Role Purpose
- The primary purpose of the position of Site QFS Manager is to lead and continuously improve the site's Food Safety and Quality Management System, ensuring the manufacture of safe, legal and high-quality chilled dairy products including yogurt, cultured milk drink and processed cheese. The role ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, customer expectations, and Lactalis standards while fostering a culture of food safety and quality and continuous improvements.
Job Responsibilities
Food Safety and Quality Management at Plant
- Strategize QFS technical performance & cultural transformation in the plant towards world class standards.
- Ensure the plant complies with Lactalis QFS standards, Food Safety and Quality Management Systems (FSQMS) requirements and local regulations to eliminate/ minimise food safety risks on the products produced as well as meeting the consumers expectations.
- Lead the plant in maintaining GFSI certification and Certifications from the authorities i.e. GMP, HACCP and DVS.
- Lead and accountable for the implementation and sustainability of overall plant QFS routine activities for materials, in process and finished products.
- Responsible and accountable that product releases are according to specifications and turnaround time to fulfil the business demands and to optimise supply to the market.
- Lead/involve in HACCP activities for current and any changes of products production lines ingredients packaging materials and processes including new projects i.e. new product development with related stakeholders.
- Lead QFS preparation, readiness and commencement of new projects; including supporting plant operational activities product development and product performance studies.
- Manage customer/consumer complaints received accordingly and timely to eliminate risks to the consumers and brand reputation.
- Develop plant Environmental Pathogen Surveillance Programme (EPSP) according to Lactalis QFS and QRD requirements.
- Responsible on effective laboratory operation with test methods and procedures strictly adhered to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). Drive required initiatives to improve laboratory efficiency.
- Manage the annual laboratory budget and monitor the functional cost effectively.
- Drive the change management processes related to food safety & quality in plant. Lead the risk assessments and risk management discussions.
- Ensure plant conforms to customer requirements on FSQM and Product Specification.
Food Safety and Quality on Imported Chilled products
- Lead QFS technical performance & cultural transformation in chilled commercial and AFP towards world class standards.
- Drive Chilled Commercial Team on compliance to Lactalis QFS standards, Food Safety and Quality Management Systems (FSQMS) requirements and local regulations related to chilled products.
- Lead the investigations and verification activities on non-conformances of chilled dairy products up to the customers ends.
- Represent FBM on evaluation and review of changes related to imported chilled products with NZ Technical Team.
- Manage customer/ consumer complaints received for all imported chilled products accordingly and timely with NZ technical team to eliminate risks to the consumers and brand reputation.
- Coordinate and conduct the Mock Recall exercise for imported chilled products with Supply Chain team and Chilled Commercial team on annual basis. Ensure complete review of the exercise conducted with reports, improvement action plan and follow up verification.
- Confidential to Mainland Group Holdings Limited
- Build up QFS related competencies within the Commercial Team and Chilled Supply Chain.
Strategy and Leadership in Food Safety and Quality
- Strategize KPI targets and develop Goals with specific measures by conducting detailed performance analysis and proper benchmarking studies to establish solid improvement plans that can support business objectives related to food safety and quality.
- Demonstrate project management and technical leadership by leading cross functional team on local and/or regional/global QFS initiatives for all chilled categories. Also support plant operation initiatives that contributes to Operations excellence projects/activities.
- Lead Food Safety Culture plans i.e. QFS engagement activities, risk/change management, quality systems, etc. in the plant as well as for Chilled Commercial Team.
- To support QFS Vendor Management on vendor and TPM plant audits when necessary.
- Coach and develop QFS Technicians and Operation team members to build and enrich QFS competencies and capabilities as well as other skills required. Lead the team in practicing Lactalis Values.
- Lead Operation Excellence Quality Pillar implementation at Dairymas according to the annual masterplan with regular assessments and support from Quality Pillar Leader.
- Drive supportive culture towards health & safety management within the plant and team.
Job Requirements:
- Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology, Microbiology, Dairy Science, Biotechnology, or any related discipline. A master's degree is an advantage.
- A minimum of 5 years experience in Food Safety and Quality in related industry.
- Strong leadership and people management skills.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence operational decisions.
- Strong project management and continuous improvement mindset.
- Strong knowledge of Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS), GMP, HACCP, Microbiology, Quality Control test requirement in chilled dairy food industry.
- Knowledge of FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, Codex Alimentarius and relevant local food regulations.
