Job Description

Please apply directly to Andie at [email protected].

Who We Are

At JonnyPops, our team is empowered to make an impact at work every day from producing high-quality, innovative frozen novelties to spreading kindness one pop at a time. We look for bright and ambitious individuals who seek out challenges, thrive in fast-paced and high-growth environments, align with our core values, and get fulfilment from seeing their work transform the world around them.

Based in Elk River, MN, JonnyPops develops, manufactures, distributes, and markets frozen novelties. Retailers from coast to coast including Target, Costco, Publix, Kroger, Cub, along with thousands of regional and local grocers make JonnyPops part of their assortment.

Growing from a dorm room start-up in 2012, JonnyPop’ mission is to make "A Better Pop for a Better World!" JonnyPops leads the frozen novelties space in innovation and uses simple ingredients with no artificial dyes. Every pop stick includes a kind deed, spreading kindness every day.

Joining JonnyPops is an exciting opportunity to be part of high-growth brand and have a direct impact on the company’s success. Join our team and help us make “A Better Pop, for a Better World!”

Job Summary

The Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for Quality Assurance Programs at JonnyPops and will ensure food safety and quality of all products produced. This role oversees the development, implementation, and maintenance of food safety and quality systems, including HACCP, GMPs, SQF and customer requirements. The FSQA Manager will lead the plant quality assurance team, work closely with operations, R&D, and supply chain, and act as the site’s primary point of contact for regulatory and third-party audits.

Food Safety and Quality Responsibilities

• Ensure daily plant quality and food safety operations follow company policies, procedures, customer requirements, local, state, and federal regulations.
• Manage Quality Supervisors and Plant Quality Engineers and provide daily floor leadership of food safety to the Plant.
• Responsible for coordination and compliance of 3rd party audits.
• Ensure proper product testing standards and protocols are correctly executed at the plant.
• Ensure daily plant testing and laboratory protocols are adhered to.
• Provide reports and relevant information to the organization’s top management on the effectiveness and suitability of the food safety management system.
• Interpret, analyze and communicate quality issues using root cause analysis, both internal and external (customer complaints) and initiate applicable corrective measures.
• Serve as liaison with all regulatory bodies and audit personnel.
• Provide quality, sanitary, and other product certificates as needed for clients and export purposes.
• Collaborate with R&D and operations on product development, line trials, and change management processes.
• Track, report, and review the Quality Performance Indicators on a regular basis to drive continuous improvement through monthly Food Safety Meetings.
• Actively monitor and manage cost of quality to suggest improvements.
• Maintain and support Key Performance Indicators (e.g., consumer complaint reductions, hold reduction, etc.) to measure and control quality systems and processes for improvement.
• Development of quality knowledge for all plant employees; coaching, guidance, role model quality standards.
• Qualified to complete essential functions as a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI).
• This role will act as the primary SQF Practitioner.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Food Science, Dairy Science or related field
• 5+ years in quality/manufacturing/sanitation management roles with experience in food. production. Experience with dairy or frozen novelties, a plus.
• PCQI (preventive controls qualified individual) for Human Foods certification required.
• Understanding of Food Safety and Regulatory requirements.
• HACCP training previously completed.
• Experience with SQF highly desired.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Full understanding of FDA/USDA regulations and GMP in a food manufacturing facility.
• Understanding of GFSI (global food safety initiative) audit requirements.
• Training in or experience with FSMA / Food Defense.
• Experience with Redzone quality and production system, a plus
• Ability to connect with and influence plant management and plant workforce.
• Continuous improvement experience.
• Experience with basic in-house lab testing for safety compliance.
• Ability to work beyond standard business hours as needed, including holidays, weekends, or different shifts.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate ideas and technical information in an easily understandable way.
• Strong planning and organization skills.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office programs, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations and analyses and interpret lab results.
• Ability to speak Spanish, a plus.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, sit, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; talk and hear, and reach with hands or arms. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 30 lbs. Works comfortably in a variable temperature environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in regular office conditions, a laboratory environment, production, inside a cooler or in a warehouse.

Work Environment:

• Primarily on-site within a food manufacturing facility.
• May require occasional travel for external training or meetings.
• Ability to work in environments that may include exposure to noise, machinery, and temperature variations.

Additional Requirements

• Naturally curious, with an appreciation for ambiguity and the ability to embrace the “test and learn” mentality in pursuit of continuous improvement.
• Alignment to our mission to spread kindness – JonnyPops is a kindness-based company
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm.

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