Quality Assurance Manager

The Blount family has been in the food business since 1880. Our product Line includes refrigerated and frozen gourmet soups, side dishes and entrees for food service and retail. The Company, headquartered in Fall River, MA, is the largest producer of clam chowder in New England and the largest manufacturer of Lobster bisque in the country.

Implements and manages programs to maintain an acceptable level of product quality and safety as established by regulatory and customer requirements. Works to eliminate defects in new or existing products. Utilizes essential product quality and food safety procedures, as well as providing training in these procedures to quality and production staff. In the absence of this individual, the role of practitioner will be covered by the Director of Food Safety Quality Assurance. In event of absence position daily duties will be filled by another FSQA Manager or FSQA Supervisor.

**Other duties may be assigned.** * Serves as the SQF (Safe Quality Foods) Practitioner for specific facility * In the absence of the Primary Practitioner, the manager can complete the following: * Responsible for the validation of all food safety and quality programs. * Authorizes all changes to food safety programs prior to implementation. * Conducts periodic audits of Blount facilities to assure compliance with applicable procedures. * Administers and/or attends necessary meetings pertaining to food safety and product quality, including HACCP team meetings. * SQF Team Leader; Team responsible for maintaining existing and implementation of any new programs. * Manage any outside audits within facility. * Manage customer/consumer complaint analysis and communicates actions to customers as needed. * Manages product hold program, including making decisions regarding questionable product. * Manages a vendor/raw material rating program; ensuring only approved suppliers and raw materials are used. Providing Purchasing with detailed information on performance of specific suppliers or raw materials. * Ensures customer driven testing and requested reports are completed in a timely manner by the QA staff. * HACCP Program maintenance; including implementation of new HACCP plans for new product lines. * Serves as the primary liaison with regulatory officials. * Manages all daily responsibilities of the QA staff over two shifts, assuring that there are no lapses in coverage. * Trains all QA employees in their essential duties, as well as keeping them informed of any changes to the system. * Conducts investigation into root cause of customer complaints, and takes measures to prevent recurrence. * Generate and maintain reports related to FSQA.

* Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. **Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:** * H.A.C.C.P. Certification, SQF Practitioner Certification. This position requires a valid drivers license, pre-employment and annual screening of Motor Vehicle Record and personal automobile insurance coverage in accordance with the Blount Fine Foods Employee Handbook.