Associate Director, QA – Taste Elevation

• ​​Develop and enact quality system strategies to promote and enhance quality processes in BU manufacturing operations, including capital plans, facility improvements, product protection device recommendations, etc.  

• ​Develop goals and metrics to demonstrate progress as well as adherence to Factory Quality goals aligned to business goals (could include complaint reduction goals, Right First time percentages, etc.)  

• ​Attain and / or Sustain GFSI certification and QRMP progress for all BU factories  

• ​Assure that Factory incentive goals include Quality and Food Safety elements  

• ​Support new product, package or process development with appropriate Quality Assurance risk measurement tools (CQV, FMEA, etc.).  

• ​Support Brand Maintenance and Value Engineering activities with data analysis on Quality attributes  

• ​Root Cause investigation and Corrective Action responses for consumer or customer complaints  

• ​Proactively review regulatory environment and maintain positive working relationship with all governmental agencies, specifically to include USDA FSIS and FDA FSMA regulations.  

• ​Support Quality specifications, policies, data and documentation for all BU Factories  

• ​Support training needs for factory QA leaders and factory line workers in the areas of quality and food safety  

• ​Collaborate with I.T., Heinz US, R&D, Packaging, Consumer Relations, Operations and Logistics and any other functional partners  

• ​Collaborate with Global Quality Council members and committees, contributing to global policy review and quality systems review, decision making and development  

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​The ideal candidate will possess the following:  

• ​Knowledge of food manufacturing processes and packaging  

• ​Knowledge of the Business in regards to specifications, Quality Systems, users, intended purpose, etc.    

• ​Ability to work with cross-functional partners in effective problem-solving and solutions management  

• ​Leadership and Collaboration  

• ​Working Knowledge and experience in Statistics, SPC and data analysis  

• ​Ability to travel 35-40% to visit all BU company owned factories  

• ​Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, production methods, and coordination of  people and resources.  

• ​Reasonable knowledge of scientific techniques, raw materials, production processes, quality assurance, costs and techniques for maximizing the effectiveness of Quality and Food Safety Systems.  

• ​Extensive knowledge of Continuous Improvement Tools such as Six Sigma Green, Yellow or Black Belt or Lean certification for use in Quality, Product and Process Improvement. ​ 

Expected Experience & Required Skills 

• ​​​Minimum of a B.Sc. in Food Science or related sciences / technological field and minimum 5 years’ experience in a Food Related or Scientific Related field preferred.    

• ​Demonstrate ability to understand food manufacturing.  

• ​Demonstrate ability to problem solve and extensive use of Quality tools such as Six Sigma, Lean, Root Cause Analysis, etc.  

• ​Demonstrate ability to work with cross-functional groups within the organization  

• ​Demonstrate ability to recruit, manage and retain others effectively ​​ 

Work Environment & Schedule 

This position is considered a ​Field based environment; role requires frequent travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc.​ Additionally, this role requires ​flexible working schedule pending business needs. ​  

Physical Requirements   

Physical demands include but not limited to 

• ​​Occasional – activity or condition sustained up to 1/3 of working hours, upright stance, Sedentary – occasionally exerting 0-10 lbs. of force; limited movement from workstation for brief periods of time. ​ 

This job description is not designed to cover or contain all duties or responsibilities that are required of the role. Duties or responsibilities may change or be added with or without notice.