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Form of workWhat does it take to create 1.7 BILLION cups of coffee a year?
Ask Cascade Coffee!
We are excited to announce that we are hiring an organized Manager of Active Quality Assurance and Food Safety with Food & Beverage Manufacturing experience!
For more than 40 years Cascade Coffee has been the premier specialty coffee contract manufacturer in the Pacific Northwest. Specializing in roasting, grinding, flavoring, and packaging coffee, catering to the world’s finest coffee brands worldwide. Cascade works behind the scenes to provide innovation, world-class coffee roasting, and a wide variety of packaging options to highlight their loyal customer’s brands.
Founded in 1977, the company operates from a 150,000 square foot manufacturing and roasting facility, more than 2 million pounds of green coffee storage facility, over 50 million pounds annually of coffee roasting capacity as well as multiple roasting lines, flavor mixing systems and 14 automated packaging lines.
SALARY RANGE (EXEMPT): $ 80,000 to $95,000; dependent upon experience
REPORTS TO: Director of Active Quality Assurance and Food Safety
Why Cascade?
We offer a unique blend of benefits for you and your family!
- Healthcare benefits | Multiple coverage levels of medical, dental, and vision plans.
- 401k Roth or Pre-Tax options | $1 for $1 match and once eligible to enroll, ZERO vesting period.
- Long Term Disability and life insurance | Company provides coverage for all employees.
- Voluntary Life, Disability, Accident & Critical Illness | Various insurance programs are offered to support your needs.
- Employee Assistance Program | To support you and your family’s overall wellbeing to achieve your best and most productive self.
- Sick and Vacation plans | Cascade understands the vital importance of a quality work/life balance.
- Pet insurance | Multiple coverage levels for whatever best suits your furry (or not so furry) friend.
- Cascade Cares | Exciting engagement programs each month
- Leadership Training | We invest in and dedicate time to training some of the best leaders in the industry.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Manager of Active Quality Assurance and Food Safety is an integral part of the quality team and will function as an internal and external auditor for the facility based on company requirements. Interface directly with the Director of Quality Assurance on all issues concerning Quality Assurance and compliance. Supervises the Quality Supervisor(s), Quality Control Technicians and Lead roles. Assesses compliance with quality standards and initiatives. This requires working closely with other departments on issues, product dispositions and investigations into root causes or deficiencies.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:
- Administer Cascade policies and procedures and carries out personnel objectives and programs within the AQAFS department.
- Oversees daily quality activities and compliance in the production plant.
- Responsible for leading, developing and implementing Food Safety Fundamentals and a plan per SQF requirements, and to oversee the integrity as well as compliance.
- Supports Cascade Coffee’s Food Safety Culture by adhering to all company policies and procedures and by following proper protocol when a Food Safety risk is identified.
- Leads department’s LEAN manufacturing practices and administers Cascade’s Sanitation Program through Nexcor KLEANZ.
- Responsible for implementing training programs for the organization to include: Quality, Coffee Knowledge, General Manufacturing Practices, Food Safety Fundamentals and SQF.
- Develop and documents standards in compliance with good manufacturing practices, government entities and production plans (e.g.: USDA, FDA, HACCP, SQF, Organic, Kosher etc.).
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory mandates and with General Safety Communication Program.
- Creates goals related to Quality as well as metrics to track those goals and develops and distributes monthly quality reports (and other reports as requested).
- Issues positive release of factory and coordinates with Production Managers on various quality issues.
- Performs internal and external audits related to production processes, quality and Food Safety, investigations and test procedures as needed to address quality related issues (special and common cause).
- Develop and implement action plans based on audit outcomes, key quality initiatives, etc. and deploy to team.
- Upholds and provides safe, high-quality, consistent products, and superior services that anticipate, meet or exceed the requirements of our customers.
- Performs investigation of all Quality Complaints as well as daily incidents and implements actions based on findings when applicable.
- Conducts daily plant inspections for any GMP/Product Protection violations.
- Assists production management in filling out all necessary QC paperwork.
- Performs sensory evaluation on raw materials and finished product.
- Troubleshoot and resolve quality issues utilizing quality tools (cause and effect, process mapping, statistical methods, etc.) with the goal of effective documented corrective actions.
- Regular reporting of measures that communicate process outputs relative to Quality metrics and customer requirements/specifications.
- Backs up SQF Practitioner and certified HAACP representative.
- Coordinate the testing of finished goods according to a regular/randomized schedule to aid Quality Assurance efforts.
- Assists Product Development in monitoring defined checks/tests for ensuring product conformance during developmental stage before positive release by providing resources and coordinating QA techs and QA Leads.
- Back-up the QA leads in performing quarterly water tests and environmental monitoring.
- Monitor defined checks/tests for ensuring product conformance before product is released out of site control (positive release)
- Upholds and provides safe, high-quality, consistent products, and superior services that anticipate, meet, or exceed the requirements of our customers.
- Performs any other duties/tasks that may be assigned on an as needed basis.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage, develop, and direct AQAFS Supervisors, Technicians as well as Leads, who are responsible for enforcing Good Manufacturing Practices and other quality-related policies to meet product quality standards.
- Supervises and supports AQAFS Leads in the Management of QA Hold area.
- Responsible for hiring, disciplining, motivating and dismissal of QA personnel, ensuring that the highest levels of performance are met.
- Carries out responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; monitoring performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.
- Maintains a hands-on approach to management and is present and available to employees
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- SQF practitioner and HACCP certified.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required.
- Minimum of 6 years practical industry experience and 4 years at a management level.
- Forklift certified (training and certification will be provided if necessary).
- Proficient in manufacturing software, Adobe and Microsoft Suite (e.g., Office 365, Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
- Experience with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), SQF Level 2 standards, Food Safety and Quality programs.
- Certified Food Defense coordinator (training provided by company if needed.)
- High degree of interpersonal, and communication skills (verbal and written) with teamwork and managerial abilities required.
- Experience with lean manufacturing and change management principles preferred.
- Must possess an ability to drive improvements and motivate employees to ensure that the highest levels of performance are met.
- Operational knowledge of computerized inventory systems, lab calibration and testing equipment, industry Quality Assurance tools, and metric tooling.
- Self-motivation, ability to work independently, and within a team environment with strong follow-up, organization and prioritization skills and excellent attention to detail is required.
- Ability to work under pressure (in an extremely fast paced environment), meet deadlines and make effective decisions.
WORK ENVIROMENT:
- This job is inside a corporate office in a clean, warm, and dry environment.
- This position may require work in a warehouse roasting facility that requires constant standing on concrete floors, exposed to loud equipment noise and subject to coffee dust strong odors.
- Personal protection equipment and other Good Manufacturing Practices are mandatory.
Cascade coffee is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We celebrate our differences because we believe diversity drives innovation and leads to sustainable success. We recruit, hire and promote our partners based on capability and performance, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
