Title of the Role: Quality Assurance Co-Packer Manager

Short Description of Role: The Quality Assurance Co-Packer Manager will be responsible for ensuring that all vegan cheese products produced in partnership with our co-packers meet company and regulatory standards. This role is key in maintaining product quality, ensuring compliance with food safety protocols, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives in manufacturing processes.

Company Description:
Miyoko’s Creamery is a company redefining dairy products by making premium cheese and butter from plants rather than cows. Founded in 2014, Miyoko’s is a compassion-centric company working to reinvent the food system to create one based on not only environmental sustainability but to reduce or eliminate animal suffering. Miyoko’s Creamery has become one of the fastest-growing vegan dairy companies in retail channels, with a core fanbase of vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores who enjoy the irresistibly delicious flavors developed through natural processes, such as fermentation, to convert nuts, seeds, legumes, grains, and vegetables into cheese and butter.

Compensation:

$97,000.00 - $107,000.00 per year

Role Description:

Product Quality Monitoring: Oversee the production processes at co-packer facilities to ensure vegan cheese products meet quality specifications and standards. 

Monitor and manage consumer and customer complaint programs.  Escalate issues appropriately to the leadership team.  Provide weekly/monthly feedback to co-packers on product quality performance. 

Conduct regular sensory assessments of co-pack products.  Monitor products through shelf life and perform testing for shelf life optimization. 

Conduct reviews of COA’s for each production run and authorize product holds and releases. 

Inspection & Testing:  Conduct routine inspections and tests on raw materials, packaging, and finished products for quality assurance. 

Basic knowledge of lab testing methods and equipment.  May periodically perform benchtop testing (microbiological plating, pH, etc.). 

Compliance & Documentation:  Ensure adherence to food safety regulations (FDA, FSMA, HACCP, etc.) and company-specific guidelines. Maintain accurate and up-to-date quality documentation, including recipes, process flows, inspection reports, and corrective actions. 

Maintaining all product certifications (Organic, Kosher, Gluten Free) and all associated documentation.

Maintain records for suppliers and screen new and existing suppliers per the Supplier Approval Program. 

Maintain up-to-date records of co-packer quality and food safety programs.  Conduct regular reviews of programs. 

Complete customer document requests in a timely manner.  Manage all documents in customers’ food safety/quality portals. 

Maintain accurate and up-to-date specification sheets for all co-packed products. 

Review and ensure the accuracy of the Nutrition Facts Panel for all vegan cheese products. Verify that nutritional information aligns with product formulation and complies with FDA regulations and labeling guidelines.

Problem-Solving:  Identify and resolve quality issues at co-packer sites, implementing corrective and preventive actions as needed. 

Collaboration:  Work closely with co-packer teams, suppliers, and internal departments (R&D, Supply Chain, and Operations) to ensure seamless production and quality consistency. 

Actively participate in product commercialization through a food safety and quality lens.  

Continuous Improvement:  Participate in regular reviews of co-packer performance, implementing process improvements to enhance product quality and efficiency.  Provide regular feedback to co-pack facilities on process improvements.

Other Responsibilities: Adheres to safety programs to provide a safe and clean workplace for fellow employees within the regulations of all OSHA local, state, and federal regulations.

Ability to travel in car and airplane to event locations. Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications:

5+ years in quality assurance within the food manufacturing industry, preferably with experience in plant-based or dairy alternative products. 

Experience working with co-packers is a strong advantage. 

Knowledge of food safety regulations (FDA, HACCP, GMP, FSMA). 

Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills. 

Excellent communication and collaboration abilities. 

Ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team. 

Familiarity with product testing and laboratory protocols. 

Valid license to drive in the State of California and a clean driving record with regular access to transportation.

HACCP certification or other food safety certifications is a plus.

Location: North America

Country: United States

City: Petaluma, CA

Application Link: https://apply.appone.com/application/resume

Remote: Partially

Time Commitment: Full-time