Job Details

Description

OVERHILL FARMS INC.

JOB DESCRIPTION

CLASSIFICATION: Quality Systems Manager

EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/04/2025

REPORTS TO: VP of Quality Assurance & Food Safety

DEPARTMENT: Quality

EXEMPT/NON-EXEMPT: Exempt

Overhill Farms is a leading custom manufacturer of high quality prepared frozen foods, serving customers in the branded retail, private label and foodservice sectors. We provide a one-stop solution that offers new product development or precise replication of existing recipes as well as product manufacturing and packaging. Our custom product lines include poultry, meat and fish specialties, pastas, soups, sauces, certified organic and vegetarian offerings. These can be prepared as entrées, plated meals or bulk-packed meal components.

Overhill Farms: A custom manufacturer of high-quality frozen food products

POSITION SUMMARY

The Quality Systems Manager is responsible for leading the strategy, development, and execution of systems and processes that ensure compliance with regulatory and company standards related to ingredient and supplier qualification. This role oversees the administration and continuous improvement of documentation systems, supplier audits, and quality data platforms, including TraceGains. The Quality Systems Manager serves as a cross-functional leader, collaborating with internal teams and external suppliers to drive operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and supplier performance

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Strategic Oversight:

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of systems and processes for ingredient and supplier qualification to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.
• Direct the administration and maintenance of the TraceGains database and ensure its alignment with corporate food safety and regulatory compliance objectives.
• Serve as the subject matter expert on supplier and ingredient documentation, qualification protocols, and food safety regulations (FSMA, FDA, etc.).
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and direction to cross-functional teams and junior staff supporting quality systems initiatives.
• Foster strong collaboration with Co-manufacturers as well as Foodservice Quality, Procurement, and R&D teams to promptly investigate and resolve noncompliance issues.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner with R&D, Commercialization, Purchasing, Packaging Engineering, and Operations to ensure consistent, efficient, and compliant execution of new product commercialization.
• Collaborate with Regulatory and Procurement teams to manage ingredient and raw material change control, ensuring proper documentation and timely execution.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to ensure timely and accurate compliance documentation and certification submissions.

Supplier & Ingredient Compliance:

• Oversee the qualification and ongoing compliance monitoring of suppliers, including review of food safety audits, certifications (HACCP, GFSI), insurance, and documentation.
• Lead the development, execution, and follow-up of Supplier Corrective Action Reports (SCARs) to drive performance improvement.
• Manage the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) for imported materials, ensuring adherence to FSMA regulations.

System Management & Data Integrity:

• Manage quality and supplier databases, including monthly audits and updates for customer-specific portals (e.g., SpecConnect, Resprotrak, TraceGains, FoodLogiQ).
• Lead quarterly audits of the approved supplier and ingredient lists across business units and report key findings to senior leadership.
• Ensure accurate setup, ongoing maintenance of raw material specifications, and receiving worksheets within SAP and other systems.

Audit & Performance Monitoring:

• Conduct and oversee supplier audits, with emphasis on high-risk and high-spend suppliers.
• Develop and report key performance indicators (KPIs) for supplier and ingredient quality, presenting results in weekly quality team meetings.
• Lead investigations of raw material non-conformance issues and coordinate resolution with internal teams and suppliers.

Change Management & Documentation Control:

• Develop and manage formalized change control processes for supplier and ingredient modifications.
• Ensure robust document control processes using the five-step framework: Request, Review, Assess, Decide, and Implement.
• Maintain comprehensive records in compliance with internal policies and external regulatory requirements.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Provide support for ingredient shelf-life evaluations in collaboration with Quality and Operations.
• Proactively review and challenge ingredient and supplier documents to ensure accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance.
• Represent the Quality department in cross-functional initiatives and projects as assigned by the Director of Quality.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Nutrition, or related field.
• 3+ years' experience working in a food manufacturing or quality systems and supplier qualification environment with at least 2 years in a leadership or managerial role.
• 3+ years' experience with regulatory compliance and process requirements, including FSMA, USDA-FSIS, FDA, CFIA, PCQI, SQF, and HACCP.
• Knowledgeable of quality systems software such as TraceGains, SAP, or other ERP systems.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, lead cross-functional teams, and communicate effectively at all organizational levels.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access and navigate the department at the organization's facilities.
• Physical Attendance is required - Remote is not optional.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities