Director of Quality Assurance and R&D

Rhino Foods Director of Technical Services

(Quality Assurance and Research & Development)

 

www.rhinofoods.com

 

At Rhino Foods, our purpose is to

impact the manner in which business is done.

 

Our principles are:

 

Finances  We emphasize long-term financial health

in order to invest in our employees, customers and community.

 

Employees  We establish relationships with our employees

and their families founded upon a climate of mutual trust

and respect within an environmental for listening and personal

expression. We provide a vehicle for our people to develop

and achieve their personal and professional aspirations.

 

Customers/Suppliers  We continually strive to delight

our customers and to partner with our suppliers,

building strong relationships that are aligned with

each other's long-term success.

 

Community  We commit time, energy and financial

resources to improve social and environmental conditions.

Our actions are intended to create a ripple effect of

caring and involvement that influence first ourselves

and then others.

 

Our vision is to be an innovative agile niche food manufacturer

recognized for our workplace practices. We are honest, quality driven

and knowledgeable. We strive to have a "can do" attitude and

to be proud of everything we do.

 

 

Job Summary:

The Director of Technical Services (Quality Assurance and Research & Development) is a member of the Rhino Foods' Management Team, reporting to the President. All Management Team members have shared responsibility for Rhino's long-term strategic plan and our annual Key Focus Areas. Functional responsibilities include Quality Assurance and Research & Development. Proven leadership abilities are critical - with a direct staff of seven, and the need to indirectly influence people at all levels inside and outside the company.

 

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

?  Plan, develop, organize and direct the implementation of Rhino Foods? Quality philosophy/vision. Responsible for providing the tools, staff support, and training required for on-the-floor quality control and sanitation during all hours of operation; provide QA resources and expertise throughout the company.

?  Evaluate, improve and maintain existing QA programs, including but not limited to: SPC, HACCP, Raw Ingredient Specification and Inspection, Finished Product Specification, Statistical Weight Control, Microbiological Testing, Sanitation and Environmental Testing, Product Restriction Program, Visual Product Standards, GMPs, Crisis Management and Vendor Certification; ensure compliance with Rhino and customer quality standards as well as Federal and State standards and regulations.  Continuously evaluate and improve QA systems to insure the highest quality product reaches the customer, focusing on problem prevention and eliminating crisis orientation.

?  Research, resolve, monitor and correct quality problems in a timely and effective fashion; diplomatically communicate with management, employees and customers, verbally and in writing, in a manner that gets results.  Deal with a variety of issues that may arise on a daily basis.

?  Develop, implement and maintain a system of quality audits that cover product safety, compliance to specifications and GMPs.  Consult, as needed, with Federal and State inspectors to ensure compliance with new and established standards and regulations.

?  Plan, implement, supervise, coordinate, monitor and evaluate all assigned research and development functions. Develop original, imaginative product/process ideas and concepts; research feasibility of new ideas; and keep abreast of relevant developments in the industry.  In collaboration with Sales and Marketing, represent the company to customers to discuss problems, new products and other technical-related topics.

?  In collaboration with senior company managers and other company staff, plan, implement and monitor existing product quality and manufacturing process improvements.  Compile and analyze data in support of process improvement; continuously evaluate products, process and ingredients for potential improvement in quality, manufacturability and reduced cost.

?  Plan, implement and monitor appropriate reporting and record keeping systems for all Technical Services functions; ensure proper policies, procedures, protocols and training in support of an A-1 level food manufacturing operation and in accordance with company goals, objectives as well as government regulations and general health and safety standards and principles.

?  Develop and implement departmental objectives and operating budget that support company and customer goals; direct the activities of the department to assure optimum services at minimum cost.

?  Provide leadership and direct supervision for QA and R&D staff (total of 7); confer regularly with staff to plan, coordinate and evaluate systems, projects and activities; assign and review work, resolve problems, assist with difficult or unusual tasks.  Evaluate and plan department staffing needs; hire and train staff.

?  Confer regularly with President, and other company managers and various company staff to plan, coordinate and evaluate goals and objectives, investigate and resolve problems, exchange information, etc.  Participate in various management, staff and committee meetings and play a key leadership role in assigned areas of responsibility.

?  Deal regularly with current and potential customers, suppliers and vendors, laboratories, governmental and other regulatory agencies regarding various product development and quality assurance matters.

?  May perform a variety of tasks which directly contribute to Rhino Foods but may not directly relate to the primary duties and responsibilities of the job (e.g., United Way Campaign Committee, Fun Committee member).

 

Qualifications:

?  Bachelors? degree in dairy or food science, food chemistry, or microbiology.  Seven to ten years experience in food processing industry, or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.

?  Broad base of knowledge and skills related to the food manufacturing industry, with focus on Quality Assurance or Research & Development. Strong working knowledge of statistical process control, GMPs, HACCP and design of experiments.

?  Minimum five years supervisory experience in food manufacturing.

?  Strong planning, administrative, organizational, personnel and time management skills; proven project management skills.

?  Excellent analytical skills. Strong written and verbal and presentation skills.

?  Physical ability to perform assigned job duties, e.g. lift 50 lbs., prolonged sitting or standing, bending, walking, etc.

?  Ability to represent the company to and deal effectively with current and potential customers, vendors and government agencies.

?  Strong interest and commitment to the Rhino purpose, principles and vision, and the management philosophy of the company.