Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager

**Who We Are**:
We believe people should never settle for boring baked goods, ever.

Coco Bakery in Mississauga, ON started as a small store front shop with just five employees. In less than 10 years, we have grown to be North America’s largest manufacturer of French macarons and other European pastries. We offer private-label products to diverse clients, such as restaurants, caterers, and major grocery retailers across the continent and globally.

Our mission is to produce the finest pastries and provide our customers with uplifting, delicious products.

Coco Bakery is part of Bond Bakery Brands, a stakeholder-focused investment platform started by three friends, which include Pace Processing and Product Development, Holy Napoli, and Portofino Bakery. Together, we are building better bakeries.

**The Role**:
We are looking for a hightly motivated, talented leader to join our dynamic team as the **Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager**. As a key member of the facility management team, the FSQA Manager will be accountable for developing, managing, and renewing all facets of our food safety and quality processes. The incumbent will ensure our products meet and exceed the standards set forth by regulatory authorities and the Company, as well as provide an educative approach to all team members regarding all things food safety and quality. This role reports directly to the President. The FSQA Manager duties will include, but are not limited to:

- **Lead and manage the function of the Quality** department by maintaining, developing, updating, and ensuring consistent execution of QA programs (ie. GMP, BRC, HACCP) to align with internal and external requirements.
- With a **hands-on approach**, drive **continuous improvement** activities related to process, programs, and/or systems.
- Collaborate with other departments to bulid and foster a **strong food safety culture throughout the organization**.
- Perform **process checks throughout **the production, packaging, sanitation and warehouse functions of the Company including GMP, metal detection, label and coding verification, general hygiene and safety, as well as in-process and finished product weights.
- Manage and facilitate all **third-party audits** (BRC, HACCP, CFIA, or customer) with the ability to prepare/coach cross-functional managers before and during these audits.
- **Liaise with regulatory and government agencies** on all matters related to food safety and quality**.**
- **Review all incoming documentation** from suppliers, including but not limited to; vendor GFSI audit certificates and reports, ingredient specifications, allergen declarations, Kosher certificates, Letter of Guarantee and non-GMO/organic statements.
- Conduct and document daily facility inspections, monitor for adherence to GMP; **collaborate with the Operations team** to identify issues and determine methods to resolve.
- **Calibrate and verify** the metal detector machine function before and during production.
- Ensure **quality checks** are conducted and documented at all levels of production by sampling at beginning, middle, and end.
- Collect and submit samples for laboratory analysis; communicate results to all necessary parties.
- Participate in cross-functional **SOP development**, ensuring proper documentation is stored, updated and distributed accordingly; **train** appropriate personel on record keeping.
- Work closely with all other departments to **develop and execute quality improvement initiatives** and implementation of new products.
- **Review customer feedback**; investigate and respond to any complaints and/or inquires related to product quality.
- Prepare and present reporting and analysis to the Leadership team on the Company’s quality status.
- All other duties as assigned and required by the Company.

**Qualifications**:

- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related discipline.
- Minimum 3 yrs. full scope QA/QC management experience.
- Previous bakery industry experience is preferred, with a particular emphasis in a supervisory/managerial capacity.
- Strong and thorough understanding of GMP, BRC, HACCP, regulatory and food safety and regulations standards; certified in HACCP preferred.
- Proven ability to lead and coach others.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- High attention to detail, with strong organizational and presentation skills.
- Strong proficiency in MS Office and other systems.

**Inclusivity Statement**:
At Coco Bakery, we believe that diversity of experience, opinion and background is fundamental to our future growth. We believe success happens where new ideas can flourish - in an environment where people from various backgrounds can work productively together. Coco Bakery is committed to creating a diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin,