Quality Assurance Manager

Galerie is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager! 

Position Overview

The Quality Assurance Manager will direct cross-functional teams (QA, Product Development, Warehouse, etc.) through Annual BRC audits along with implementing training on New Supplier Process and Documentation. Oversee processes for tracking reports and customer complaints.

The focus of this position is on prevention of quality issues within major components to ensure product safety and food regulations.  This position is responsible for establishing, implementing and auditing the quality processes used by multiple departments, including but not limited to: Warehouse, Shipping/Receiving, Production, and Purchasing. Proactive and urgent attention to testing and quality issues that affect production is required. Additionally, this position will review products in development for quality and safety issues.

Scope of Responsibilities

Quality Standards:

• Develops general quality attributes by material (ceramics, boxes, plush, acrylics, etc.) using input from Galerie Purchasing and product development staff.
• New Vendor set up – per new vendor procedure.
  • Ensure compliance with agreements and policies and maintain key documents.
  • Preliminary audit of vendor’s facilities as needed to assure compliance with licensor and customer requirements.
• Data for correction or errors- collect seasonal data on customer complaints to be provided to the Marketing and Merchandising departments to use in corrective action plans for future product.
• Food and Toy Safety Standards- Need to keep up to date on as they change and become stricter.
• Will require travel to Asia to
  • Visit vendors to inspect facilities and understand their process variables.
  • Train China staff on inspection criteria and process.
  • Work with China staff to qualify and evaluate vendor performance and inspect facilities.

Quality Processes:

• Establish and maintain processes for measuring quality prior to shipment from Asia including:
  • Inspection selection criteria by product, shipment, vendor, and/or by using input from Product Development and Sales line reviews.
  • Record keeping.
  • Assist with Corrective action plans on a shipment, material and vendor basis. Supplying the needed defect analysis to put together the corrective actions. 
• Establish process for Mexico and US regarding incoming product inspections.
• Ensuring compliance with the BRC (British Retail Consortium) and Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards.
  • Perform monthly audits of internal processes and procedures.
  • Schedule and coordinate annual 3rd party food safety audits.
• Audit quality processes to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
  • Audit processes and submit summary report(s) to management.
  • Make recommendations for improvements or corrective actions as needed.
  • Follow up to insure improvements and corrective action are completed.
• Work with China staff to implement Quality processes.
• Lead HACCP / Food Safety Team.

Vendor Management:

• Establish quality requirements for new vendor selection.
• Travel to Asia if/as needed to qualify new vendors, monitor performance of existing vendors and monitor/inspect production.
• Review of new vendors to meet Galerie, licensor and customer candy packing requirements.
• Annual audits of existing vendors for candy packing requirements.
• Follow through on data provided for corrective action plans and record keeping.
• Establishment of requirements for new overseas food suppliers and annual audits of active international food vendors.
• Audit processes and submit summary report(s) to management.

Product Safety:

• Application of CPSC, ASTM-F963 and California Prop 65 or other current standards to:
  • New products – by working with development staff.
  • Inspection requirements.
  • Vendor inline testing and record keeping.
  • Galerie Vendor Testing Policy.
  • Ability to work with test labs to clarify standards and dispute test results as needed.

Experience Base

• Confectionary experience regarding regulations for domestic and international import of Chocolates and other sweets for retails gifting and packaging.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, ability to communicate across all levels of the organization clearly and effectively.
• Knowledge of statistical process control techniques and their application to process control and continuous improvements.
• Ability to perform routine in-process production testing and testing of raw materials and packaging. Able to prepare samples for testing.
• Sound decision making, analytical and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of good manufacturing practices and basic food safety principles
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Experience with :
  • general QC protocols
  • ASTM-F963a and CPSC guidelines.
  •  AQL and other sampling methods.
  •  California Prop 65.
• Experience setting up Quality Control (QC) programs helpful.
• Strong experience with MS office applications including MS Excel and MS Access.
• Proven ability to follow up on issues and drive resolution.