Title: Quality Assurance Manager – Co-Manufacturing
Location: Hybrid, Tri-state area preferred
Reports to: Director of Suppy Chain - Manufacturing
About the Company
Located in Seattle Washington, Skinny Dipped was founded by a mom and daughter and her two best friends after realizing that nothing is more important than time spent with the ones you love. Starting out of their Seattle kitchen, the four women created Skinny Dipped: thinly dipped chocolate almonds that are exceptionally good-for-you and ridiculously delicious. The company is proud to remain a women-led business driven by the belief that healthy snacking should make both you and your body happy.
Our Mission
We craft snacks that nourish your body and your spirit. We believe everyone deserves to eat the kind of delicious, nutritious and clean food we’re fortunate enough to share with our own families and friends. As a women-founded company, we are committed to raising up and supporting women and the children they care for in both our local communities and around the globe. Because no one, especially a child, deserves to go without love or food.
Position Description
The Product Quality Manager – Co-Manufacturing supports efforts to safeguard SkinnyDipped brand integrity by maintaining and implementing diligent controls over established quality programs. A significant portion of this role will involve direct oversight of and collaboration with SkinnyDipped contract manufacturers in an on-site capacity. This role will spend up to 60% on site at manufacturing facilities, and ~40% working from home. The Quality Professional will emulate an attitude of continuous improvement and have a high level of both verbal and written communication to ensure that policies, procedures and instructions are in place, understood and acted upon to meet best in industry standards. Research and use company resources to understand and advise on regulatory rules and laws pertaining to industry and SkinnyDipped products.
1. Co-Manufacturer Quality Oversight
- Oversight and ownership of quality elements at all co-manufacturing sites
- First line of defense and primary quality contact for co-manufacturers
- Travel to partner facilities (domestic and international) as required
- Communicate quality expectations, specifications, and procedures to co-mans
- Support co-manufacturers by monitoring product quality and providing feedback, collaborate on enforcement of best practices and adherence to specifications
- Lead routine quality meetings with co-manufacturers
- Stay informed of production schedules at all co-manufacturers
- Report performance metrics related to co-manuifacturer product quality internally
Responsibilities focused on day-to-day quality control at external manufacturing partners.
2. Product Conformance Management
- Set and enforce product non-conformance benchmarks and pass/fail criteria
- Develop, maintain, and trend non-conformance reports
- Analyze production records to confirm compliance
- Collaborate with Supply Chain on disposition of non-conforming material
- Investigate quality issues and unexpected events
- Support customer complaint investigations and root-cause analysis
- Maintain traceability and lot-code hold systems
Responsibilities related to identifying, documenting, and resolving product quality issues.
3. Quality Systems & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain and improve the Quality Systems Manual
- Maintain quality policies, programs, and procedures
- Trend quality data to support continuous improvement
- Monitor compliance to internal and external standards
- Analyze data and report on customer consumer complaints
Responsibilities that ensure a robust, auditable quality framework.
4. Supplier & Ingredient Quality Management
- Manage Supplier Approval Program
- Collect and maintain supplier documentation
- Approve and track ingredient and material suppliers
- Maintain records of supplier approval
Responsibilities that ensure upstream quality and compliance.
5. Certifications and Standards Management
- Manage third-party certifications (Non-GMO, Kosher, Fair Trade, etc.)
- Stay current on regulatory and litigation trends
- Ensure products and processes meet applicable regulations
Responsibilities ensuring products meet regulatory and certification requirements.
6. Documentation & Specification Control
- Maintain quality documentation, enforcing established document control procedures
- Support Sales with customer-facing documentation
- Manage customer portals
- Maintain packaging specifications for co-manufacturers
Responsibilities related to data integrity and external communication.
7. Sensory, Shelf-Life & Product Integrity
- Conduct sensory evaluations with founders and sensory panel
- Participate in shelf-life tastings and report on findings / trends
- Ensure sensory attributes are maintained over time
Responsibilities protecting brand quality and consumer experience.
8. New Product & Commercialization Support
- Participate in product launch meetings
- Ensure quality requirements for new products are met
- Support transition from development to finished goods
Responsibilities supporting product launches and innovation.
9. Cross-Functional Partnership
- Partner with Supply Chain on day-to-day quality involvement
- Collaborate with R&D on product formula changes, product commercialization effotrs, and product specification development
- Support Marketing with customer complaint handling and packaging changes
- Support Sales with quality documentation
Responsibilities that connect QA to the broader business.
Education and Experience
- BA/BS required, MS a plus
- Food Science or related science degree
- Experience working for large CPG brand as well as challenger brand
- Ability to work independently with accountability of time
- HACCP certified
- PCQI certified a plus
- BRC/SQF Practitioner or equivalent a plus
- Strong sensory evaluation skills and a passion for food
- Strong PC skills including MS Office
- Experience working cross functionally
- Strong analytical skills and ability to understand manufacturing data
Compensation and Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Annual performance bonus
- Equity opportunity
- Excellent medical/dental/vision benefits
- 401(k)
- Paid time off to volunteer
- Additional benefits including wellness & technology stipends
- A fun, entrepreneurial atmosphere and positive culture
A bit more about us
We’re a female-founded success story. This alone–regardless of the industry–requires true grit, mettle, and perseverance. It’s not easy out there! And, culture-wise, we operate with an ethos that any idea is plausible until it isn’t. A wild flavor mix prepared with an all new application? We’re trying it. Changing up a logistical step to improve taste (and keep things clean), even if it means significant investment and time? We’re doing it. We march to the beat of our own drum–you could say it’s prideful, but, more so, it’s that we operate with conviction and we do. not. hesitate. The world can be an intimidating place. But we’re not phased.
A bit more about us
We’re a female-founded success story. This alone–regardless of the industry–requires true grit, mettle, and perseverance. It’s not easy out there! And, culture-wise, we operate with an ethos that any idea is plausible until it isn’t. A wild flavor mix prepared with an all new application? We’re trying it. Changing up a logistical step to improve taste (and keep things clean), even if it means significant investment and time? We’re doing it. We march to the beat of our own drum–you could say it’s prideful, but, more so, it’s that we operate with conviction and we do. not. hesitate. The world can be an intimidating place. But we’re not phased.
Skills Required
- BA/BS required, MS a plus
- Food Science or related science degree
- Experience working for large CPG brand as well as challenger brand
- HACCP certified
- PCQI certified a plus
- BRC/SQF Practitioner or equivalent a plus
- Strong sensory evaluation skills and a passion for food
- Strong analytical skills and ability to understand manufacturing data
