About the Role

The Senior Manager, Quality Assurance reports directly to the Director of Quality Assurance & Quality Management Systems and is responsible for the integration of Quality with Supply Chain, Marketing, Sales, and R&D. Key areas of responsibility include the incorporation of food safety and product quality in all products from concept to commercialization and in-market performance, including customer and consumer complaint investigation. This role also supports the technical development and leadership of Quality Programs, and builds up the capabilities of the Product Quality and Field Quality teams.

Field Quality Responsibilities

• •Sanitary design reviews, equipment process evaluations, engineering-led installations, and FATs
• •Implement high-impact improvements across co-manufacturers and warehouses
• •Create technical scorecards and integrate engineering requirements into the Quality system
• •Strategic site assessments of Suppliers including Warehouses, Contract Manufacturing, and Material Suppliers

Product Quality Responsibilities

• •Incorporate food safety and product quality in all products from concept to commercialization and in-market performance
• •Investigate product conformance and customer complaint issues
• •Support technical development and leadership of Food Safety and Quality Programs

What You Will Do

• •Lead, coach, and develop the Product Quality and Field Quality team
• •Deploy Field Quality resources with a focus on reviews of Supplier facilities
• •Manage food safety and quality risks, gaps, and opportunities for new and current products, processes, and systems
• •Ensure that OUAF and Contract Manufacturer Quality Policies are adhered to and monitored
• •Manage and deploy Quality Assurance programs across co-manufacturing partners and functional areas
• •Influence Operations leadership with quality best practices
• •Stay abreast of product quality through product reviews and quality assurance programs, working with R&D, Sales, and Marketing
• •Maintain strong partnerships with R&D, Marketing, Logistics, and Co-manufacturing operations to drive sustainable and reproducible product supply
• •Oversee and improve quality aspects of product launches by supporting the commercialization process
• •Guide product trials by establishing Process Baselines, Quality attributes, desirable ranges and targets, and ensure Process compliance and sustainability
• •Lead investigation of in-plant, distribution, customer, and consumer quality incidents, identifying root causes and facilitating corrective action
• •Manage the onboarding process of new co-manufacturing partners, products, equipment, packaging start-ups, and commissioning
• •Facilitate and drive implementation of the OUAF Quality Management System including documentation and performance measures for key Quality programs
• •Drive food safety and quality risk assessments, participate in planning and execution of required sampling programs, develop and refine product specifications
• •Define, track, and report Quality Key Performance Indicators and direct resources toward continuous improvement initiatives

What You Will Bring

• •Demonstrated skills influencing across the company with tough-mindedness, vision, and political savvy
• •Assertive yet collaborative working style
• •Minimum BS in Food Science or related Science degree
• •7+ years in the food industry, with preferred CPG experience
• •Prior leadership, managerial, or supervisory experience
• •PCQI and/or HACCP certification
• •Plant production experience and strong knowledge of product processing
• •Expert abilities and decision-making for Food Safety, Regulatory, and Quality challenges
• •Ability to manage multiple responsibilities with urgency via prioritization and program management skills
• •Ability to drive organizational alignment on Quality objectives with an enterprise-wide mindset
• •Record of leadership and demonstrated success in collaborative development, documentation, planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of quality systems
• •Knowledge of Quality Standards, Systems, and Quality Policies
• •Capable of influencing development steps in the Innovation and Commercialization process
• •Strong knowledge and general business acumen to support and influence Marketing and R&D
• •Capable of engaging business functions in the development and standardization of Quality manuals, policies, procedures, data templates, audit standards, and KPIs
• •Able to manage, coach, and develop people, talent, and skills
• •Strong business partnering and relationship management skills
• •Previous exposure to cross-functional work between sustainability and operations preferred
• •Knowledgeable in Statistical Process Control programs, Design of Experiments, and Process Capability studies
• •Solid knowledge of Microsoft Suite, Outlook, Slack, and other professional platforms
• •Up to 40% travel required
• •Must reside in the United States
• •Visa sponsorship is not available for this position

Compensation and Benefits

• •Anticipated salary range: $140,000 to $150,000
• •Full-Time, Salaried, Exempt
• •Annual Bonus
• •401(k) program with 4% company match after three months
• •New Hire Remote Life Stipend and annual Nourish and Nurture Allowance
• •Monthly Cell and Internet Stipend
• •Quarterly Farm-to-Fridge home deliveries and Employee Discounts
• •Up to 18 weeks of paid Parental Leave for new parents
• •Unlimited Paid Time Off
• •Paid Volunteer Time
• •Paid Time Off for civic responsibilities including jury duty and voting
• •Medical Insurance covered at 100% for the employee on select plans
• •Vision and Dental Insurance covered at 100% for employee and dependents
• •Life insurance
• •Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Accounts
• •Employee Assistance Program

About Once Upon a Farm

Once Upon a Farm is a purpose-driven brand on a mission to drive systemic improvement in childhood nutrition for a healthier, happier, and more equitable world. The company provides organic, crave-worthy snacks and meals for children of all ages, crafted with whole fruits and vegetables, cold-pressed or freshly frozen, with no added sugar and free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. The team is fully remote, collaborative, and united by a shared mission to make the world a better place through high-quality, nutritious products.