Manager Quality & EHS (KNG/BOZ/WIS/HLB)

Job Purpose / Job context

• This role is leading in achieving optimal quality of processes and products by assuring compliance with the (inter)national standards, regulations, LW/M’s policies regarding (food& feed) safety, health, sanitation and product quality.

• This role is leading in developing, optimizing and monitoring the quality management system (QMS) with attention for product and process quality (ISO), food safety (HACCP) in order to meet the requirements of certificates and customer standards/wishes

• This role contributes to the overall plant results by formulating short and medium term quality objectives in a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) as well as translating general quality policies, standards and requirements to the manufacturing processes by specifying targets, objectives and procedures. The QA manager is part of the plant’s management team.

• To this effect, manage all the QA functions, either directly or indirectly.

Key Result Areas

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

KPI’s

QIP development

• Formulate QIP based on the plant’s annual quality spearheads with objectives, issues, targets, organisation, staffing and budget

• After approval of plan and budget, implement and monitor the quality policies, procedures and systems

• Contribute as a member of the plant’s management team to the plant’s strategy and objective setting

• Contribute to the LW/M’s quality management meetings in order to adjust policy, procedures and exchange best practices

• Quality of plan and budget

• In line with LW/M’s standards, best practices and local/ legal requirements

• Effectiveness of membership Quality assurance & QMS

• Translate the approved plan and budget into quality targets and objectives, develop and implement plans to assure achievement of established QA objectives (complaints reduction, cost reduction, etc.)

• Lead the production manager and plant engineer in translating quality targets and objectives to the production- and M&R-processes

• Initiate the development/optimization, implementation and control of the plant’s quality management systems

• Ensure required equipment, material and test methods inside the laboratory

• Manage the QA organisation to achieve a safe, effective, efficient operation and ensure the targets are met in line with the QA plan

• Control and monitor if the production process is compliant with the quality standards and satisfying the specifications

• Manage the preparation, guidance and follow-up of internal and external audits by controlling authorities or visitors

• Plant’s quality targets are met (inside production, M&R, etc.)

• Efficiency, effectiveness and quality of QA process

• Formulated QA KPI’s are met (cost, budget, quality, waste, productivity, etc.)

• QMS in accordance with ISO standards

• Calibration status of equipment/methods

• Audit results

Human resources & leadership

• Ensure an effective organizational structure and staffing within the QA team in order to meet current and future requirements

• Coach, develop and motivate employees in order to realize optimal functioning and talent development

• Ensure a positive culture and uphold, safeguard and promote LW/M’s values

• Effectiveness and efficiency of organization and staffing

• Successful training programs

• Employee satisfaction

• Positive culture

Complaints & continuous improvement

• Analyse and settle customer complaints in cooperation with corporate QA

• Initiate continuous (or project) improvement plans by researching structural complaints, audit results, quality-related bottlenecks (QMS, equipment, etc.) and analysing data, statistics and KPI’s

• Develop QA investment proposals for approval, after approval further initiating and developing of improvements/projects (in cooperation with other disciplines or plants)

• Contribute to the go/no go of (investment) proposals from production, M&R or other disciplines with regard to quality and food safety

• Execute QA improvements/projects in order to improve quality of processes, systems, costs, etc. and take appropriate corrective actions

• Evaluate implemented improvements/projects by monitoring and reviewing various data/statistics

• Complaints are properly settled

• Focus on structural complaints and audit results

• Up-to-date QMS

• QA plans and investment proposals are accepted

• Focus on quality and food safety of innovations/ improvements is guaranteed

• Effectiveness of realized improvement (KPI’s are met)

Food & Feed safety, Quality, Health & safety, sanitation

• Drive the plant’s permanent focus on quality, food & feed safety Health, personal safety and sanitation

• Ensure product quality, (food & feed) safety, and sanitation/hygiene meets the required standards, also by setting conditions, implementing procedures and work instructions as well as monitoring audits

• Safeguard full compliance of the QA team with standards, requirements and work instructions on health & safety, food safety and as well as relevant quality procedures (HACCP, ISO, GMP)

• Point of contact for customers and external authorities with regard to quality and food & feed safety

• Responsible for tag process of any stock which is not food or feed safe, compliant to authenticity/integrity (Brand Protection) requirements (i.e. potential food or feed fraud) and/or any claims. These can only be released following risk assessment and on instruction from QA Manager.

• Responsible for initiating any necessary food & feed defence training and communication in conjunction with HR/Training.

• Contribute to LW/M’s or the plant’s overall policy in areas as (food & feed ) safety, health and personal safety

• Plant focus

• Required standards are met

• Relevant procedures and work instructions

• Level of compliance

• Effectiveness of contribution

Reporting

• Ensure periodic reports on the QA performance and complaints, customer interactions, report particular details and incidents to the Plant Manager

• Provide insight and justify causes of deviations with regard to objectives, standards, budget, etc.

• Timeliness, quality and accuracy of reports

• Clear insight in deviations

Quantitative information/ Scope of the job / Degree of supervision / Authorization levels

• Responsible for QA budget

• Responsible for 3 QA employees

• Responsible for optimal Quality Assurance processes and food safety standards

• Collaborating with QA managers of other LW/M plants

Requirements:  education and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Quality Management, Food Technology, Process Technology or similar field

• A minimum of 5-10 years’ experience in a QA/QC environment in the food production/processing industry

• Excellent knowledge of relevant quality and food safety standards and regulations (ISO, HACCP, etc.) as well as quality management systems

• Experience with operations (department) management

• Fluent in English and in the local language (Dutch, English, German)

We offer you a challenging job in a dynamic and growing organization in the food industry. We challenge you to grow in the same way as our company, where development is key. We thrive in a culture defined by our values: Integrity, Teamwork, Inclusion, Drive for Results and Empowerment. As we say at Lamb Weston EMEA, when we see a potato, we see opportunities. What opportunities do you see?