THE OPPORTUNITY 

• Are you excited about the opportunity to maintain and improve Graeter’s quality management system?
• Can you see yourself collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure a culture of quality throughout the organization?
• Are you experienced in driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product or service quality?

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Established in 1870 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Graeter’s stands as an iconic family-owned ice cream institution, cherished for its artisanal approach to crafting small-batch French pot ice cream. Employing time-honored techniques and the finest ingredients, each batch is meticulously handcrafted to ensure a rich, creamy texture and unparalleled flavor experience. With a diverse range of offerings, from the classic indulgence of chocolate chip to the tantalizing allure of black raspberry chip, Graeter’s remains steadfast in its commitment to quality, innovation, and environmental responsibility, captivating the hearts and taste buds of ice cream enthusiasts nationwide.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

The Senior Quality Manager is responsible for leading the Quality team and coordinating with the Operations teams in the development, implementation, and maintenance of the Food Safety and Quality Programs within the manufacturing units of the company.  This includes responsibility for completing all assigned duties related to food safety, ensuring products are up to the food safety standards set by the company and by State and Federal agencies. Responsibilities for this role include:

Lead and oversee food safety regulatory compliance: 

• This includes quality documentation and communication with external regulatory entities to ensure that procedures mandated by the company, state and federal regulatory agencies are being adhered to.
• Develops policies, practices, and documentation (written and systems-based) that support manufacturing operations.

Leads and develops the quality team: 

• Builds and leads the food safety and quality team at the RGW (ice cream) facility.
• Recruits, orients, coaches, guides, and provides direction and feedback to the team members.
• Builds a focused, skilled, and engaged team able to meet the food safety requirements of the company.
• Provides coaching, guidance, and expertise to other facilities as appropriate or assigned.

Develop, monitors, documents and retain food safety and quality practices:

• Completes data collection, verifications, and per company policies, practices, and schedules.
• Provide laboratory support as needed, related to chemistry, microbiology, and quality analyses.
• Facilitate, document, and participate in food safety audit activities and completes documentation review.
• Ensure the food safety and quality systems are functioning as designed.
• Complete verification and validation activities.
• Communicate concerns and revisions to system as appropriate to team.
• Participate in review of programs and system per schedule and as needed.

Identify, assess, and resolve food safety issues in coordination with the quality team, operations, and company leadership and raw material suppliers. 

• Make recommendations for improvement and participate in decision-making teams.
• Coordinate with operations to complete Incident and Corrective Action Reports.
• Keep leadership and the organization informed of quality issues so appropriate decisions can be made to protect the brand.
• Engage directly with suppliers as needed to educate and ensure food-safe products and resolve issues.
• Monitor customer complaint feedback and provide feedback to our customers.

Training of new and existing employees and management, to increase the company and employees’ capability to consistently produce high-quality, safe products.

• Create work instructions, training materials, operating manuals, and other tools.
• Train (and guide) employees related to food safety and quality programs.
• Maintain training records within the electronic Learning Management System.

IDEAL CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in Quality Assurance in a food manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance in food safety and quality
• Experience in managing quality management systems, including HACCP, SQF, and FDA regulations.
• Experience in leading teams and driving continuous improvement.
• Strong communication, problem-solving and analytic skills
• Ability to work collaboratively across functions.

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Initiative: Self-starter, gets involved quickly, takes on difficult tasks with enthusiasm.
• Resiliency: Able to navigate tensions between safety requirements and operational requirements.
• Relationship Building and collaboration skills.
• Communication: presents ideas effectively, actively listens, and effectively communicates
• Detail Orientation: Organize, prioritize, and maintain focus for details and deviations.
• Analytical capabilities: Assess data for trends and concerning data.
• Flexibility:  Adapt to changing organizational and operational needs.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Continuous improvement:  Consistently, working as a team, developing improved processes in areas of responsibility.
• Fast Learner: new skills and assume new responsibilities.
• Follow-through: Must be capable of seeing projects and tasks through to completion.
• Emotional Maturity

THE PAYOFF

The payoff for this role is multifaceted. As the Sr. Quality Manager, you’ll have the opportunity to maintain Graeter’s robust quality management system, striving for continued excellence. Collaborating with cross-functional teams will allow you to continue a culture of quality throughout the company, ensuring that their product consistently meet the highest standards. Additionally, you’ll benefit from working with a leader in the industry, with over a century-long legacy built on quality, efficiency, and service excellence.

DIVERSITY/INCLUSION STATEMENT

Gilman Partners is committed to strengthening leadership teams and elevating the talent in our communities – and that means all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, ability, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or national origin. You don’t have to meet every qualification in this job description to apply. If you’re drawn to the position and believe your experience makes you a good fit, we encourage you to reach out.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Walk in freezers- ability to work in cold environment (-20 to -40 °F) and slippery locations. Walk-in refrigerators and cold staging area environment (35° F). Warehouse conditions such as heat and humidity (75°F to 95°F)