Quality Programs Manager

Job Description

The Quality Programs Manager leads the design, alignment, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of enterprise quality programs across Kettle Cuisine sites. The role translates customer and product-quality expectations into practical, measurable systems; partners with site FSQ, Operations, Product Development, Procurement, and Technical Services; and strengthens consistency in quality outcomes and customer experience. This West-based, on-site role owns the corporate quality-program portfolio, not day-to-day plant quality execution.

Responsibilities:

- Maintain and harmonize site quality plans, controls, records, and measures; evaluate whether plans are effective, fit for purpose, and aligned across sites.

- Establish and review quality KPIs, including relevant measures for seal integrity, drain and net weights, proficiency testing, and training; identify opportunities to improve visibility and automate quality-system work.

- Lead the corporate complaint-program framework and quality-performance trending, including customer sentiment and product-quality performance over shelf life; partner with the Customer Quality Manager and Analyst on execution and insight.

- Develop and maintain a risk-based supplier quality approval and performance approach with Procurement and Technical Services, including audit planning and supplier scorecards, with coverage scaled to approved resources and risk.

- Review product and process changes for potential quality impacts, including impacts to storage, equipment, processing, texture, color, flavor, seals, labels, and complaints during the post-change period; engage early in change planning.

- Coordinate cross-site communication, implementation support, and corrective-action follow-through; define owners, evidence, and effectiveness checks for program improvements.

- Assess operational and system risk beyond audit results by integrating process data, customer and complaint trends, change signals, and site observations; prioritize preventive controls and verify whether actions reduce risk.

- Lead continuous-improvement work using structured problem solving to move from audit findings or KPI trends to root cause, practical solutions, implementation, and effectiveness checks.

- Partner with the Food Safety Programs Manager and site teams to develop leading indicators and assess food-safety and quality behaviors; document concrete examples of behaviors that support or undermine food-safety and quality outcomes and help design and evaluate a measured Behavioral Observational Study for Food Safety and Quality.

Qualifications (Education / Experience / Skills)

- Bachelors degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Quality, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.

- Five or more years of food-manufacturing quality or FSQ experience, including multi-site program work or cross-functional project leadership.

- Working knowledge of quality systems, customer specifications, complaint investigations, trend analysis, supplier quality, and change control.

- Experience using data and structured problem-solving to define corrective actions and verify results; strong written communication and stakeholder-management skills.

- Internal-auditor, HACCP, PCQI, or comparable food-safety/quality training preferred where relevant to assigned programs.

Success Measures

- Site quality plans are aligned, current, and supported by clear owners and records.

- Quality KPIs are defined consistently, reviewed routinely, and lead to documented action where performance is off target.

- Supplier, complaint, shelf-life, and change-management programs produce usable trend visibility and verified follow-through.

- Risk assessments, leading indicators, and system changes surface emerging quality or food-safety risks early and lead to verified, sustained preventive improvements.

- Behavior observations include concrete examples and inform cross-functional design and evaluation of a measured Behavioral Observational Study for Food Safety and Quality.

As a Leader Within the Kettle Cuisine Team, You Are Expected To

- Model and support Kettle Cuisines Core Values and safety culture.

- Develop individual team members and their careers.

- Create a culture of accountability and performance.

- Drive a focus on quality assurance and continuous improvement.

- Plan work, track results, and resolve issues.

Required Attributes

- Self-directed, with high integrity and sound judgment.

- Positive, collaborative, and able to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

- Organized and able to manage priorities, projects, and metrics in a fast-paced environment.

- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills appropriate to the role.

- Willing to address difficult situations with patience and respect.

- Able to provide after-hours support for critical issues when required by the role.

- Enthusiastic about food and committed to safe, high-quality products.