In addition to applying for the position, Kagome Inc. requires all applicants to take the PI Behavioral Assessment™, a scientifically-validated behavioral assessment that can be used to identify opportunities for selection and development.

Please click here to complete the PI Behavioral Assessment.

Purpose and Summary

• Food Safety & Quality Systems – Plant Implementation: Implement Plant Food Safety and Quality Standards for the Los Banos, CA facility through support, review, and execution of programs, policies, and/or procedures in compliance with GFSI standards, applicable customer-specific requirements, and regulatory requirements. Designated primary SQF Practitioner for the Los Banos, CA Facility. Host monthly SQF Management Commitment meetings as required and facilitate Food Safety Team meetings as required.
• Audit Responsibilities: Conduct gap analysis and host internal and external audits for the Los Banos, CA facility. Facilitate, document, and manage execution of corrective and preventative actions following audits for compliance and acceptable closures of any non-conformances
• Food Safety & Quality Holds: Manage non-conformances of ingredients, materials, and finished goods through the Hold and Release Program. Evaluate incidents for root cause and take necessary corrective and preventative actions to prevent reoccurrence. Provide direction on disposition of finished goods as necessary.
• Customer Complaints: Manage all customer complaints assuring proper root causes and corrective/ preventative actions are taken to prevent reoccurrence. Manage and responds to customers with empathy in assurance Kagome delivers on our promise of food safety and quality.
• Internal Facility Inspections: Facilitate and document monthly facility inspections for continuous improvement in behaviors and GMP practices. Follow up to assure corrective actions are completed in a timely manner.
• KBMP Requirements: Manage the implementation of Kagome Best Manufacturing Practices at the Los Banos, CA facility to meet KPI goals.
• Staffing: Manages a staff of Quality Systems team include a Quality Analyst, Quality Specialists, and Micro Technician. This includes compliance to company policies, performance reviews, goal setting and achievement, coaching, development, merit recommendations. Review and approve timesheets for staff.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attend the plant management team staff meetings daily to communicate pertinent food safety and quality information.

• Recommends and/or develops orientation and training materials in respect to corporate quality standards.

• Reports on key Quality Indicators to Corporate Quality management and plant Department leaders.

• Communicate effectively with Corporate Quality Team and all functional departments at all Kagome USA facilities to ensure companywide objectives are achieved.

• Support Product Design Risk assessments to provide technical support in food safety and quality.

• Actively participate and support the 5S and MES initiatives.

• Support the completion of QA documentation requests for the Los Banos, Ca facility.

• Promote and support food safety and quality culture activities at the facilities.

• Monitor areas of budget control and capital expenditures necessary to meet planned goals.

• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Sr. Director of Corporate Quality and Regulatory.

• During the absence of the Quality Systems Manager, the authorities described in this job description will be performed by the Sr. Director of Corporate Quality and Regulatory and/or designate.

Support the review, understanding and compliance of all programs, policies and procedures contained in the Food Safety and Quality Management System. Understand my role in food safety and regulatory responsibilities as required by the SQF Food Safety Code and report any food safety concerns to initiate appropriate action.

POSITION DIMENSIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Education Level and Focus: Bachelor’s degree from a 4-year college or university in a scientific field and a minimum of 5 years of progressive Food Safety and Quality Assurance management experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s degree preferred.
• Work Environment: This position is based at Kagome Corporate Headquarters and manufacturing facility located in Los Banos, CA. Must be able and willing to work extended hours on occasions and willing to travel up to 20% of the time based on business needs. While at the facility, some conditions can include exposure to chemical fumes, hot/cold and humid temperatures, high noise levels, wet floors. This is a Safety Sensitive position.
• Uphold Kagome's Values: Employee works well with others as a team and treats others with respect. Conducts self in a professional manner and exhibits the highest level of integrity. Maintains a positive attitude through good working relationships with our customers, visitors, and co-workers that emphasizes our commitment to good customer service.
• Employee Retention: Build a culture of employees and/or co-workers want to be a part of. Be helpful to others and work as a team toward company goals. Participate in an exceptional onboarding experience for new hires and ensure they have the necessary tools to succeed in their roles by welcoming and assisting them. Build employee engagement, recognize and reward employees, provide avenues for professional development, and manage to retain.
• Written and Oral communication: Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information. Speaks clearly and respectfully in positive and negative situations; listens and gets clarification; actively engages in meetings.
• Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to other’s views; gives and welcomes feedback; contribute to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and trust in commitment to team goals and objectives; supports everyone’s effort to succeed.
• Business Mindfulness: understands business implications of decisions; aligns work with strategic goals.
• Cost Consciousness: Works within approved budget; develops and implements cost savings measures where possible, conserves organizational resources.
• Diversity: Demonstrates knowledge of company’s EEO polices; shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a harassment-free environment; builds a diverse workforce.
• Ethics: Treats people with respect; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values.
• Judgement: Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgement; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes timely decisions.
• Motivation: Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence; takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Planning and Organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; sets goals and objectives; develop realistic action plans.
• Professionalism: Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibilities for own actions.
• Problem Solving: identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gather and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternate solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Technical skills: assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives continuously to build and share knowledges, skills, and expertise.
• Customer Service: manages difficult or emotional customer situations and responds promptly to customer needs.
• Safety Awareness: observes safety and security procedures; determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions or near misses.
• Adaptability: adapts to changes in the work environment; manage competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation faced; able to deal with changes or unexpected events.
• Dependability: keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Initiative: volunteers readily as a team player; undertakes self-development activities; seeks increased responsibilities; takes calculated risks as appropriate; asks for and offers help when needed.