FSQA Plant Manager (20 Month - Contract)

html Job Description

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun. We're on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2030, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights.

At Riverside, you'll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain – and yes, it will get rough. But that's what makes the journey worthwhile. So, lace up your boots and let's tackle the climb together. You can learn more about us at www.riversidenaturalfoods.com.

Purpose:

The position ensures successful operation of Riverside's Food Safety and Quality Management System, is a talented leader with strong coaching, people, and decision-making skills. They are PASSIONATE about Riverside's values and purpose, food safety, quality (delighting our consumers) and always lead with a continuous improvement mindset.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate and uphold Riverside's Core Values and purpose.
• Take OWNERSHIP of Riverside's Food Safety and Quality Management System of the plant that they are assigned to.
• Establish and maintain food safety and quality standards for processes and products.
• Establish and maintain records to measure and track quality performance.
• Contribute to the plant team to obtain the maximum (best) rating for all the external audits, like unannounced BRC, customer's audits, etc.
• Lead the voice of our consumers. Always looking for ways to facilitate and/or implement quality systems to provide the best consistent quality product that delights our consumers.
• Apply for and maintain regulatory and relevant industry certifications.
• Ensure that all regulatory, certification, and internal audits are successfully completed on a timely basis (CFIA, FDA, BRC, Gluten Free (GFCO), Kosher, Organic, Vegan, RSPO, etc.).
• Ensure all Private Label (PL) company requirements and audits are always met while continuously building a positive relationship with PL customers.
• Complete a formal risk assessment on food safety, quality, food fraud, and vulnerability for all new raw material and innovation items prior to launch approval.
• Support the R&D Team with the development, validation, training, monitoring, and accuracy of all critical parameters (CTP, CTQ, CTC).
• Support the definition of sampling plan for CTQs - Critical to Quality parameters.
• Demonstrate leadership in quality and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the plant food safety and quality assurance TEAM to ensure all required internal documentation and regulatory records are kept up to date.
• Coordinate with Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service to respond to consumer and customer complaints and inquiries.
• Facilitate root cause analysis and support the plant leadership in implementing corrective and preventative actions in a RESPECTFUL manner for all quality and food safety complaints.
• Perform vital managerial functions: monitor, train, cross-train, coach, and mentor staff. Manage hiring, performance evaluation, discipline, and termination of staff.
• Demonstrate HUMILITY by displaying good leadership by helping the TEAM succeed.
• Coordinate training and coaching of plant staff in processes and procedures related to quality during the manufacturing process.
• Manage quality-related communication across all departments in the plant.
• Ensure continuous improvement.
• Keep the work atmosphere FUN by keeping it light and welcoming.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Technology or other related fields.
• 7+ years comprehensive food safety and quality experience with an extensive background in manufacturing food industry.
• Strong knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP principles, BRC standards, quality improvement tools, and root cause analysis.
• Good understanding of food regulations for Canada and the U.S.
• Good understanding of process variability, process capability, and SPC.
• GFSI, PCQI, HACCP, and internal audit certification and previous experience leading the audits, preferably BRC standard.
• Resourceful and ADAPTABLE.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated management ability, capable of working on and leading a diverse TEAM.
• Strong multitasking, analytical, and decision-making skills with the ability to identify root cause and solve problems.
• Self-starter with a high level of initiative and ADAPTABILITY.
• Strong planning, organizing, and time management skills; detail-oriented.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written), including the ability to make presentations and conduct training; and to write policies and procedures.
• PASSIONATE individual that has the ability to develop relationships and the business.

Functional & Leadership Competencies:

Leadership Competencies Definition:

• Collaborates: Build strong partnerships and work collaboratively across teams to achieve shared goals and drive food safety excellence.
• Builds Network: Effectively building formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.
• Drives Results: Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Plans & Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Optimizes Work Processes: Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.

Key Accountabilities:

Responsibility	KPI/Metric Target
Lead and Maintain the Food Safety & Quality Management System for the assigned site	Achieve and maintain top-tier ratings in external audits (BRC AA rating), 100% on-time completion of regulatory audits, 100% compliance with regulatory and certification requirements; Zero critical findings in audits annually
Lead the FSQA Team and Drive Continuous Improvement	% reduction in customer complaints; CAPA effectiveness rate: by measuring CAPA closure and recurrence rate (except for oat husks). 20% annual reduction in customer complaint key drivers; minimum 15% reduction in internal Holds/rejects due to Foreign Material; ≥90% CAPA closure rate based on agreed completion date.
Foster a Positive Culture and Strong Leadership	Maintain turnover below 30% annually; Employee Engagement Score; Training Completion. Below 30% turnover; 100% training completion on onboarding Food safety culture and training.
Improve positive food safety culture across the company	Educate/Training BRC Unannounced audit achievement. 100% planned training compliance ≥ 15% reduction in non-conformances ≥ 20% increase in proactive FSQA hazard reporting by plant teams vs FY2025 (Lead).
Program updates and improvements	% of planned program updates & implemented improvements >80% updates & improvements (reduced deviations).

Salary Range:

$136,000—$143,000 CAD

At Riverside, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation and job posting practices. The range above reflects the target compensation for the position at the time of posting. Exact compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education, and training, as well as other organizational needs, while balancing internal equity.

What We Expect:

• Values-led: You'll be a member of a thoughtful and compassionate team that prioritizes respect, teamwork, and resourcefulness along with a good dash of fun.
• Unparalleled experiences and opportunities: Help us shape what this organization will look like and what we'll offer the world, into the future.
• Access to everyone: We're a flat organization with few silos which means you'll have full access to everyone from our founders to our production staff.
• Personal development: We'll support and empower you to chart your own path and reach any heights you set for yourself.
• Gratitude: We value you and show our true appreciation.
• Be a Riverside Brand Ambassador: Stay relentlessly close to our consumers and represent the brand in every interaction, decision, and deliverable.

What We Offer:

• Values-led: We don't cut corners or step on anyone or anything on our way to our summit.
• Courageous determination: You must be willing to try, ask and answer challenging questions, test and learn, and keep moving forward.
• Humility: We pride ourselves in being respectful and supportive of others while shining brightly through our innovative, high-quality products.
• Continuous improvement: We rely on each other to continuously improve everything we touch to make it better, more efficient, and more sustainable.

Additional Benefits:

• Immerse yourself in our comprehensive benefits program, with Riverside taking care of the costs!
• RRSP matching or 401k matching for an empowered financial journey.
• Eligibility to participate in Riverside's Profit Sharing Plan.
• Join Employee-Led Resource Groups (ERGs) championing mental health, sustainability, diversity, women, and LGBTQ+ rights.
• Develop your career further through our Riverside University program and with our Tuition Reimbursement Program.
• An open concept work environment that embodies our Values.

How to Apply:

If you have the commitment to excellence, the energy, the attitude, and experience we need, then please submit your resume to [email protected] with the job title you are applying for in the subject line or click the apply button!

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you have a disability and require accommodation in the interview process, please let us know when you apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to volume, please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Disclaimer:

As part of our recruitment process, we may use technology-assisted tools, including automated systems, to support the review and assessment of applications. These tools do not make final hiring decisions. All decisions related to screening, interviewing, and selection are made by our Talent Acquisition and hiring teams.