Quality Assurance Manager - Auburn, United States - Cayuga Milk Ingredients, LLC

Description

Job Title: Quality Manager, Aseptic/ESL

Work Location: Auburn, NY: Onsite full-time. Relocation assistance is available.

Company Overview:

At Cayuga Milk Ingredients, we are committed to serving the global food and nutrition industry by delivering locally produced, high-quality dairy ingredients. As a farmer-owned company, we prioritize ethical practices, innovation, and product integrity from farm to consumer. Our culture emphasizes respect for animals, natural resources, and strong relationships with neighbors and customers.

What We Do:

Specializing in producing a range of dairy ingredients such as liquid cream, milk, protein concentrates, and powders, we source all our products from locally produced milk. Our offerings meet stringent quality standards, including Grade A certification, OU Kosher, Halal, and non-GM Project Verified Milk.

What Sets Us Apart:

Our farmer-members are dedicated to producing the highest quality milk while prioritizing animal welfare, sustainability, and traceability. With our state-of-the-art processing facility, we maintain strict standards, including 100% animal welfare compliance and sustainable practices. Our products rank among the cleanest globally, boasting low levels of contaminants such as nitrates, iodine, selenium, and chlorates.

We Are Growing:

As we continue to expand, we provide career opportunities across various fields, including production, operations, finance, quality, sales, customer service, and administration. With competitive pay, benefits, and a people-first philosophy, we invite individuals to join us in making a meaningful impact in the industry.

The Opportunity:

Position Summary

Cayuga Milk Ingredients is seeking an experienced (Aseptic/ESL) and dynamic Quality Manager to partner with operations in the start-up and development of our new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Auburn, NY. This role is a unique opportunity to drive the success of a cutting-edge plant from its inception. Reporting to the Sr. Director of Quality, responsibilities include:

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Regulatory and Quality Control

• Comply with all federal, state, and local regulatory, safety, industry, and environmental regulations through inspections, assessments, surveys, and program evaluations. Assess regulations and their impacts on the company and the operations.
• Develop and maintain professional and successful working relationships with external entities (e.g., FDA, New York Agriculture and Markets, Weights and Measures, USDA, OSHA).
• Develop and maintain documentation and certifications as required by SQF, FDA, New York State Agriculture and Markets, and Process Authority per Aseptic operations. Regulatory requirements per 21 CFR 110, 21 CFR 113, 21 CFR 120, and PMO.
• Develop and conduct validation processes as applicable to operations, identify deviations and areas of non-conformance, and assist in the resolution and correction.
• Adhere To customer quality requirements by measurement and assessment and products maintained to current specifications.
• Maintain Aseptic equipment calibrations and documentation.
• Document and communicate ECR and deviation reports to aseptic process authority.
• Analyze process quality data, measurements, and trends; develop and implement corrective action plans in conjunction with operations.
• Lead root cause analysis investigations. Recommend and implement control measures for identified risks.
• Coordinate and conduct inspections, assessments, surveys, and program evaluations to identify potential quality hazards. Conduct follow-up inspections, track risks, hazards, and discrepancies.
• Provide technical support to operations regarding manufacturing methods, process and equipment, and implementation of new products or process changes through advanced analysis and problem solving.
• Direct the Quality Assurance (QA) program that includes chemical, physical, organoleptic, bacteriological, and shelf-life analysis of finished product produced in the plant.
• Develop, maintain, and test traceability programs to track product flow from farm to customer.
• Assist in training of all plant personnel regarding good housekeeping, manufacturing procedures, allergen control, proper sanitation, product handling and other quality related requirements.
• Lead the plant's Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) & Safe Quality Food (SQF) teams.
• Collaborate with the Research and Development Department to ensure the safety and quality of all finished products. Good practices will include monitoring incoming ingredients via auditing, inspection, sampling and testing, processing, packaging, and sanitation procedures.
• Collaborate with the plant manager, plant engineer and key plant personnel to prevent & resolve quality problems.
• Maintain accurate and current product formulations and manufacturing protocols for all products manufactured at the facility.
• Manage the pest control programs within the company.
• Manage all quality programs required for international product shipments.
• Accept or reject finished products based on established standards. Communicate findings and make recommendations to management personnel.
• Oversee the pathogen environmental monitoring program.
• Establish key performance indicators for all quality related programs within the facility.
• Audit the plant sanitation programs, evaluate documentation, and maintain required records.
• Take point on establishing operational readiness from a quality perspective on the Aseptic/ESL operations.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• A minimum of 5 years of quality assurance experience.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Dairy Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or Food Engineering, preferred.
• Strong knowledge and experience in plant quality programs, regulatory compliance, food safety, labeling requirements and processing standards as applied to the dairy manufacturing industry.
• Practical knowledge of Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) mass spectrometry application and procedures, preferred.
• 1+ years of management experience
• Ability to work 12-hour shifts or other work schedules as determined by business needs, including overtime as required.
• Familiarity with operating standard lab equipment (i.e., pH meter, balances, and spectrophotometer), preferred.
• Prior experience with advanced analytical techniques (GC, HPLC) is ideal but not mandatory.
• Working knowledge of GMP, FDA, SQF and other regulatory requirements helpful.

Working Conditions: Majority of work is performed in the lab and on the production floor with extended periods of standing. Work involves exposure to temperature extremes, high noise levels, wetness, heights, dust, moving equipment, vibrations, and vapors.

Equipment Used: Personal protective equipment including, but not limited to safety glasses, steel-toed shoes, and hearing protection. Common laboratory equipment, including but not limited to, electronic balances, colorimeters, torque testers, autoclaves, fume hoods, pH meters, auto titrators, spectrophotometers, distillation equipment, density meters, turbidimeters, refractometers, water baths, calcium meters, stirrers, centrifuges, ovens, vacuum pumps, timers, micro colony counters, BacT/Alert equipment, ATP swabbing equipment, and incubators. In addition, personal computers with associated software and common office equipment are used.

Pay Transparency Disclaimer: The salary range for this position takes into account various factors influencing compensation determinations, such as skill sets, experience, training, licensure, certifications, and other organizational requirements. It is not customary at CMI for individuals to be hired at or near the upper limit of the range. Compensation decisions are contingent upon the specific details of each case. An approximate estimate of the current salary range is $97,000 to $163,000. Please note that these figures are provided for general guidance and may be subject to adjustment based on individual circumstances and organizational considerations.

Salary:

$97,000-$163,0000 annually

We take pride in being an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Our hiring decisions are solely based on qualifications, merit, and business requirements. We are committed to recruiting, employing, training, and promoting individuals without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic characteristics, or any other protected status. Our dedication to diversity and inclusion is a fundamental aspect of our workplace ethos.