explain information contained on an MSDS for a hazardous material used on this job.
d. Understand dust explosion hazards.
e. Understand emergency evacuation routes and evacuation procedures.
f. Know & follow SafeStart Program.

15. Quality Assurance/Product Safety:
a. Adhere to all GMP requirements and quality programs.

16. Environmental Responsibilities:
a. Demonstrate knowledge of Environmental Goals/Aspects and Impacts as they relate to the position.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

EDUCATION:
B.A. /B.S. Degree (Technical major preferred; i.e. Food Science)

EXPERIENCE:
* Minimum of two years experience in a manufacturing environment
* Minimum of two years experience in a Quality or Food Safety related role

Please apply online at www.nestlepurinacareers.com 
The requisition number is nest-00022898.