Director of Quality

Do you love snacks? Are you looking to join an ever evolving and rapidly growing team? PIM Brands might just be exactly what you’re looking for!

At PIM, We Make The Brands You Love®. Our portfolio of products, from Welch’s® Fruit Snacks to Sun-Maid® Chocolate Raisins and Sour Jacks® Sour Candies are enjoyed by millions of consumers every day. And when it comes to careers, we seek talented, results-oriented individuals who want to play a part in building amazing brands and products while working in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-paced office environment. At PIM, you can make an immediate and lasting contribution to help grow iconic snack and confectionery brands, no matter your area of expertise.

We are looking for a Director of Quality interested in a career with a top-ranked and growing snack company, to join our QC department at PIM’s Somerset site in New Jersey. This position will report to our Chief R&D and Production officer.

Job Overview

• Direct and manage the Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), and Laboratory departments to ensure consistent adherence to meet the demands of a busy production environment without any process interruptions and 24/7 compliance with regulatory and organizational standards.
• Develop and communicate strategic direction for the department in anticipation of evolving FDA/GFSI regulatory requirements.
• Responsible for maintaining certification standards by updating and maintaining the Food Safety & Quality System by training, auditing, and maintenance of QA related documents, as well as reassessment and validation of policies and procedures. Additional responsibility is to ensure that all facilities are clean, sanitized and Food safety & Quality compliant.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Initiates, defines, implements, maintains and enforces manufacturing procedures, HACCP manual, GMP's and SOP's to continuously improve manufacturing quality, sanitation and safety
• Acts as the SQF Practitioner with responsibility to lead the development and implementation of food safety fundamentals and the food safety plan and food quality plan
• Acts as the Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) with responsibility to oversee or perform preparation of the Food Safety Plan, validation of the preventive controls, records review, reanalysis of the Food Safety Plan, and other activities as appropriate to the food
• Maintains current customer and regulatory quality system requirements
• Report food safety and quality issues to Plant management and SQF
• Follow PIM Brands GMP rules
• Monitor fellow employees for adherence to GMP’s
• Educate and instruct plant personnel in recommended equipment define the proper cleaning and sanitation/safety procedures and overall maintenance of equipment
• Assists with plant and production management on better operational procedures to improve overall efficiency and product yields
• Acts as the SQF Practitioner with responsibility to lead the development and implementation of food safety fundamentals and the food safety plan/food quality plan
• Oversees the development, implementation, review, maintenance and ensures the integrity of the SQF system
• Communicates all essential information to ensure the effective implementation and maintenance of the SQF system
• Responsible for all food safety, QA, QC training, and employee training, reviews, validates and verifies SQF system annually-Arrange GMP training for sanitation, safety, and on safe use of chemicals as appropriate.
• Assists production and QC with root cause assessments and corrective action processes to address product deviations
• Works closely with and provides coverage for QC Manager
• Assists R&D, QC and manufacturing with special projects
• Schedules, coordinates and leads customer, internal and governmental audits
• Conduct management meetings with manufacturing and department heads to review program organizational policies, to coordinate functions and operations between departments, and to establish responsibilities and procedures for attaining objectives in Quality, Sanitation and Safety.
• Work with purchasing manager to ensure vendor management program includes quality review for all suppliers, including review of new suppliers
• Validate effectiveness of SSOP’s
• Carry out all QC/QA directives as they pertain to plant cleaning and sanitation
• Ability to work additional hours as needed

Education, Experience and Training

• Bachelor's degree in biological science chemistry, microbiology, food science or manufacturing strongly preferred
• Master’s Degree preferred
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in QA/QC, food laboratory and/or food and beverage production required
• Experience in the implementation of SQF Level 2 or 3 Program
• HACCP and SQF Certified
• Food industry experience required
• Computer proficiency and skills in EXCEL, Word, Microsoft Office and other software programs
• Must possess excellent analytical, problem solving and organization skills
• Willing to be trained
• Ability to read, speak, and write English is essential, fluent in Spanish and/or English are preferred.

Worksite:

• The PIM Brands Manufacturing Site is located in Somerset, New Jersey 
• The PIM Brands Manufacturing Site is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 
• This position requires working onsite.  

Physical Demands:

Standing, walking, sitting, bending, reaching, kneeling and crouching.  Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools and controls.  Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated and considered to enable an individual to perform the essential job functions.

Work Environment:

Job will generally be performed in the manufacturing plant.  When on the plant floor it is representative of a large, busy manufacturing operation. Noisy, active, objects on the floor, constant movement and traffic flow of motorized equipment.  Hair net, beard net, assigned work uniform, protective eye wear and gloves are among the GMP required apparel that must be worn, if indicated, on the plant floor.

We are proud to offer:  

• Total compensation package including bonus, 401(k) plan match and other incentives (*based on eligibility and position) 
• Comprehensive benefits package - EFFECTIVE DAY 1, Including medical, dental, vision, disability, insurance plans and much more 
• Diverse range of benefit choices tailored to support you in making optimal decisions for yourself, your loved ones, and your preferred way of life 
• Personal time off, vacation time, floating days and observed holidays 
• Business casual dress 
• Entrepreneurial and innovative culture offering the opportunity for internal career advancement 

Awards & Accolades:  

• #10 Candy Company in North America 
• #26 Global Candy Company  
• Makers of Welch’s - #1 Fruit Snack in U.S. 
• 2024 Advocate of the Year Award  
• Recognized by NJBIA - State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility and in Research/Development 2024 
• Recognized by New Jersey Business Magazine 2024 
• Top 100 Privately Owned Company in the Metro NYC Market 
• Top 50 Employer in New Jersey 

PIM Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer 

PIM Brands is an e-Verify Employer 

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