Job Title: Quality Manager

Location: Calgary, AB

About Us:

Welcome to Lactalis Canada – where we take pride in being recognized as one of Forbes' 2022 top employers! Our journey revolves around enhancing the lives of Canadians through a rich variety of dairy delights, including some of Canadian’s favourite dairy brands such as Black Diamond Cheese, Lactantia Milk, Astro Yogourt, Balderson Cheese, and Cheestrings. In fact, we’re proud to say our products grace the shelves of an incredible 94% of Canadian households!

With a 140-year legacy driven by innovation and unwavering quality, we’re seeking like-minded individuals to join us in shaping our next chapter.

About the opportunity:

As the head of the Quality Team the Quality Manager is responsible for all aspects of the quality of products and processes at the plant. Emphasis is on continuous quality improvement, budget control, applying the rules and regulations according to PQMS and different governments, proactive troubleshooting, downgrade reduction and an improvement in First Pass Quality. Also assists in the development and implementation of the PQMS program, provides direction and supervision of all lab personnel, and acts as an integral member of the plant Leadership Team.

The attributes we are looking for:

• Lead the HACCP program by maintaining and ensuring adherence to CFIA’s regulatory programs (HACCP/FSEP/DIEM). Act as the plant’s primary liaison with the CFIA ensuring that all government regulatory requirements are being met. Lead efforts to ensure external regulatory audits are successful and that any recommendations from such audits are completed in a timely manner above acceptable levels.
• Lead the PQMS program which includes on-going development, implementation and maintenance of the Quality Management System (PQMS). Provide training to manufacturing personnel, ensuring their support of and compliance to the quality programs. Responsible for preparing, reviewing and approving controlled documentation. Responsible for maintaining the Internal Quality audit program by coordinating audits and following corrective actions through to completion.
• Manage the analytical lab to ensure that chemical; microbiological and environmental analysis is completed at the correct frequency and accuracy. Ensure that all out of standard product is controlled and disposition is executed in a timely manner with consultation of all stakeholders. Reports the results of all analysis to internal and external customers accurately in a timely manner to permit production departments to implement corrective actions.
• Provide leadership to improve health and safety performance by being a role model in safety and demonstrating due diligence through applying the corporate health & safety program elements. These focus on incident prevention through hazard identification, implementing necessary controls, training, education, and audits. Where necessary, take corrective action to address unsafe situations and employee behaviours, uphold Parmalat’s cardinal and other safety rules and procedures, and communicate with appropriate resources to address any hazardous conditions or unsafe employee conduct.
• Provide leadership and supervision to Quality staff by providing work direction, performance feedback, and recommendations for training and development. Promote a positive labour-management relationship, including efforts to continuously improve the team culture and to establish high levels of employee involvement.
• Manage the QC department budget by monitoring results (actual vs. plan), managing the cost of poor quality such as downgrades or out-of-specification product and working with the production department to troubleshoot and determine appropriate corrective actions. Continuously improve upon First Pass measures. Work with customers to minimize the cost impact of complaints or defective product.
• Participate in the introduction of new technology with production and engineering to ensure all product quality specifications and product regulatory requirements are achieved.
• Organize and assist in the improvement of existing products and of the development of new products by reviewing product formulations, product and ingredient specifications, SOP’s and Process flows to ensure food quality and regulatory requirements are met.
• Maintain a constant focus on Food Safety and Product Quality by providing regular feedback to all employees on the plant’s status in achieving the corporate customer service targets and by emphasizing the cost of poor quality and its impact on the business. Ensure that all internal and external food quality audits are completed with acceptable pass levels and review all recommendations to ensure that the corrective actions are completed within the specified time period.
• Manage quality department SAP functions. Ensure accurate data entry and timely release of finished product. Manage out-of-specification finished products to ensure proper notification and distribution. Responsible for the purchasing of laboratory supplies in a timely manner.
• Work collaboratively with the Environmental Coordinator in administering the plant’s effluent testing and monitoring program. Assist in evaluating, reporting and trending the plant’s effluent data to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and lagoon agreement with the Rural Municipality.
• Monitor and maintain, in combination with the production department, the cleaning and sanitation programs including the sanitary maintenance procedures.
• Ensure customer satisfaction by collaborating with Customer Service and Sales/Marketing to address customer complaints.
• Serve as a member of the Leadership Team by reporting weekly on product quality issues and budgetary updates.

What you will bring:

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in Science or Engineering
• Three (3) to five (5) years’ experience in plant production or quality supervision
• Knowledge of Quality Assurance programs such as GMP, HACCP and ISO
• Strong team facilitation / leadership skills with a commitment to team development
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, written, communication
• Statistical Process Control skills an asset.
• Strong analytical , problem solving, organizational, and planning skills
• Cost management and project management skills
• Strong decision-making skills to identify and solve problems in a timely and effective manner
• Proficient with standard office computer technology such as Lotus Notes, Microsoft Office (Word & Excel), as well as business systems such as SAP

What Lactalis will offer:

Lactalis Canada believes in rewarding its people with the following comprehensive benefits package and perks:

• A Competitive Base Salary
• A Performance-Based Bonus System
• 4 Weeks of Vacation
• Benefits starting day 1
• A Pension Program with an Employer Match at 100% of up to 6%
• Tuition reimbursement plan of up to $3,000/year
• A Volunteer Day to give back to your community
• Learning and Development opportunities
• A commitment to internal career advancement with potential for international mobility

Our ESG commitment:

Our ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) roadmap drives our sustainability mission. We aim to positively impact communities and the planet by enabling stakeholders including our people, consumers, customers, suppliers, dairy farmers, government, and industry partners to have a positive impact on the wellbeing of our communities and the planet through all that we do.

At Lactalis Canada, we value our employees as catalysts for positive change. Together, we will create a sustainable future, promote belonging, and make a lasting impact on the world.

Our commitment to DEI:

Fuel Our Culture with Your Uniqueness! Lactalis thrives on the value each person brings. We're dedicated to amplifying diverse voices, inviting personal and professional growth, and embracing everyone's true selves. We're committed to crafting an environment that genuinely welcomes all, reflecting the richness of our people and communities.

Our promise extends to accessible processes and spaces. If you require accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary, or permanent), please inform our Talent Acquisition team – confidentiality will be maintained.

Note: Lactalis Canada does not conduct credit or background checks through LinkedIn. If required, we'll contact you after signing a Job Offer.