Manager of Quality Assurance

Elmira Pet Products is Canadian Owned and Operated, and we are looking for a Manager of Quality Assurance to join the team!

Elmira Pet Products is Canada’s largest private label dry pet food manufacturer, offering unique solutions that drive growth for our global partners. With over 40 years of experience, we produce a comprehensive range of products, including therapeutic diets, holistic options, premium selections, mid-range, and budget-friendly formulations.

Our diverse customer base includes well-known brands in mass merchandise, grocery, and pet specialty channels. Additionally, our expertise allows us to craft unique diets tailored to niche markets. By joining Elmira Pet Products, you become part of a dynamic team dedicated to excellence and innovation in pet nutrition.

Visit our website at: www.elmirapet.com

Connecting Innovation, Quality, and Value with Pet Food.

The role:

Reporting to the Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance, the Manager of Quality Assurance is responsible for providing leadership and direction to the QA team and ensures that all finished goods are within product specifications. This position monitors and maintains QA programs, customer complaints, and quality-related databases. Collaboration and support in the execution and implementation of new initiatives, such as Skala, Density, product evaluations, statistical analysis, and reporting.

We offer:

We offer a competitive salary, a great benefits package, RRSP matching program, and bonus/incentives program.

At our company, we believe in fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment where every team member feels valued and empowered.

We have company events, such as BBQ’s and Christmas Party, giveaways, activities, and fantastic pet food product discounts – awesome for people who have pets!

What you’ll do:

Maintain and improve the Quality system:

• Act as Incident Owner for all product-related quality events, leading investigations, root cause analysis, and resolution plans.
• Ensure timely communication of investigation results to all stakeholders, including Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Regulatory Affairs, and external partners if needed.
• Assist with corrective actions and disposition of finished products/raw materials that do not meet specifications.
• Provide guidance and updates to quality assurance technical specifications.
• Manage the Customer complaints database and act as primary contact for customers in all aspects of customer complaints.
• Develop quarterly / yearly customer complaints matrix as requested by internal stakeholders.
• Maintain and oversee the NCR Quality Program database, ensuring accurate corrective action tracking, reporting, and troubleshooting.
• Manage Skala-Aqualab instruments and software, including hardware and supply oversight, instrument verification, software administration and updates, database trending, troubleshooting, and serving as the primary contact for all Skala-related matters.
• Oversee and maintain the Ignition database, including factsheets and packaging data, formula module settings, updates to patterns and lookup tables, SCC code calculations, QA/production spec documentation, and troubleshooting.
• Manage date code processes, including implementing new date code formats and coordinating programming updates in Ignition.
• Generate KPI reports from the customer complaint and NCR database to support performance tracking and continuous improvement on quality related incidents.
• Manage annual renewal of the AAFCO Check Sample Program to ensure continued compliance and participation and collaborate closely with the Laboratory Supervisor and Food Safety Manager to coordinate testing, data review, and reporting requirements.

Leadership:

• Lead a cross-functional team in maintaining and improving quality performance and meeting or exceeding quality standards.
• Provide leadership and guidance to direct reports, fostering a positive work environment and promoting teamwork and collaboration.
• Plan, organize, and prioritize work to ensure tasks are completed accurately and on time. Delegate responsibilities effectively to team members based on their skills and workload.
• Recruit, train, and supervise staff, including conducting performance evaluations, providing feedback, and addressing disciplinary issues when necessary.

Other duties as assigned.

What you’ll have:

• Degree in Food Science, Biology, or Chemistry.
• Relevant experience in quality assurance management.
• In-depth knowledge of HACCP, BRC, and related quality standards.
• Discretion, diplomacy, and sound judgment with confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong leadership, management, and delegation abilities.
• Effective communicator with internal and external partners.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Self-motivated, organized, detail-oriented, and accurate.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Skilled at influencing, communicating vision, and executing quality systems company-wide.

Salary Range: Salary will be based on the successful candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience.

We are an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005), Elmira Pet Products will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. If you require disability – related accommodations, please inform the Human Resources (HR) staff. All personal information is collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Store discount
• Vision care
• Wellness program
• Work from home

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Elmira, ON N3B 2A1: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• How many years of experience do you have in a Quality Assurance role?

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Experience:

• Manufacturing: 2 years (preferred)
• Management: 2 years (preferred)

Work Location: In person