JOB PURPOSE:
The Quality Manager has overall responsibility for managing site wide consumer safety and quality program implementation and continuous improvement. Following HACCP processes, Unilever Corporate policies, and Supply Chain Nutrition initiatives, the QA Manager oversees the site quality agenda and participates as a part of the site leadership team. The Quality Manager role works in supporting the Kilbourn site and reporting to the Head of Quality for Nutrition.
The QA Manager leads the Quality agenda with focuses on leading, defining, developing, preparing, operationalizing, integrating, facilitating, and coordinating the Quality policy, strategy, processes, Quality management system and standards. While ensuring harmonized implementation and integration for Quality in design, technology, supply, manufacture, and delivery across the Condiments Network.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- You’re a born leader: Your success will be based on the success of your team, the extended factory team, and the efforts they lead.
- You’re a dot connector: You will educate employees at all levels on Food Safety Programs, Regulatory requirements, and connect our programs to the everyday activities and actions of the team.
- You’re a changemaker: You will deliver new levels of Quality performance through continuous improvement, benchmarking globally and regionally.
- You’re a culture & change champion: You will inspire a culture where employees are passionate about the consumer experience and find ways to infuse quality and food safety into their work.
- Establish, lead, and deliver Quality systems for the site
- Act as the subject matter expert on decisions related to quality programs and processes
- Provide technical information/feedback related to product inquires or complaints
- Manage microbiological concerns.
- Ensure all products meet or surpass defined quality standards.
- Drive continuous improvement
- Collaborate with production departments on awareness and training
- Ensure good manufacturing practices are in place at all times; set example and champion Quality initiatives.
- Responsible for food safety programs
- Participate as part of site leadership team
- Hire, develop, and manage quality team
- Builds Quality talent (recruitment, coaching, training)
- Participates in developing, maintaining and implementing Quality learning frameworks, Quality skills dictionary and Job skill profiles
- Support regional and export markets to ensure quality standards and regulatory requirements are met
- Participates in developing and operationalizing of Unilever Quality strategy, governance, ways of working, organization model, resource levels, roles & responsibilities
- Supports ensuring consumer needs and expectations are linked into Unilever objectives
- Supports ensuring a balanced approach between satisfying customer needs and expectations and internal interests
- Provides expertise, leadership and support in Quality management and deep expertise areas for implementation of Quality standards, resolution of Quality issues across end-to-end SC
- Participates in defining relevant KPIs, building scorecards & reports for Quality KPIs, analyzing data and drawing insights to drive Quality improvement
- Participates in developing and deploying new approaches, processes and tools to “raise the ceiling” and develop future capability for Quality
- Participates in obtaining, maintaining and using insights from external benchmarks, assessment tools, standards, and knowledge about what other organizations are doing to manage Quality
- Participates in managing, advising and coordinating Quality Incident Management process (including recalls) using project management approaches, contacting with experts (SEAC), providing guidance on action resolution, and the reporting and replication of lessons learned
- Influences development and drives use of the Unilever quality improvement process and toolkit
- Provides Quality leadership to influence Quality culture through visibility and coaching of cross-functional leadership across the business
REQUIRED SKILLS:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or other applicable field required
- Must have a minimum of 5 years of supervisory/lead experience in manufacturing environment; food manufacturing preferred
- Ability to work with people from differing backgrounds collaboratively is required
- Must have a minimum of 5 years of quality assurance experience
- Demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities through experience in production, quality, or materials management is required
- Must have experience in WCM, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, or other continuous improvement program
- Strong communication skills with the ability to influence others through a matrixed environment is required
- Must have the ability to manage project and project teams from inception to completion including hitting deadlines and documenting progress
- Working knowledge of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and ability to drive improvements using the Loss Tree is required
- Familiarity with HAACP and other QA regulations preferred.
- Food manufacturing experience preferred.
Leadership
- You are an inclusive motivator of people. Your team deliver with real passion, growing and learning from each other whilst delivering quick wins.
- You are still responsible for your own results and as a manager, you also need to motivate others to deliver with passion, creating an inclusive and engaging climate around you. You can balance challenge with support and coaching. You understand the wider business context and you are emotionally intelligent enough to motivate people to deliver what is needed.
Pay: The pay range for this position is $103,000 to $154,400. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.
Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.
Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.
Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance
(including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
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At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.
Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.
For more information on your federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.
If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected]. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or another applicable field
- Minimum 5 years of supervisory or leadership experience in a manufacturing environment
- Minimum 5 years of quality assurance experience
- Experience in production, quality, or materials management
- Experience with WCM, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, or another continuous improvement program
- Strong communication and influencing skills in a matrixed environment
- Ability to manage projects and project teams from inception through completion
- Working knowledge of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and Loss Tree improvement methods
- Ability to collaborate with people from differing backgrounds
- Familiarity with HACCP and other quality assurance regulations
- Food manufacturing experience
Unilever Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Unilever and has not been reviewed or approved by Unilever.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, spanning medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and occupational health support alongside a 24/7 employee assistance program. Wellbeing offerings such as health checks, resilience tools, and counseling support the perceived depth of health-related benefits.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support includes a 401(k) match that reaches up to 5% of base salary, strengthening the overall value of the package. Share and savings options are also referenced as part of longer-term financial support beyond salary.
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Flexible Benefits — Benefits customization is enabled through tools such as a “My Reward” system and a “Benefits Envelope” that allows employees to personalize selections. Flexible working approaches are also associated with improved overall satisfaction, reinforcing perceived choice and adaptability in the total rewards offering.
Unilever Insights
What We Do
Be part of the world’s most successful, purpose-led business. Work with brands that are well-loved around the world, that improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow; and we believe in business as a force for good. Unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make this happen. Our brilliant business leaders and colleagues provide mentorship and inspiration, so you can be at your best. Our portfolio ranges from nutritionally balanced foods to indulgent ice creams, affordable soaps, luxurious shampoos and everyday household care products. We produce world-leading brands including Lipton, Knorr, Dove, Axe, Hellmann’s and Omo, alongside trusted local names and innovative-forward thinking brands like Ben & Jerry’s, The Dollar Shave Club and Dermalogica. Every individual here can bring their purpose to life through their work. Join us and you’ll be surrounded by inspiring leaders and supportive peers. Among them, you’ll channel your purpose, bring fresh ideas to the table, and simply be you. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you.









