About us.
We're Tovala, a food-tech company completely reinventing home cooking to save consumers time. Through an innovative combination of hardware, software, and food, we give our customers a way to enjoy really good, good-for-you meals without sacrificing time to do whatever matters to them. We've amassed a loyal, rapidly growing following in just three years, radically changing the day-to-day lives of people across the country and successfully creating a new model for the food industry. We're looking for great people to join our team of hard-working, food-loving nerds.
About the job.
The Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager is responsible for leading and managing the company’s QA team in order to assure the production of high quality, safe and legally compliant products that meet the desired product design and customer expectations. This position is responsible for providing governance of the Food Safety and Quality Management System, and fostering the implementation, standardization, and prioritization of Tovala’s food safety and quality assurance standards at our production facilities. The expectation for this role is to lead continuous improvement for the company - always making improvements!
Note: This position will be on-site at our production facilities 5 days a week.
How you'll spend your time at Tovala:
- Coaching, training and developing FSQA personnel to drive a higher performance level
- Maintaining responsibility for ensuring that all FSQA personnel are properly trained to perform job functions, as well as possess an in-depth knowledge of food safety and quality principles
- Managing FSQA department staffing in alignment with budget and business needs
- Supporting the development of a talent pipeline for FSQA at the site level
- Partnering effectively with other departments to improve food safety and quality assurance
- Ensuring FSQA projects and priorities are complete and timely
- Leading the FSQA agenda at the site, challenging facility management teams where necessary to ensure wholesome products are produced that meet regulatory requirements
- Managing GMPs and lead all training
- Serving as on-site point person for all regulatory and third party inspections; partner with the plant management to develop necessary corrective and preventive action plans (CAPA)
- Developing strategies to improve FSQA objectives
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in food science, food technology, microbiology, or related field preferred or 10+ years in food safety and quality assurance with a proven track record of success
- 5+ years experience in quality assurance, food safety, food distribution, food manufacturing, supply chain or related field
- 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, or food preparation with increased responsibilities
- Strong written and oral communication skills - ability to speak and communicate in Spanish is a plus!
- Ability to problem solve and work in a fast paced environment autonomously
- Strong leadership skills - ability to build, maintain, develop a team, managing multiple shifts and/or departments is preferred
- Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple tasks/priorities
- Previous experience with FDA and USDA inspections, programs, and expectations
- Certifications: PCQI, HACCP, and ServeSafe Manager, Cook County and City of Chicago food service manager cards at the time of hire or within 6 months of position
- Must be able and willing to work in refrigerated coolers (~38°F)
- Savvy with computer skills and related software (Google, MS Office, inventory management, etc.)
- Ability to kneel, reach, bend, and lift (up to 50 pounds) throughout the work day and to work on your feet for the entirety of the day
- Experience with automated and manual filling and weighing equipment
- Willingness and comfort to participate in production facility - provide feedback to production team as needed or required