Quality Assurance & Control Executive

The Quality Assurance and Control Executive is responsible for leading and maintaining a comprehensive quality system that ensures all feed produced at the mill is safe, consistent, and compliant with national legislation, international feed safety standards, and cooperative objectives. This role provides both direction and hands-on oversight across quality, food safety, compliance, and laboratory functions, safeguarding product integrity from raw material intake to final product distribution. Through robust processes, accurate labelling, full traceability, and continuous improvement, the Quality Assurance and Control Executive supports customer confidence, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Quality Management System (QMS) Leadership & Compliance: Develop, implement, and maintain the facility's Quality Management System (QMS), including SOPs and QA manuals. Ensure strict alignment with HACCP principles, GMP standards, ISO 9001/22000, and internal safety objectives.
• Regulatory Authority & Certification Oversight: Serve as the cooperative’s lead authority on safety laws, EU regulations, and industry standards. Oversee all internal and external audits, manage certification processes (e.g., HACCP, ISO), and ensure continuous audit readiness and timely resolution of non-conformities.
• Quality Control (QC) Protocols & Product Release: Set and approve quality control protocols for the entire process. Oversee the sampling and testing of raw materials, in-process product, and finished products, and exercise the final authority for product release to ensure full compliance.
• Operational CCPs and Contamination Control: Monitor and manage Critical Control Points (CCPs) across all production stages. Implement preventive measures to avoid cross-contamination and carry-over during production.
• Traceability, Investigations, and Recall Management: Maintain robust traceability systems for all raw materials and finished products. Lead investigations into customer complaints, product discrepancies, and contamination incidents, and ensure the facility is recall-ready at all times.
• Continuous Improvement and Corrective Actions (CAPA): Track production deviations and initiate Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA). Utilize statistical process control and data analytics to identify trends and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Training and Quality Culture: Deliver regular QA training (HACCP, safety, etc.) to all staff and foster a strong culture of quality and compliance across all departments.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the primary point of contact for regulatory bodies, certification agencies, customers, and suppliers on all quality matters, and manage the effective resolution of customer quality inquiries and complaints.

Requirements

• Strong grasp of milling operations, ingredient, and quality, alongside proficiency in QA/QC systems.
• Familiarity with standards like HACCP, GMP+, and ISO.
• Skilled in laboratory testing, statistical process control, and data analysis for informed decision-making.
• Ensures a high level of accuracy in documentation, testing, and compliance monitoring.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective work across departments and with stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead quality initiatives, manage audits, identify root causes, and mitigate risks.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant science discipline (e.g., Food Safety, Microbiology).
• Minimum 3 years in QA/QC within a relevant processing industry.
• Certification in HACCP or a related safety program.
• Proven experience managing audits, regulatory inspections, and quality control protocols.

Job Reference: DS549