Title: Quality Assurance Manager
Position Location: Hybrid, must live within 2hr drive of Allentown, PA
Reports to: Director of Co-Manufacturing & Quality
About the Company
Located in Seattle Washington, Skinny Dipped was founded by a mom and daughter and her two best friends after realizing that nothing is more important than time spent with the ones you love. Starting out of their Seattle kitchen, the four women created Skinny Dipped: thinly dipped chocolate almonds that are exceptionally good-for-you and ridiculously delicious. The company is proud to remain a women-led business driven by the belief that healthy snacking should make both you and your body happy.
Our Mission
We craft snacks that nourish your body and your spirit. We believe everyone deserves to eat the kind of delicious, nutritious and clean food we’re fortunate enough to share with our own families and friends. As a women-founded company, we are committed to raising up and supporting women and the children they care for in both our local communities and around the globe. Because no one, especially a child, deserves to go without love or food.
Position Description
The Food Quality Assurance Manager supports efforts to safeguard SkinnyDipped brand integrity by maintaining and implementing diligent controls over established safety and quality programs. A significant portion of this role will involve direct oversight of and collaboration with SkinnyDipped contract manufacturers in an on-site capacity. This Quality Professional will emulate an attitude of continuous improvement and have a high level of both verbal and written communication to ensure that policies, procedures and instructions are in place, understood and acted upon to meet best in industry standards. Research and use company resources to understand and advise on regulatory rules and laws pertaining to industry and SkinnyDipped products.
Position Responsibilities
- Oversight and ownership of quality elements at co-manufacturing sites encompassing all facets of the manufacturing process.
- First line of defense and main co-man contact for quality-related issues. This may entail travel to testing facilities domestically or internationally.
- Set and enforce benchmarks concerning product non-conformances, including clear pass/fail criteria.
- Communicate with management and production employees at co-manufacturers to ensure adherence to SkinnyDipped specifications and procedures; contribute to resolving unexpected issues.
- Consolidate and analyze production records as needed to confirm compliance to SkinnyDipped specifications and manufacturing procedures.
- Establish and report co-manufacturer quality KPIs internally to SkinnyDipped team, and externally to the co-manufacturer during routine quality meetings.
- Develop and maintain a product non-conformance report. Trend and report on the information gathered to aid in continuous improvement activities.
- Collaborate with Supply Chain to manage disposition and handling of non-conforming materials.
- Ongoing improvement and maintenance of company Quality Systems Manual inclusive of policies and programs protecting SkinnyDipped products, brand integrity, and future business opportunities.
- Oversee the Supplier Approval Program for ingredient and material suppliers. Collaborate internally and externally to obtain required documentation in support of the program; maintain records of supplier approval.
- Maintain quality documentation including customer-facing information requested by Sales Team. Support Sales Team as necessary via customer portal inputs.
- Manage all third-party certification programs such as Fair Trade, nonGMO, Kosher, etc.
- Update and maintain all company packaging specifications for co-manufacturers.
- Create and maintain internal retain program and ensure easy access to retained product should quality references be needed.
- Conduct regular sensory evaluations for existing products with founders/sensory panel, including ongoing shelf-life tastings to ensure strict sensory attributes of products are maintained
- Lead shelf-life testing for new products in innovation & renovation.
- Support Marketing with customer complaint handling, including follow up and investigation to promptly determine root cause and report findings as needed.
- Understand lot code access systems (including external systems) to trace product and follow written process to place product on hold.
- Participate in meetings required to maintain adherence to stated procedures and policies dealing with food safety and quality.
- Stay abreast of new or changed regulations and litigation trends that could or will impact our current or innovation product line(s).
- Participate in product launch meetings to ensure quality requirements of new products are upheld, and facilitate a smooth transition to finshed good status.
- Partner with Supply Chain to proactively monitor quality involvement in day to day SkinnyDipped operations
- Stay informed of production schedules at all co-mans
Education and Experience
- BA/BS required, MS a plus
- Food Science or related science degree
- Experience working for large CPG brand as well as challenger brand
- Ability to work independently with accountability of time
- HACCP certified
- PCQI certified a plus
- BRC/SQF Practitioner or equivalent a plus
- Strong sensory evaluation skills and a passion for food
- Strong PC skills including MS Office
- Experience working cross functionally
- Strong analytical skills and ability to understand manufacturing data
Compensation and Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Annual performance bonus
- Equity opportunity
- Excellent medical/dental/vision benefits
- Additional benefits including wellness & technology stipends and paid time off to volunteer
- A fun, entrepreneurial atmosphere and positive culture