Quality Assurance (QA) Manager

The Quality Assurance Manager at Performance Pet Products holds a multifaceted role that includes ensuring product quality and safety standards are maintained in line with FSMA and HACCP requirements. This involves managing the QA team, providing resources for Plant Managers, investigating product complaints, and overseeing audits. They'll lead the continuous improvement strategy within the department, ensuring that all standards align with the company's values.

To qualify as a Quality Assurance Manager at Performance Pet Products, candidates should ideally possess a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Animal Science, or a related field, alongside 5+ years of experience in Quality Assurance within the food or meat processing industries. Supervisory experience and familiarity with industry standards like HACCP, GMPs, and USDA regulations are also essential.

Candidates looking to apply for the Quality Assurance Manager position at Performance Pet Products should ideally have over 5 years of QA experience in an industrial food processing environment, with a strong preference for those who have 2+ years in a supervisory role. Knowledge of SPC, Food Microbiology, and humane handling SOPs is also beneficial.

The Quality Assurance Manager at Performance Pet Products will typically work day shifts, however, the ability to work evenings or nights may be required depending on operational needs. The position may involve some travel, up to 30% annually, to engage with suppliers or oversee quality aspects at different locations.

As a Quality Assurance Manager at Performance Pet Products, you'll receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401K plan, life insurance, and paid holidays. We believe in rewarding our team for their hard work and dedication to creating high-quality pet food.

A strong response would detail your knowledge of regulations and practices such as HACCP, FSMA, and GMPs. Discuss how you would implement training for staff, conduct regular audits, and maintain documentation to ensure that all operations adhere to these standards.

Talk about a specific instance where you identified a gap in the QA process and outline the steps you took to improve it. Highlight your analytical skills, your approach to using data and feedback, and how you engaged your team in implementing the changes.

Mention tools such as Statistical Process Control (SPC) software and any data analysis systems you've previously employed. Emphasize how you leverage these tools to assess quality trends and make informed decisions.

Discuss your approach to systematically investigate complaints: gathering relevant data, involving the necessary team members, and establishing a clear protocol to address and resolve issues. Emphasize the importance of communication throughout the process.

Explain your philosophy on training and development. Describe how you tailor training sessions to meet the needs of your staff, use real-world scenarios, and encourage ongoing learning to keep everyone updated on compliance and best practices.

Describe the importance of building strong relationships with suppliers and how you communicate quality expectations clearly. Talk about how you audit suppliers and monitor their performance to ensure compliance with quality standards.

Reflect on current industry trends such as new regulations, advances in technology, or market demands. Discuss how you stay informed about these trends and your proactive approach to adapting quality processes accordingly.

Illustrate a past situation where you led your team through a crisis, detailing your communication strategies and decision-making process. Highlight how you navigated stress while ensuring team morale stayed high.

Discuss your auditing methods, such as scheduled internal audits, documenting findings, and implementing corrective actions. Talk about how you engage your team in the audit process and use it as a learning opportunity.

Share your passion for quality assurance, specifically in the context of improving food safety and product quality for pets. Talk about your commitment to enhancing consumer trust and how this drives your performance in the role.