Corporate Food Safety & Quality Manager

Bigelow Tea is the number one specialty tea company in the United States. We are a family-owned and operated business and a Certified B Corporation. Being a certified B Corp officially recognizes a commitment that has been part of the company’s DNA since it was founded over 75 years ago. Our purpose has always been about much more than making profits. We are committed to good citizenship, ethical business practices, accountability, transparency, protecting the environment, sustainability and supporting our communities. We pride ourselves in caring about each and every one of our employees. We have a long-term outlook and are constantly working to create an environment that inspires people to make positive contributions every day. Bigelow is currently looking for a select, talented individual, that shares our values, to join our growing team.

DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT

Drive business growth by developing innovative blends, exploring new technologies and improving manufacturing efficiencies while remaining critically focused on quality, safety, and healthy ingredients. Maintain long term relationships and identify alternate suppliers to ensure sustainable sourcing while balancing the financial needs of the business.

Summary

This role is responsible for our corporate Food Safety and Quality (FSQ) Management System ensuring continuous improvement in Food Safety & Quality requirements per GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) guidelines and all applicable regulatory requirements. The Corporate FSQ manager will collaborate with plant leadership and site FSQ leaders for the development, implementation, verification and validation, and continual improvement of our Food Safety and Quality system. The scope of this position includes assuring the Food Safety/Quality of raw materials, equipment, tea, finished products and products manufactured by co-packers. The Corporate Food Safety & Quality Manager is a passionate advocate for Bigelow products, ensuring our consumers can always enjoy our products with full confidence and satisfaction.

Job Description

STRATEGIC THINKING AND GOAL DEVELOPMENT

• Develops Lead corporate and site QA team members to build, implement, maintain, and drive improvement of food safety and quality programs.
  
  

FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

• Lead corporate and site FSQ team members to build, implement, maintain, and drive improvement of food safety and quality system that meets all Federal, State, and Local regulations and certification standards including SQF, Kosher, Organic, Fair Trade, Non-GMO Project.
• Provide leadership and technical support to site food safety and quality teams ensuring members have the tools and training needed to rigorously evaluate site food safety and quality programs. Ensure programs between sites are in alignment and reflective of both corporate policies and site-specific operations.
• Continually work to build and reinforce food safety culture at all levels of the organization. Collaborate with site leaders and site QA to bring initiatives to bolster food safety and quality awareness.
• Lead the Recall Program by serving as Recall Coordinator. Oversee annual review/update of the program and lead regular corporate mock recalls. Assure Mock Recalls (Plant & Corporate) are conducted 2x/year and gaps/improvement areas identified and addressed.
• Perform or oversee validation activities for process, allergen, and supplier preventive controls including ingredient or product testing and operational observation.
• Perform or oversee validation activities for sanitation preventive controls including development and maintenance of the Environmental Monitoring Program including regular review of swab locations and results to ensure personnel practices, maintenance, and sanitation activities control risk.
• Oversee all monitoring and food safety/quality audit reporting functions in the manufacturing operation.
  
  

QUALITY ASSURANCE

• Collaborate with colleagues in Manufacturing, R&D, Purchasing and Material/Tea/Ingredient Suppliers’ Quality functions to continually improve our capacity and capability to ensure product meets specifications, process control yields, scrap reduction and commercialization efficiency without compromising food safety.
• Oversee the operations of the QA (Magner) laboratory that tests and evaluates the quality and safety of inbound ingredients, every blend of tea and all startups from finished goods, ensuring that documented policies and procedures are reviewed, maintained, and followed by the laboratory staff.
• Lead investigation into root cause of major complaints. Track, analyze and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for quality, and team with manufacturing to set objectives and implement initiatives to drive corrective and preventive action to prevent recurrence.
• Track and analyze incidents of non-conforming materials. Lead and coordinate the investigation and resolution of quality concerns with suppliers. Provide input for regular supplier reviews in the areas of supplier food safety compliance and supplied material quality data.
  
  

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE & PRODUCT CERTIFICATIONS

• Ensure compliance with Federal, State and Local food safety regulations at all Bigelow facilities. Conduct assessments, including on-site audits, to verify compliance with regulatory and corporate standards at company-owned facilities as well as suppliers including co-manufacturers.
• Ensure compliance with Safe Quality Food (SQF) standards for food safety and quality. Work with site teams to assess and drive continuous improvement through program reviews, internal auditing, and training.
• Ensure compliance with product certification schemes including Organic, Non-GMO, Fair Trade, and Kosher.
• Maintain current knowledge of trends and changes affecting food safety and make recommendations for appropriate program changes to ensure compliance.
• Maintain current specifications, certifications, and Bigelow support documentation (Letters of Guarantee, Lot Code Policy, etc.). Support Sales and Customer Service by supplying needed food safety and quality documentation for domestic and international customers.
  
  

Product Development/Qualifications

• Assess new formulations ingredients, and materials for food safety risks, product compatibility and shelf-stability. Confirm alignment with existing food safety and quality plans or develop new plans to address risk.
• Provide input to ingredient and material specifications to ensure compatibility between quality attributes and manufacturing processes.
• Assess new suppliers for ability to deliver safe ingredients, materials, or products. Assessment may require onsite audit.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Manufacturing to safeguard products made on new equipment through review of installation, cleaning, and sanitation verification plans.
  
  

TEAM ALIGNMENT & DEVELOPMENT

• Oversee the development of Corporate FSQ team. Provide paths for learning and growth within a team by engaging team members in projects that include objectives outside their scope of work.
• Champion the education and training of personnel on Food Safety & Quality Management System practices and standards including HACCP, Internal Auditing, Root Cause Analysis, Statistical Process Control and Verification and Validation.
• Contribute to strategic planning, direction, and goal setting for the Tea Division.
  
  

Leadership Skills Required

• Understanding of industry standards of Food Safety and Quality.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management or public groups.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve issues in a timely manner gather and analyze information skillfully to formulate action plans and follow through to completion.
• Demonstrated Project Management experience as Project Leader and cross-functional team participant.
• Self-directed and possesses the maturity commensurate with being an effective leader.
• Ability to lead, train, motivate, coach, and develop individuals and teams.
• Broad business knowledge with the ability to think strategically beyond the immediate functional area.
• Excellent oral / written / interpersonal communication skills with the ability to influence others.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  
  

DIRECT REPORTING POSITIONS

• Analytical Lab Supervisor
• Regulatory Compliance Supervisor
• Food Safety and Quality Analyst
  
  

INDIRECT REPORTING POSITIONS

• Site FSQ Managers
  
  

Education And/Or Experience

• A. or B.S. in Food Science/relative discipline, M.S. preferred.
• 7-10 years’ experience leading Preventive Controls-based / Food Safety programs for a food and/or beverage manufacturer.
• Experience with multi-location preferred
  
  

Travel Requirements

30%-35% (Domestic and International)

Bigelow Tea is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Bigelow Tea does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.