Quality Assurance Manager - Indianapolis

FreshRealm - CONNECTING THROUGH MEALS

At FreshRealm we aspire to be THE fresh meal company. Fresh meals are our focus, and we are passionate about revolutionizing this rapidly growing category. 

FreshRealm develops, sources, commercializes, and assembles fresh meals. Fresh meals, including meal kits, ready-to-heat, and ready-to-cook offerings are 100% our focus. We partner with leading Grocery, Convenience, and Omni channel retailers to deliver the very best meals to their customers. Our success is measured by the success of our retail partners. Service, quality, and consistency are our obsession, and we take pride in every meal that our customers place on their shelves.

At FreshRealm, meals are more than a source of nutrition; they are our passion. Meals are th e heart of a timeless ritual of sitting down to connect with family, friends, and ourselves. We are proud to play a small part in the ritual of “connecting us through meals.”

If you are a leader looking to build the future of fresh meals, you are growth-minded and thrive in an entrepreneurial environment, or you are excited to work with the country’s largest retailers, go to market with the best in product quality, and work with industry leaders that care for each other and their communities, FreshRealm is the perfect fit for you.

OVERVIEW

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct daily and general audits of QA operational activities. Ensure QA continues to deliver and drive the highest standards possible. Serve as the key point of contact during pre-operational checks and day-to-day functions. Discuss inspection results with those responsible for products and recommend necessary corrective actions.
• Monitor quality equipment to ensure conformance to specifications
• Ensure products are inspected, tested, and measured for conformance to specifications and that raw materials, packaging, labels, and final products that do not meet acceptance criteria are removed.
• Manage HACCP and GMP Program to ensure hygiene and good manufacturing practices (GMP) are being followed. Provide technical support for cross-functional teams to ensure a high degree of compliance with company quality and safety policy.
• Work closely with onsite USDA inspector
• Establish, maintain and promote communication with all departments, levels of management, and external representatives as required. Offer mentoring, coaching, and support to new Team Leads, Supervisors, and Plant Managers.
• Make sure all necessary personnel are aware of upcoming inspections, tours, and visits and ensure necessary preparation is carried out. Be the first point of contact for all external quality audits and Government/State agencies.
• Liaise with the Commercialization department on ‘product trials’ to ensure all appropriate people, IT equipment, and materials are available and that the trial is run effectively
• Responsible for verifying, collating, and logging Key Performance Indicators (KPI) information and ensuring quality panel and testing is conducted regularly
• Effectively manage the labor resource within the given budgets/targets for the required output
• Respond to issues of discipline, grievance, and welfare within the guidelines laid out in the Company’s published policies and procedures
• Provide positive feedback to team members to help build confidence and provide constructive criticism to develop skills.
• Responsible for the highest level of health and safety for employees, agency employees, and the consumer. Required to report and complete ‘Accident/Incident’ forms and conduct any necessary investigation, taking measures to prevent additional problems or reoccurrence. Ensure  proper training and re-training is conducted as needed.
• Responsible for creating and modifying team member work schedules and approving time off as is appropriate
• Performs other duties as necessary

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE JOB

Skills and Requirements

• Minimum 5 years experience in the food industry, with 3 years of experience in a Quality Assurance environment
• Experience managing in a chilled, fresh food manufacturing business preferred 

Education 

• Advanced education in Food Science, Food Safety or Culinary Arts is preferred
• Certificates in HACCP, Food Science, Food Handling, Culinary Arts, or other related training or education

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Learning Agility - The willingness and ability to learn from experience, and subsequently apply that learning to perform successfully under new or first-time conditions
• Drive for Results - Can be counted on to deliver on what is required to advance the company, takes ownership of work from start to 100% finished work, and brings others along with focused intensity
• Functional Skills - Possesses top level relevant, usable, experience and knowledge with the ability to establish themself as the best performer in the industry, at their role and level

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may be required to perform other business duties as assigned.