Job Description
The Quality Programs Manager leads the design, alignment, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of enterprise quality programs across Kettle Cuisine sites. The role translates customer and product-quality expectations into practical, measurable systems; partners with site FSQ, Operations, Product Development, Procurement, and Technical Services; and strengthens consistency in quality outcomes and customer experience. This West-based, on-site role owns the corporate quality-program portfolio, not day-to-day plant quality execution.
Responsibilities:
- Maintain and harmonize site quality plans, controls, records, and measures; evaluate whether plans are effective, fit for purpose, and aligned across sites.
- Establish and review quality KPIs, including relevant measures for seal integrity, drain and net weights, proficiency testing, and training; identify opportunities to improve visibility and automate quality-system work.
- Lead the corporate complaint-program framework and quality-performance trending, including customer sentiment and product-quality performance over shelf life; partner with the Customer Quality Manager and Analyst on execution and insight.
- Develop and maintain a risk-based supplier quality approval and performance approach with Procurement and Technical Services, including audit planning and supplier scorecards, with coverage scaled to approved resources and risk.
- Review product and process changes for potential quality impacts, including impacts to storage, equipment, processing, texture, color, flavor, seals, labels, and complaints during the post-change period; engage early in change planning.
- Coordinate cross-site communication, implementation support, and corrective-action follow-through; define owners, evidence, and effectiveness checks for program improvements.
- Assess operational and system risk beyond audit results by integrating process data, customer and complaint trends, change signals, and site observations; prioritize preventive controls and verify whether actions reduce risk.
- Lead continuous-improvement work using structured problem solving to move from audit findings or KPI trends to root cause, practical solutions, implementation, and effectiveness checks.
- Partner with the Food Safety Programs Manager and site teams to develop leading indicators and assess food-safety and quality behaviors; document concrete examples of behaviors that support or undermine food-safety and quality outcomes and help design and evaluate a measured Behavioral Observational Study for Food Safety and Quality.
Qualifications (Education / Experience / Skills)
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Quality, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
- Five or more years of food-manufacturing quality or FSQ experience, including multi-site program work or cross-functional project leadership.
- Working knowledge of quality systems, customer specifications, complaint investigations, trend analysis, supplier quality, and change control.
- Experience using data and structured problem-solving to define corrective actions and verify results; strong written communication and stakeholder-management skills.
- Internal-auditor, HACCP, PCQI, or comparable food-safety/quality training preferred where relevant to assigned programs.
Success Measures
- Site quality plans are aligned, current, and supported by clear owners and records.
- Quality KPIs are defined consistently, reviewed routinely, and lead to documented action where performance is off target.
- Supplier, complaint, shelf-life, and change-management programs produce usable trend visibility and verified follow-through.
- Risk assessments, leading indicators, and system changes surface emerging quality or food-safety risks early and lead to verified, sustained preventive improvements.
- Behavior observations include concrete examples and inform cross-functional design and evaluation of a measured Behavioral Observational Study for Food Safety and Quality.
As a Leader Within the Kettle Cuisine Team, You Are Expected To
- Model and support Kettle Cuisine’s Core Values and safety culture.
- Develop individual team members and their careers.
- Create a culture of accountability and performance.
- Drive a focus on quality assurance and continuous improvement.
- Plan work, track results, and resolve issues.
Required Attributes
- Self-directed, with high integrity and sound judgment.
- Positive, collaborative, and able to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Organized and able to manage priorities, projects, and metrics in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills appropriate to the role.
- Willing to address difficult situations with patience and respect.
- Able to provide after-hours support for critical issues when required by the role.
- Enthusiastic about food and committed to safe, high-quality products.