Director of Quality Assurance
New Today
UNDERSTANDING
We are seeking a highly experienced and dynamic Director of Quality Assurance (QA) to join our team at Albanese Confectionery, a leading manufacturer of candy and dietary supplement gummies. The Director of QA will play a critical role in ensuring the quality, safety, and compliance of our products, adhering to industry standards and regulations. This position will lead the QA department in overseeing the implementation of effective quality processes and procedures while fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the organization. In addition, this role will serve as a key liaison with customers, ensuring their satisfaction with the quality and consistency of our products.
CORE VALUES
Our 5 Core Values are more than just words, they're a way of life. We know that companies with a strong culture & a higher purpose perform better in the long run.
•Own It
•Hustle and Refuse to Settle
•Love People
•Act for the Greater Good
•Find a way
WORKING RELATIONSHIP
The Director of Quality Assurance will serve as the strategic leader responsible for overseeing and driving the quality assurance function, ensuring that all products-both candy and dietary supplements-meet the highest standards of safety, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction. This role requires a deep understanding of industry regulations, quality systems, and best practices and the ability to lead and inspire teams to deliver on the company's mission of excellence.
The Director will have overall responsibility for establishing the vision and strategy for quality assurance across all stages of production, from raw materials to finished products. This role is not only about managing day-to-day operations but also about driving long-term improvements, fostering a culture of continuous innovation, and ensuring alignment between quality assurance initiatives and broader business goals.
Success in this position requires a forward-thinking leader who can navigate complex regulatory landscapes, champion quality excellence across departments, and proactively identify and mitigate risks before they impact production or consumer safety. The Director will work closely with senior leadership to guide the company through evolving industry standards and ensure that our products consistently exceed expectations in both quality and safety. This role offers an opportunity to shape the future of quality, leading the way in creating safe, high-quality products that consumers trust.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership of Quality Assurance:
•Develop and execute the long-term vision and strategy for the Quality Assurance function, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and regulatory requirements.
•Establish quality benchmarks and performance metrics to ensure products consistently meet or exceed internal and external quality standards.
•Lead the development and deployment of innovative quality assurance strategies to optimize efficiency, enhance product quality, and reduce costs.
External Customer & Stakeholder Relations:
•Act as the primary external-facing representative for all quality-related matters, ensuring that customer requirements and expectations are met.
•Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers and external partners, addressing any quality-related concerns, inquiries, or issues promptly and effectively.
•Represent Albanese Confectionery in interactions with regulatory bodies, ensuring that quality and compliance concerns are communicated clearly and accurately.
•Ensure transparency and open communication with customers, providing updates on product quality, testing, and certifications as needed.
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management:
•Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, including FDA, USDA, GMP, and other relevant standards for candy and dietary supplement production.
•Oversee and guide the preparation for internal and external audits, ensuring that all required documentation, processes, and systems are in place for regulatory compliance.
•Develop and implement comprehensive risk management strategies, identifying potential quality risks and taking proactive measures to address them.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
•Collaborate with R&D, Operations, Quality Control, Sanitation, and Supply Chain teams to ensure seamless integration of quality assurance processes throughout the product lifecycle, from development to final production.
•Partner with senior leadership to establish continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product quality, reduce defects, and improve operational efficiency.
•Work closely with manufacturing teams to investigate and resolve any quality issues that arise during production, ensuring swift corrective actions are implemented.
Team Leadership & Development:
•Lead, mentor, and develop the Quality Assurance team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence.
•Establish and manage KPIs and metrics for the QA department, ensuring team performance is aligned with organizational goals.
Product Quality Monitoring & Reporting:
•Oversee product quality testing, including raw material testing, in-process checks, and finished product inspections, ensuring adherence to stringent quality standards.
•Develop and implement systems for ongoing quality monitoring, providing regular reports on quality metrics, trends, and potential issues to senior leadership.
•Ensure that corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) are initiated and closed in response to any deviations or non-conformances.
Continuous Improvement & Innovation:
•Lead quality assurance improvement initiatives, utilizing data analytics, root cause analysis, and benchmarking to enhance product quality.
•Drive the implementation of new technologies, processes, and systems to enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of quality assurance operations.
•Promote a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the Quality Assurance department.
•Other duties as assigned
REQUIREMENTS
•5 years' experience in a quality leadership role.
•Strong knowledge of 21 CFR Part 111 and 21 CFR Part 117 regulations.
•HACCP, SQF, and PCQI certification.
•Great verbal, written, and presentation communication skills
•Must be able to speak, read, and write in English.
EDUCATION
•A minimum of a bachelor's degree in biology is required.
- Location:
- Merrillville