Quality Systems Lead

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

Where will you work?

Our Rochester, MN location is part of our Applied Health and Nutrition Division and specializes in fermented ingredients for products related to the bio-science industry. Our team is proud of the work they do and have a focus on clean label or natural products ensuring freshness.

What will you do?

• Lead the sites Quality Management System programs, ensuring full compliance to customer, regulatory and company policies.
• Program Management – CGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice), Internal Audit Program, Food Safety Plans, VACCP, TACCP, Foreign Material Program, Management Review and Food safety Reviews, Hygienic Zoning; Food Defense; Intentional adulteration, Adverse Events and other programs required for Pharma and Food Quality Management System.
• Assists Quality Manager in leading, following and enforcing procedures and practices of the FSSC 22000 and ISO 9001 Systems. Leads implementation, maintenance and improvement of the FSSC 22000 and ISO 9001 systems.
• Lead and support any internal, external and customer audits.
• Ensure compliance to external accreditation including but not limited to: APHIS, Organic, Halal, Kosher, Non-GMO Project Verified.
• Update and continually manage the raw material risk assessment.
• Perform routine factory-based food safety and quality standards inspections and audits including (but not an exhaustive list): fabrication inspections, GMP, hygiene verification audits, foreign body inspections, layered confirmation audits, logging all non-conformances.
• Drive the resolution and close out of non-conformances.
• Ensure our site procedures and documentation are compliant with company and customer requirements.
• Build strong processes and procedures to ensure standards and expectations are clear to all operators and management.
• Perform the sites mock recalls in line with company and customer expectations, completing post mock recall reviews to continuously improve.
• Own and drive continuous improvement in the sites Quality Management System.
• Work closely cross-functionally to drive improvement within the manufacturing units.
• Deliver quality based training and refreshers to the production and management teams.
• Collaborate to cross-functional teams to embed Quality Culture.
• Participates on inter-departmental project teams.

What will you need to be successful?

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or related.
• Minimum 3 years of quality experience within a food manufacturing setting (experience with fermentation is a plus).
• Certifications in PCQI and HACCP.
• Knowledge and experience with quality management systems, GFSI audit standards, SSOPs, environmental hygiene programs, prerequisite programs, and HACCP.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and SAP (nice to have).
• Great organization and communication skills, capable of working in a fast paced environment and cross functional with several teams.

Compensation Data

The typical hiring range for this role is $73,758 to $108,755 annually and is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, location, etc. In addition to your pay, Kerry offers benefits such as a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and retirement contribution (all benefits and incentives are subject to eligibility requirements).