Quality Improvement Manager Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA

Job Description

Company Summary

We’re the producers, creators and marketers of beer, wine and spirts brands that people love. At Constellation Brands, we’re driven to push boundaries and think beyond today to deliver products and experiences that resonate now, tomorrow and well into the future. Because of this approach, we’re the fastest-growing large CPG company in the U.S. at retail, with operations in the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand and Italy. Our premium portfolio of iconic brands like Kim Crawford, Robert Mondavi, The Prisoner, High West Whiskey, Mi Campo Tequila, Corona Extra, Modelo Especial, and more drive industry-leading growth for us today. But we’re just getting started. Our ability to stay on the forefront of consumer trends has fueled our success since our founding in 1945 and will guide us in creating the next generation of products and experiences Worth Reaching For.

Position Summary

The Manager, Quality Control provides leadership for production quality, continuous improvement, quality investigations, and supplier support across the network of wineries and distilleries. This role will manage the production quality team and coordinate with key partners in Winemaking, Distillation, Operations Services, Supply Chain, Procurement, Innovation, Regulatory Affairs, and Commercial teams to ensure world-class quality standards throughout the product lifecycle.  The Manager, Quality Control, will be expected to travel throughout the network of sites to support fixed line operations, mobile bottling, third party bottling, and rework operations.  The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise in food and beverage production with demonstrated leadership in quality management systems, food safety, supplier quality, risk assessment, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Monitors network production schedules and manages quality coverage for bottling operations.
• Works with Quality and Tech Services leadership to align supporting resources for laboratory operations and as needed line support for scheduled bottling operations.
• Defines and leads production startup quality activities, validations, in process checks, final product releases to ensure adherence to specifications and quality standards
• Develops tactical tools in support of production quality assurance procedures and processes that are specific to site operations.  Trains bottling staff.
• Maintain proper documentation and control of quality records specific to site operations.
• Oversee incoming material inspection, in-process checks, and final product inspection to ensure adherence to specifications.
• Approve and maintain inspection procedures and sampling plans, as needed.
• Leads root cause analysis/investigations and related reporting for non-conforming material or product in partnership with operations, winemaking, distilling, packaging and engineering teams.  Manage holds/releases and rework plans for site production activities.
• Collect RFT, rework and related data to feed KPI’s for quality across the network.
• Manage GMP audits/activities for sanitation and related areas of production quality directly tied to bottling operations.
• Support start-up, validation, and qualification activities for new equipment, products, and manufacturing processes.

• Manage the qualifications of new supplier and/or contract manufacturing operations as needed.
• Manage quality relationships with CBI lead contract manufacturing operations.
• Direct resolution of field and consumer quality reports as it relates to bottling activities.
• Collect data related to material/supplier quality, upload into Enablon and support CAPA in partnership with Manager, Quality Systems.
• Lead supplier qualification, performance monitoring, audits, corrective action management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Manager, Quality Systems to establish quality requirements and supplier performance standards.
• Analyze supplier quality data and drive improvements that reduce risk and improve product consistency.

• Support food safety programs including hazard analysis, risk management, sanitation verification, environmental monitoring, and contamination prevention.
• Lead quality support activities during regulatory inspections, audits, and customer visits

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop quality personnel.  Direct management of frontline production and packaging quality roles.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on safety, quality, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Manage departmental budgets, capital requests, and resource planning.
• Mentor developing quality professionals across the organization.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food science, engineering, business administration, quality assurance, statistics, or a science field related to consumer-packaged goods industry.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in quality, microbiology, technical services, laboratory operations, food safety, winery, brewery, beverage, distilled spirits, or food manufacturing environments.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing quality teams.
• Strong knowledge of quality standards, quality systems, process controls, and beverage manufacturing processes.
• Experience with root cause analysis, CAPA, risk assessment, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Understanding of supplier quality management and quality auditing practices.
• Knowledge of FDA, FSMA, TTB, OSHA, GMP, HACCP, and applicable food safety standards.
• Strong project management, communication, and leadership skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and quality reporting systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience managing wine production and packaging quality.
• ASQ certifications (CQE, CQM/OE, HACCP, Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt).
• Previous experience in premium wine, distilled spirits, beverage alcohol, or food manufacturing industries.
• Experience leading supplier quality programs and supplier audits.
• Knowledge of sensory science and product quality evaluation.
• Experience with statistical process control (SPC), data analytics, and quality trend analysis.
• Experience with environmental monitoring programs and contamination prevention strategies.
• Familiarity with global food safety and export requirements.
• Experience leading quality transformations and continuous improvement initiatives.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

Work Environment:

• The lab presents a unique environment that requires performing tasks of a repetitious nature, the ability to change job priorities, and the need for speed, accuracy and precision to ensure the highest quality standards.

• Works outdoors/indoors.
• Works in warm/cold climates.
• Works in high places.
• Works on wet surfaces.
• Is exposed to loud noise, fumes and/or toxic chemicals.
• Works near moving, mechanical parts and lift truck traffic.
• Must be able to move up to 55lbs.
• Primary office environment may be warehouse/distribution setting.
  • Must be at least 21 years of age.
  • Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time and work on a computer for extended periods. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Must be able to travel up to 30% of time.

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The salary range for this role is:

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  Our compensation is based on cost of labor. For remote locations or positions open to multiple locations, the pay range may reflect several US geographic markets, including the lowest geographic market minimum to the highest geographic market maximum. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, the prevailing minimum wage for the location, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, any collective bargaining agreements, and business or organizational needs.  At Constellation Brands, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate. We offer comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), and any other benefits to eligible employees.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or any other form of compensation that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Equal Opportunity

Constellation Brands is committed to a continuing program of equal employment opportunity. All persons have equal employment opportunities with Constellation Brands, regardless of their sex, race, color, age, religion, creed, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics), marital status, gender (including gender identity or gender expression), familial status, military or veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related conditions (or any other group or category within the framework of the applicable discrimination laws and regulations).