Job Summary

At Danone, Manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams.   We are currently looking to hire a QFS Plant Quality Change Manager based in Jacksonville, Florida.

 The QFS Plant Quality Change Manager will work closely with Senior Plant Leadership. The primary responsibility is to ensure the ongoing quality and safety foods in the manufacturing facility involved in any Change Management activity (Projects, New Recipies/Packaging, Process or Equipment Improvement, any change that may impact the overall QFS performance). This position works to make certain that procedures, programs (SPC, CIP United), formulas, manufacturing processes, and equipment used to produce Danone products meet Quality, Food Safety and Regulatory requirements and they are validated according to Danone standards in any change.

Serves as a liaison between the QFS organization and several functions across the plant including Production, Engineering, Maintenance and within the Company as R&I, Marketing, Operations to deliver innovation and renovation projects and all other Change Projects according to Quality and Food Safety Standards. This work will sometimes involve novel processing technology and require advanced capabilities in protocol development, experimental design, data analysis and modeling. 

This position may be participating in internal networks and professional affiliations. In plants implementing IWS, the PQCM is a member of a pillar and owns at least one system.  We recommend he owns as a part of his/her scope the Dan-IWS “change management” standard work processes (SWP).

Key Responsibilities

As a key member of our team, you will play an important role in driving our mission forward.

The following responsibilities outline the core expectations and contributions for this position:

• Participate in technical feasibility studies for all projects of the plant
• Conduct Q&FS risk assessments that integrate ingredients, process and packaging, as well as microbiological and controls validation, CIP, SPC and critical control operational requirements.
• Build Qualification Protocols for all projects in the plant and ensure all resources to carry them out are involved and trained
• Ensure with QFS Assurance Manger all needed capabilities in the plant are implemented through trainings and knowledge enhancement
• Review and approve new product/recipe and changes in existing ones proposed for implementation by central teams in terms of quality and process technology capabilities of the plant.
• Ensures all new Specifications are understood and implemented
• Stay current with all key regulatory and certifying agency guidelines and relevant Danone standards.
• Evaluate situations and documentation related to deviations and product release, support deviation analyses.
• Plant QFS CIP United SPOC
• Plant QFS SPC SPOC
• Ensure correct data and process parameters in systems (PLM, SAP, MES, etc.) for new or changed recipes.
• Coordinate the scope and quantity of laboratory tests related to recipe and raw material changes.
• Supervise the budget of conducted projects in terms of responsibility (production trials, laboratory tests, etc.).
• Supervise the costs of production trials according to the allocated budget (requesting pricing and settlement of trials, controlling the quantity of raw materials and packaging used for technological trials and controlled production).
• Supervise the efficiency of the first implementation productions, approving recipes and processes after the first three productions.
• Responsible for the effectiveness of the quality documentation Ensures relevant documentation is ready for authorities in all serious complaints: hospitalization, media involvement, etc.
• Ensure that all employees are covered by the food safety and quality training Including Bamboo & Veeva management and training.

• Conduct activities aimed at improving material efficiency.
• Analyze recipe and raw material changes in terms of cost optimization - line efficiency, raw material losses, assortment transitions, and avoid increased complexity.
• Conduct and participate in cost-saving projects and create initiatives to increase productivity.
• Coordinate and conduct production trials and implementation productions of new recipes and raw materials in the plant.
• Conduct projects and implement recipe and raw material changes in the plant according to applicable plant procedures.

Physical Demands

• While performing duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop; kneel; crouch; crawl; taste and/or smell, talk and hear.
• Ability to bend & stoop at waist level as well as bend & twist neck and head.
• The employee must regularly endure repetitive minimal to moderate lifting 10lbs up to 50lbs and occasional team lifting above 50lbs. Requires normal range of hearing and vision (including colors) to record, prepare and communicate appropriate reports and results.
• The employee is frequently standing on a concrete surface for 2-4 hrs at a time during a shift and up to 12 on occasion
• Occasionally may need to climb stairs, step ladders, stool.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Ability to work up to 12-hour shifts.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in an office and manufacturing environment with exposure to moderate noise and temperature variations.
• Work schedules could include nights, weekends and/or holidays to provide the ability to support a 24/7 manufacturing environment as business needs dictate.

Engagement in our Integrated Work Systems

Ensure adherence to plant standards and procedures (including but not limited to GMP, AIB, FDA, IWS, Quality, Safety, Finance, ISO, HOPE, Danone Behaviors, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE). As a fundamental piece of the organization, your responsibility is to participate and own the implementation and deployment of IWS system and its pillars (Leadership foundation, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE; Autonomous Maintenance; planned Maintenance; Focused Improvement; Education and Training; Environmental, Health and Safety; Quality; Organization; Supply Network; Early Equipment Management) with the objective of owning your space, owning your performance (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Mobilization, Nature) and owning your continuous improvement.    

Compensation & Benefits:

Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options.    

About You:

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of education, experience, and skills that enable them to excel in this position. The following qualifications outline what we’re looking for, including both required and preferred criteria:

Education & Experience:

• Degree in Food Science, Engineering, or related curriculum. Required
• 3 plus years minimum experience working in QFS, Operations, Engineering in food industry Required
• Strong foundational knowledge of food processing, food safety, and quality management principles including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) Preferred
• Working knowledge of experimental design, data analysis, project management, allergen management, SPC, CIP 
• Demonstrate mechanical understanding

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be collaborative and have demonstrated leadership ability
• Ability to work under deadlines, with multiple priorities
• Ability to work cross-functionally within organization
• Mentoring skills to bring plant team to right competency
• Must be adaptable and flexible
• Self-driven, results-oriented, able to work independently
• Ability to work with confidential materials
• Excellent communication / presentation skills
• Excellent record keeping / documentation skills
• Detail oriented
• Able to quickly learn new systems, tools, and programs
• Prior or present responsibility as QA Manager/Engineer for a food manufacturing facility preferred
• Working knowledge of SAP and/or similar ERP databases preferred

Danone U.S. is part of Danone North America, a purpose-driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. You’ll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia®, DanActive®, Danimals®, Dannon®, evian®, Follow Your Heart®, Happy Family® Organics, International Delight®, Light + Fit®, Nutricia ®, Oikos®, Silk®, So Delicious® Dairy Free,  STōK® Cold Brew Coffee ®, Too Good & Co™, and YoCrunch®. 

With approximately 5,000 employees and 13 production locations across the U.S., Danone North America's mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible. 

You’ll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world, working to make sure our company creates real value for people and the planet. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.

Danone North America is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. It is our policy to give equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to legally protected characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state/provincial and/or local law. For our EEO policy statement and your EEO rights under law click here.

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