Food Safety and Quality Manager

IRCA is a leading international provider of semi-finished ingredients for the bakery, pastry and gelato markets, serving independent producers as well as large food manufacturers (e.g. CPG). Core products include chocolate, chocolate decorations, creams, pastry mixes, gelato ingredients, and other bakery / pastry ingredients.

The Company, established in 1919, and headquartered in Italy, was acquired by Advent International, the global Private Equity firm, in July 2022, and has a strong track record of growth over the last decade. Irca has made several acquisitions recently in the areas of candied fruits (Cesarin), pistachio ingredients (Anastasi) and Sweet ingredients in US and Europe, as well as expansion and growth of US facilities.

The business focuses on high value and specialty ingredients for the Food Manufacturers segment, with a portfolio that incorporates a range of products including sweet particulates, chocolate confections, baked inclusions, variegates and fruit purées.  Irca has 22 production facilities in Europe, US and Vietnam, with over 2400 employees serving 100+ countries. 

• Provide site leadership for food safety and quality in alignment with the Irca Group policies.
• Develop and maintain qualified personnel within the plant Quality department. This involves organizational development, personnel assessment, training, direction and motivation.
• Develop and maintain procedures which assure Food Safety and Quality, and service quality including ingredient and packaging control, product testing and clearance, product disposition system and rework control, GLP (Good Laboratory Practices), HACCP, weight control, manufacturing procedures, aged inventory policy and including systems and sanitation audits.
• Communicate and enforce Irca Group standards in the areas of ingredient and product standards, process specifications, formula compliance, sanitation/GMP/pest control, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and lead the plant Quality Improvement Program while partnering cross-functionally in quality and process improvement.
• Provide technical support and direction to the plant to address process improvements and customer complaint corrective actions, communicating effectively and leading root cause analysis.
• Investigate and introduce opportunities for new technology and efficiencies in the Quality function.

• Manage the plant Quality department within budget and utilize resources effectively to meet the needs of the business.
• Act as the primary technical liaison with customers, vendors and regulatory agencies being proactive and responsive.
• Manage the plant Quality Management System Program (SQF) on a continual basis.
• Provide Commercialization, product transfer, and ECOR support for product development.

• Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from four-year College or university; or four to ten years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. SQF certification preferred.
• Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations.
• Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents to continuously improve knowledge.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
• Must be able to manipulate a computer keyboard and telephone handset. Must be able to speak clearly and intelligibly on the telephone and in person. Must be able to read and assimilate information. Must be able to deal with multiple personalities and changing priorities.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities