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Job Title: Quality Assurance Manager; Merchant Trading

Department: Quality Assurance

Location: Springfield, MO, or approved remote location.

Reports To: Director Q&FS

Wage Plan/Exemption: Salaried

This position will directly support the Merchant Trading platform as the QA resource responsible for managing supplier–customer relationships regarding quality, documentation, specification development, product safety, and analytical evaluation for products offered by the platform. This position will also provide support by working cross-functionally with the corporate team, suppliers, and customers to provide guidance in support of LinkOne requirements and regulatory compliance. This role will own the Organic certification and Document Control programs for the platform. Experience with document control platforms (TraceGains, ReposiTrak, etc.) is desirable.

This role will work cross-functionally with the Merchant Trading platform leadership in support of commercial, food safety, and quality initiatives. It will ensure that new suppliers are appropriately onboarded and that they conduct business in a “food safe” manner consistent with USDA, FDA (FSMA), and LinkOne requirements. This role will assist in the support and implementation of corporate quality processes that effectively drive fundamental QA requirements, including Document Control, Corrective Actions, Customer Feedback, and Continuous Improvement.

This role may also be responsible for supporting continuous improvement of food safety systems and providing training on Corporate, Platform, and Site quality programs. Labor and material resources provided to this position will be managed in an efficient and effective manner. This role will support all safety programs, policies, and procedures, and will demonstrate a personal value system consistent with creating a work environment based on trust, human dignity, and honesty.

Include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead the supplier review and approval program for the Merchant Trading platform, including assessment of vendor and co-manufacturer sites for compliance with LinkOne food safety standards. Must be able to assess risk, propose solutions, and implement initiatives to continuously improve food safety compliance.

• Implement and maintain policies and procedures to help the platform comply with quality and food safety requirements, promote a culture of audit-readiness, and provide support to platform personnel while keeping commercial interests in mind.

• Own the Organic certification program and Document Control system for the Merchant Trading platform.

• Develop and maintain customer-facing quality documentation, including specifications, Certificates of Analysis, Letters of Guarantee, and related materials.

• Manage FSVP compliance files for applicable imported ingredients, serving as or supporting the Qualified Individual role in coordination with corporate FSQR leadership.

• Create and support systems for trending supplier performance and develop criteria for the disapproval of poor-performing suppliers.

• Provide the Director with clear visibility into platform priorities and quality status via scorecards, periodic reports, and ad hoc updates.

• Communicate effectively with internal customers and stakeholders, driving collaborative solutions where resources are constrained or suppliers have limited options.

• Assist in implementation and training on new procedures as needed.

• Support the Quality Team on specific or assigned projects.

• Cross-train on quality programs and initiatives within LinkOne to serve as an alternate to other platforms or QA managers as needed.

• The ability to work varying hours, including weekends, holidays, and overnight, may be required.

• Other tasks as assigned.

This position has 0 direct reports at hire.

This position may require up to 50% travel to supply, manufacturing, and customer facilities, including domestic and international overnight travel.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from a four-year college or university preferred. Relevant degree fields include Food Science, Food Safety, Agriculture, Animal Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, Business, and related disciplines. Five or more years of experience in quality and/or food safety in food, pet food, or ingredient manufacturing, with at least two years in a management or lead role, is preferred. Must hold or be able to achieve HACCP and PCQI certification within the first year of employment.

VERBAL/WRITTEN SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, customer specifications, and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and customers.

INFORMATION SYSTEM SKILLS

Ability to use or acquire advanced research skills to obtain the information needed to complete tasks. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with the capacity to learn and adapt to new software systems quickly. Experience with TraceGains or ReposiTrak is desirable but not required.

REASONING/DECISION MAKING SKILLS

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Responsible for technical understanding of job-specific decisions.

ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS

• Punctual and dependable

• Stay on task and deliver on time

• Complete short-term projects while maintaining long-term processes

• Set, meet, and evaluate long-term goals and objectives

• Prioritize, manage, and organize job tasks and functions

• Proactive approach toward improving processes and systems

• Ability to create, prioritize, plan, and complete job functions and projects with little or no supervision

PEOPLE SKILLS

• Possess a strong, positive attitude

• Communicate clearly and concisely

• Ask questions when unclear of assignment

• Must be team-oriented

• Communicate problems and solutions to others

• Train others on tasks

• Communicate effectively in stressful situations

• Knowledge and use of motivational language

• Ability and willingness to see others’ perspectives

• Ability to work and influence across multiple disciplines

• Behave in a professional and trustworthy manner in all work-related situations

The physical demands 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 will be required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell 0–33% of the time. The employee will be required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms 34–66% of the time, and be required to talk or hear 67–100% of the time. The employee will be required to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds 0–33% of the time. Specific vision requirements include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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 will occasionally work near moving mechanical parts. Adherence to all safety requirements is a must.

• Servant Leader to All – Humbly listening to and serving our employees, customers, and suppliers

• Committed to Relationships – Caring about the long-term well-being of our employees, customers, and suppliers

• Pioneering – Using our industry knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit to connect our stakeholders to innovative solutions

• Results-Driven – Having an intense desire to go beyond what is expected

• Tenacious – Persevering in all that we do