Quality Systems Manager, Manufacturing

Who we are

Skjodt-Barrett is a world-class manufacturer of food solutions and custom ingredients for North America's most beloved and trusted brands. We take pride in working closely with our customers to understand their unique needs and create innovative, individualized solutions that deliver joy to their customers.

A family-founded company started over 35 years ago, we are backed by the investment company Axel Johnson Inc (AJI). With their investment and support, we are well-positioned to foster growth and explore new opportunities.

Our customers, blue-chip international brands and mid-sized producers alike, are why we exist. Our teams of innovators, communicators, and managers are the people who meet their needs, build trust, and exceed their expectations.

Who we need

Reporting to the Director of QA, we are hiring a Quality Systems Manager to join our team in Brampton. As the new Quality Systems Manager, you will ensure the highest quality standards, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency across our production sites in Brampton, Ontario, and Lebanon, Indiana. You will develop and implement quality policies, manage audits and inspections, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and collaborate with site QA teams to resolve quality issues effectively.

Who you are

A proven people and QA manager with food and beverage manufacturing experience. You are guided by integrity, the pursuit of perfection, and continuous improvement on the plant floor. You are motivated by the opportunity to implement change and willing to work to make it happen. You are driven by numbers and process and equally invested in spending time on the plant floor to see firsthand what’s happening and evaluate the team’s performance and process.

What you will do:

• Drive a culture of quality. You will champion a mindset where quality is everyone’s responsibility, holding yourself accountable for the success of quality standards and empowering the team to take ownership. You will establish and maintain centralized quality standards and documentation across both sites, ensuring alignment with regulatory compliance, the Quality Assurance Manual, and company policies. You will lead continuous improvement initiatives aimed at optimizing product quality and process efficiency.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and certification. You will act as the program owner for regulatory compliance, managing all certification processes, renewals, and execution at both sites. You will lead internal and external audits, guiding teams to ensure successful outcomes and adherence to regulatory requirements such as HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), GFIS (Global Food Safety Initiative) and Organic & Kosher certifications.
• Lead the Internal Audit Program. You will develop and manage an Internal Audit Program to assess compliance and drive quality improvements at both locations. You will identify areas for enhancement and implement corrective actions to ensure adherence to quality standards.
• Manage the Corrective Action Program. You will take ownership of the Corrective Action Program, identifying, resolving, and preventing quality issues with a proactive approach. You will utilize Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Corrective Action Preventative Action (CAPA) strategies to address quality concerns swiftly and effectively.
• Prioritize customer satisfaction. You will be the primary liaison for customer communications, handling requests with urgency and coordinating with teams across both sites to deliver timely and accurate responses. You will manage customer complaints and quality inquiries, providing solutions and reports.
• Accelerate speed to market. You will lead efforts to streamline processes and facilitate cross-departmental collaboration to ensure timely product launches and enhancements. You will drive initiatives that expedite quality approvals and regulatory clearances, ensuring products reach the market efficiently.
• Develop and manage the Heavy Metal Testing Program. You will establish a comprehensive testing program to meet regulatory requirements, analyzing products for risk and creating incoming material testing methodologies. You will formulate strategies that provide Skjodt-Barrett with a competitive advantage in heavy metal testing.
• Oversee database and documentation management. You will implement and maintain Management of Change (MOC) processes, ensuring the accuracy and consistency of the GRR Database and centralized product documentation. You will lead efforts to standardize documentation and support continuous updates across both sites. You will offer subject matter expertise in D365 (Microsoft Dynamics), supporting the quality team in utilizing the system effectively for quality management processes.
• Ensure supplier quality. You will uphold the Supplier Approval Program, evaluating supplier compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements. You will work closely with suppliers to address quality issues and ensure that materials meet the company’s specifications.
• Standardize metrics and foster continuous improvement. You will develop and implement standardized quality metrics across sites, using data-driven insights to identify improvement opportunities.

What you bring to the role:

• The education. You have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Science, Industrial Engineering or a related discipline. You have also completed HACCP training and have GFSI scheme training.
• The experience. You have extensive quality assurance experience in food and beverage manufacturing. You have direct experience implementing continuous improvement initiatives and leading the resulting change management to engage workers and ensure adoption. You have experience leading audits with customers on-site and implementing corrective actions.
• The technical knowledge. You have extensive experience overseeing and optimizing a Quality Management System (QMS) under GFSI and HACCP standards. You have experience in thermal processing techniques, including hot fill, sterilization or aseptic processing within the food and beverage manufacturing industry. You have deep knowledge of sanitation systems, techniques and procedures and pasteurization/post-pasteurization processes. You have worked with FDA requirements for acidified and acid foods.
• The project management expertise. You are driven and can take charge of a project from start to finish. You are decisive, meticulous, and proactive in responding to issues and requests for changes. You have the initiative to take action. Drawing on your industry knowledge and production experience, you can effectively guide project teams to deliver complex, cross-functional projects from end to end.

Why join?

We've got great taste. We care deeply about fostering a culture of transparency, responsibility, and integrity. It's what drives us to make great-tasting, convenient, and healthy ingredients and finished products that our customers depend on. With a focus on nurturing and growing our employees' careers and professional satisfaction, we believe in open communication, idea sharing, and knowledge building. Skjodt-Barrett is committed to building an inclusive culture that helps to create longevity, growth, and innovation in the food industry.

We are working towards a sustainable future. We believe that what's good for people and the planet is good for profit. It is everyone's responsibility to do their part. We recognize the growing need to prioritize sustainability in manufacturing, and we continue to take steps to evolve. We strive to accelerate the adoption of sustainable packaging and food products to be a responsible partner for our customers and for the greater good. We take our role as a supply chain partner to heart and adhere to a strict Supplier Code of Conduct to ensure that our vendors uphold the integrity and values we live by.

We believe actions speak louder than words. Every day, we come together to exceed the expectations of our customers, each other and ourselves, inspired by our values:

• We care. About family, honesty, and respect.
• We communicate. Across every level, often, effectively, and clearly.
• We Empower. With trust, integrity, and accountability.
• We Deliver. Every time, through teamwork, innovation, and results.

We support and care for our employees and their families.

Benefits and perks we offer include comprehensive health, dental, paramedical and long term disability.

Apply now.

At Skjodt-Barrett, we aim for diversity, equality, accessibility and inclusion in all of our operations and interactions. We welcome and appreciate candidates with a range of backgrounds and experiences. If you have 70% of the qualifications we are looking for and want to play an integral role in delivering innovative food product solutions, apply to express your interest.

What you can expect from our interview process:

1. A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor discussing your interest in the role and your experience.
2. An interview with the Director of QA and an HR Representative to discuss how your experience aligns with the needs of the role and the organization.
3. An on-site plant tour and a panel interview with the Plant Manager and 1-2 QA team members. This will be a chance to see firsthand the plant setup, understand current standards and discuss future plans.

Skjodt-Barrett welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Please let us know what accommodations you require across the selection process.