Sr. Regional Quality Execution Manager

Within our corporate headquarters in Denver, CO - Leprino is seeking a supports all aspects of quality throughout the supply chain from ingredient receipt to the manufacture and distribution of the finished product for both cheese and nutrition based products. This person must be able to travel up to 60% of the time, with travel being largely pre-scheduled, however, there are times when travel is unanticipated to address plant needs.

At Leprino, starting compensation for the Sr. Manager, Regional Quality Execution typically ranges between $139,000 and $173,000. This position has an annual target bonus of 15%.

The Sr. Manager, Regional Quality Execution manages department initiatives and operates as a subject matter expert in Quality Execution technologies, policies, programs, systems management, and enforces Quality Execution compliance standards. This position supports the organization in troubleshooting, technical deficiencies, identification of root cause, sustainable corrective and preventative actions, including reporting resolutions to Senior Leadership. This position assures LFC and customer quality standards and expectations are being met by partnering with plant QE and operations teams to ensure all quality and food safety issues are investigated. This position holds authority for disposition of non-conforming finished product and raw materials.  This position will primarily support the Eastern Region/Central Region plants and will need to cover the Western Region plants as necessary.

• Operates as a subject matter expert in applicable technologies, policies, programs, and systems management.
• Assures LFC and customer quality standards and expectations are being met
• Enforces compliance to Quality Execution standards.
• Holds authority for disposition of non-conforming finished product and raw materials.
• Manages Pest Control Management vendor relationships and compliance.
• Supports Regional VP’s on key strategic initiatives across the production facilities
• Prevent Problems Before They Happen through training, continuous improvement and root cause analysis activities.
• Drives Quality Execution-related problem solving and process improvement, by accumulating information and marshaling resources.
• Interacts with Plant employees, suppliers, regulators, and customers to obtain information to utilize in Quality Execution-related process improvement and root-cause analysis.
• Drives key organizational initiatives as assigned to support ongoing continuous improvement efforts.

• Matrix (dotted-line) management of the Plant QE Manager for assigned plants.
• Provides strategic and tactical direction, thought leadership, coaching, and advisory services to plant QE teams and operations leaders.
• Coaches and guides plant QE Managers through new, ambiguous, and/or difficult quality and food safety issues.

• Ensures that the plant QE activities are in alignment with the tactical and strategic initiatives of the facility, Production Division, and Company.
• Provides on-site support to plant QE teams during times of key vacancies or special situations.
• Develops and monitors on-boarding training programs for new QE Managers and Supervisors
• Ensures a balance of quality execution, customer expectations, and cost controls.
• Utilizes statistical methods, data analysis, and reporting to assist the manufacturing plants in identifying continuous improvement opportunities.
• Manages problem product generation through a deep understanding of our plants, products, and customer expectations by balancing dispositions using risk-based decision making.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in food technology, food science, dairy science, microbiology, chemistry, or related field
• 10+ years of food manufacturing, product development and quality assurance experience in the dairy segment
• 5+ years of leadership experience

Preferred Qualifications & Experience:

• Experience with Microsoft Office suite (including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint); SAP experience preferred; PCQI and Internal Auditing certification

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities/Competencies: 

• Solid knowledge of dairy economics, cheese and nutrition markets and their relationship with logistics
• Working knowledge of dairy proteins, dairy carbohydrates, product development processes and continuous improvement processes
• Knowledge of quality and food safety methods and techniques (including: GMP, HACCP, FSMA requirements and general food safety guidelines), continuous improvement methods, statistical process control techniques, and product development processes
• Ability to build and apply general knowledge in analytical principles to project work
• Ability to apply creativity and innovation to solving technical problems
• Ability to draw meaningful conclusions and give recommendations for next steps
• Ability to align individual goals with the Global Quality and Supply Chain vision and strategy
• Ability to provide current, direct, and actionable feedback to others, and act upon feedback
• Ability to balance multiple priorities, and a sense of urgency for problem solving and continuous improvement

At Leprino, we believe in equal employment opportunity and make employment decisions based on each individual's unique talents, experience, skills, and knowledge; we do not discriminate on the basis of any personal characteristics. We know we are better together and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive culture in which all employees can thrive. 

Offering You In Return: 

A chance to be part of a global team of individuals passionate about producing and delivering high-quality products that help feed and nourish families around the world. Leprino could not be where it is today without our incredible employees. That is why we share in our success together by rewarding you for your hard work. Hiring great people who are in it for the long run is our goal. Through competitive salaries and bonuses, life, medical/dental/vision coverage, voluntary benefits, employee assistance programs, wellness incentives, tuition assistance, vacation, ten paid holidays, sick time, paid parental leave, annual merit increases, as well as the LFC Profit-Sharing & 401(k) plan. Your impact will be notices and rewarded as you seek to further our company, our customers, and one another. 

Our Story: 

Leprino's history dates back over 70 years, when Jim Leprino first started making small batches of mozzarella for local markets and eateries in the Little Italy neighborhood of Denver. We've grown a bit since then. Today, Leprino is the world's largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose, and a leading producer of whey protein. Still owned by the Leprino family, our sights are set to be the "World's Best Dairy Food and Ingredient Company." To help us achieve that bold vision, we're looking for our secret ingredient: You. A motivated team member who is the best at what you do. Three passionate individuals in a small corner grocery store in the early 1950s have now grown to well over 5,000 employees throughout the globe. Will you join us on our journey?