Description We are a global leader in food & beverage ingredients. Pioneers at heart, we operate at the forefront of consumer trends to provide food & beverage manufacturers with products and ingredients that will delight their consumers. Making a positive impact on people and planet is all part of the delight. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable, and transparent supply. Supplying products and ingredients on a scale is just the start. We add value through our unique, complementary portfolio of natural, delicious, and nutritious products. With our fresh thinking, we help our customers unleash the sensory and functional attributes of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts, and spices so they can create naturally good food & beverage products that meet consumer expectations. And whoever we're with, whatever we're doing, we always make it real.
Position Summary
The Quality & Food Safety Manager - Food & Beverage Solutions (FB&S) is a critical member of the R&D/Innovation, Quality & Food Safety, and Operations organization. Reporting to the Regional Director, Quality Systems, the manager serves as the QFS subject matter expert (SME) throughout the stage-gate process, ensuring functional alignment from idea to launch, including prototype and sales samples development.
The QFS Manager F&BS manages multiple and diverse projects, interacting with cross functional teams, from project managers, product development, packaging and process engineering, contract manufacturing operations, commercial (sales & marketing), regional and global QFS, and other functional areas that enable successful go-to market execution.
The QFS Manager F&BS engages regulatory and legal support to ensure QFS criteria are accurately defined at earlier stages of the design, to comply with stipulated product requirements, customer specifications, third party (GFSI) and the company's QFS standards.
The ideal candidate is a team player, with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate verbal and written QFS matters within internal and external audiences.
Position Responsibilities
- Works in diverse projects with the product developers, co-manufacturing operations, regulatory, vendor QFS, procurement, and finance to drive the product and specification approval and compliance in accordance to stage gate responsibilities (RACI)
- Demonstrates strong organizational skills, team-working abilities, and technical knowledge in manufacturing QFS regulatory requirements.
- At initial stages of projects, is responsible for the technical hazard analysis of ingredients, processes, and new products, assessing food safety, food defence, food quality and food fraud risks.
- Builds a CSC food safety team to support innovation in manufacturing and packaging processes through technological advancements and continuous improvement initiatives.
- At the CSC level, implements QFS standards, i.e., document management, vendor QFS, environmental and allergen monitoring programs, verification of GLP, coordination activities with cleaning and sanitation contractors, integrated pest management and other contracted services to maintain hygienic conditions in the product development environment.
- Provides training and information on QFS and hygiene.
- Incoming Raw Materials and Ingredients, prepares and/ or reviews material specifications, verified risk profile based on its intended use, indicating if additional testing is needed. Enforces tech requirements on the spec as needed.
- When onboarding contract manufacturers, organizes internal and external QFS audits, including FSVP studies, maintaining the required documentation and reporting, confirming vendors and new products are compliance with industry regulations and company standards.
- With Contracted Manufacturers, collaborates in validation studies, coordinates QFS testing program and improving production processes and end products; performs QFS checks, develops and establish a process to provide certificate of analysis for finished goods.
- Actively supports the annual verifications and re-validations all Food Safety plans or when required due to project changes.
- Monitors the vendor's performance, assess complaints, tracks performance of co-manufacturers during product trials, ongoing commercial lot productions, managing non-conformities, root causes and investigations as required,
- Acts as the regional SME for implementing the Finished Spec Management Program and coordinates any request of revisions, adjustments, concessions, or spec deviations.
- Institutionalize process for the retirement of the specification, satisfying the regional standards for document management (control & retention) protocol within the company Document Management Platform.
Position Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required in Food Science, Food Safety, Microbiology, or related disciplines; Master's degree strongly desired.
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in R&D, Food Safety or Quality Assurance within the food industry required.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience within the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry required; ability to demonstrate a strong understanding of industry standards and regulatory requirements.
- Must have hands-on experience in Commercialization inclusive of, but not limited to, involvement in product launches, scaling production processes, and ensuring compliance with food safety and quality standards.
- The selected candidate should have an inquisitive nature, be open-minded, able to work independently and as part of a team, creative, personable, and assertive.
- Must be able to accurately write and review QFS standards, SOPs/SSOPs, specifications, reports and keep related system documentation current.
- Certified PCQI. Experience with managing QFS external audits and conducting internal audits against GFSI approved schemes.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% of the time is required to align with QFS product platform groups.
- A working knowledge of Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, and Power Point is required.
- Knowledge of SalesForce and Specright is a plus.
- Familiarity with ofi products, raw materials, process, and methods are an asset:
The pay for this role in the state of Illinois ranges from $112,000 - $140,000 and is based on the position responsibilites and geographic location. Actual pay within this range may be determined based on candidate's experience, qualifications, and/or other determining factors.
Additional components include but are not limited to:
Bonus: Eligible for a discretionary performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents
Benefits: Employees (and their eligible dependents) covered through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future.
Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial wellbeing lifestyle for our employees and their families. Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The selected candidate may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
ofi provides equality of opportunity for all persons with respect to hiring without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. All employment will be decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us for support at:
At ofi, we celebrate our diversity. Olam Americas Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.