Senior Manager - Quality (Brand Extension & NPD)

PROFILE OVERVIEW & JOB SUMMARY

The Quality Manager for Brand Extensions (No/Low Alcoholic Beverages, Water, RTDs, Mixers) with expertise in Cans and Microbial areas and New Product Development (Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic Beverages) is responsible for ensuring the highest quality standards across all stages of product development, introduction, and ongoing production. This role involves designing and implementing quality protocols, conducting assessments and audits, providing technical services and training, managing documentation, addressing customer feedback, and overseeing change control processes. The Quality Manager will collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with regulatory and quality requirements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Quality Assessments and Audits:

• Conduct pre-assessments, regular audits, and visits to allocated units in the region as per defined frequency.
• Ensure closure of GAPs and non-conformances (NCs) within agreed timelines.
• Must be SMEs in Cans manufacturing to perform risk assessment wrt TP facility, Equipment, Processes
• Must be experts in assessment of Microbial risk.

Quality Standards and Protocols:

• Develop and implement quality standards and protocols for new product development and introduction.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies.
• Conduct regular audits and assessments to maintain high-quality standards.
• Must be strong in GMP requirements.

Quality Planning:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain, to integrate quality requirements into product design and development.
• Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, and failure mode effects analysis (FMEA) to identify potential quality preventive measures.

Quality Control:

• Establish and oversee quality control processes for new products, including incoming material inspection, in-process quality checks, and final product testing with expertise in microbial testing.
• Develop and maintain quality documentation, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and quality control plans.
• Must be strong in GLP requirements.

Technical Services and Training:

• Provide technical services and training to manufacturing units on PRI protocols.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and requirements with expertise in Cans manufacturing.
• Develop and deliver training programs to educate employees and suppliers on quality standards, protocols, and best practices.

Documentation and Record Keeping:

• Maintain documents and records as per protocols.
• Must be strong in GDP documentation

Feedback and Continuous Improvement:

• Collect and analyze quality-related data to identify trends, root causes, and areas for improvement.
• Provide timely and constructive feedback to internal teams and external suppliers to address quality issues and enhance product performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to optimize product quality and reduce defects.

Change Control:

• Manage the change control process for new products, ensuring that all changes are properly documented, reviewed, and approved.
• Assess the impact of changes on product quality, regulatory compliance, and customer requirements.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to implement changes effectively and minimize disruptions.

Customer Queries and Feedback:

• Provide solutions to customer queries and manage consumer/customer feedback in coordination with QA & units.

Product Development and Validation:

• Coordinate product development, validation, and approval activities.

Operational Responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day production activities remotely to ensure quality standards are met.
• Guide unit executives to meet operational timelines and quality standards.
• Manage technical aspects of the Non-Alcoholic Beverage business to meet agreed timelines and business objectives.
• Ensure training and assistance to units to achieve business objectives.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory requirements, both internal and external.
• Ensure the closing of non-conformances and GAPs in meeting stated requirements.
• Ensure quality in the market and address customer complaints.

KPIs (Measures of Success for this role)

• Meet QSE targets set by the QSE head for business activities.
• Achieve business KPIs for all new start-ups/projects.
• Ensure zero non-compliances with regulatory requirements.
• Meet specified timelines as defined under various related SOPs and protocols.
• Achieve audit compliance scores concerning operational and QSE requirements

INTERACTIONS

INTERNALLY

• QSE Managers
• Product/Packaging Development Team
• Techno-Commercial and Manufacturing team
• Brand Extension Team
• Legal & Regulatory Team
• Supply Chain

EXTERNALLY:

• Third-Party Business Partners
• External Laboratories
• Ingredient/Packaging Material Suppliers
• Equipment Manufacturers

PROFILE DETAILS

QUALIFICATION

Essential Criteria

• Bachelors/ Master’s degree in food science/ Engineering
• Strong communication skills

Desirable Criteria

• Lead auditor in FSSC/ISO 22K/HACCP or any other FSMS.

EXPERIENCE:

Essential Criteria

• 15-20 years of experience in Food Safety, QA/QC
• Experience in handling and supervising technical/quality operations

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in development of various Packaging materials like glass, PET, closures, metal cans and labels
• Understanding of plant equipment like blowing machines, filling and capping machines will be an added advantage

PRI LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

Growth Mindset; Deliver through Collaboration; Bold & Agile

Consumer Centric; Open & Authentic; Grow Diverse Teams

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Mastery in Quality Control and Assurance with Microbial testing, Risk Management and Food Safety Management
• Regulatory Compliance and Safety Standards
• Working Knowledge in Project Management
• Expertise in Customer Service and Quality Orientation and Management
• Working knowledge of innovation
• MS Office, Digital Tools & Software proficiency
• Data Analysis and Technical Reporting
• Vendor/Supplier Coordination
• Basic Financial and Legal Acumen

BEHAVIORAL SKILLS

• Self-starter with high energy and confidence
• Attention to Detail
• Adaptability & Proactivity
• Time Management
• Problem Solving ability & aptitude
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Teamwork and Collaboration