FSQA Manager (18 month Contract)

A Sustainable, Forward Thinking Protein Company

Maple Leaf Foods is a leading meat and plant-based protein company, employing over 11,500 people and publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. We are proud of our roots, which trace back well over 100 years, but our vision and purpose are decidedly forward looking. As we pursue our vision to become the most sustainable protein company on earth, we are committed to creating shared value – creative business value through addressing some of the world’s most critical social and environmental challenges. Our goal is to build a more sustainable food system, which provides nutritious affordable food, operates within planetary limits, cares for animals responsibly, and meaningfully engages with our communities to advance a more just society. We are advancing bold changes within Maple Leaf and more broadly within society to pursue our vision. We deeply believe this is the sustainable path to growth.

Our job is to make great food

Maple Leaf Foods embraces a strong values-based culture, where our people are deeply engaged in work that is purposeful, fast-paced and challenging.We cultivate an open, non-bureaucratic and inclusive workplace that fosters safety and transparency, along with individual leadership and accountability. Each Maple Leaf team member has a voice and plays an active role in helping all of us achieve our goals with passion and discipline. We support one another to grow professionally, to learn new skills and to take on challenging experiences in the spirit of continuous improvement

Raise the Good in Food

We have united behind a shared purpose – to Raise the Good in Food. This spans a dramatic transformation of our flagship Maple Leaf brand, replacing anything artificial with simple, natural ingredients; investments and process changes to reduce our environmental footprint by 50% by 2025; building a diverse and inclusive culture where all talent thrives; becoming a leader in animal care; and advancing food security through our charitable foundation, the Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security.

Our Leadership Values

Eight core values guide us in everything that we do.

• Do What’s Right
• Shared Value
• High Performance
• Diverse and Inclusive Teams
• Disciplined Decision Making
• Our Accountability
• Intense Curiosity
• Transparency and Humility

The Opportunity

The FSQA Manager will be responsible for overseeing food safety and quality operational support for all areas and shifts within the Heritage facility in Hamilton, Ontario. This role will work together in collaboration with two other FSQA Managers to lead the FSQA department through ongoing maintenance and improvement of the food safety and quality systems. Reporting to this role will be the FSQA Supervisors (Team Leaders) and an FSQA Administrator. This role also works closely with the wieners operational team, along with other cross-functional departments.

A snapshot of some of the exciting things you will lead and do:

• Develop a constructive work environment through excellent interpersonal, team building skills, open communication, encouraging input and constructive performance management
• Partner with the HR employee services department to hire and onboard new staff and develop training to satisfy the food safety program and facility requirements
• Deliver HACCP and MLF food safety and quality program updates, maintenance, verifications and function as a cross-functional liaison to ensure the plant is meeting regulatory and compliance requirements for all stakeholders
• Lead and participate in meetings within department and cross-functionally with senior leadership
• Engage in leading third-party audits (CFIA, HACCP, BRC, internal BRC or customer) and prepare/coach cross-functional managers before and during these audits
• Review investigations and corrective actions based on deviations found in plant process or resulting from customer/consumer complaints
• Responsible for hold and release program with authority to release held products
• Conduct food safety risk assessments to determine disposition of held products, collaborate with stakeholders, and make appropriate recommendations
• Manage the environmental monitoring program for relevant parts of equipment and areas of the facility (RTE – TPC, Listeria, ATP, lactics; and Raw – TPC, ATP)
• Review and provide feedback on maintenance/construction events as well as new or modified equipment to align with all FSQA programs and requirements
• Conduct analysis of sanitation/environmental data to determine root cause of deficiencies and provide sanitation and operations teams feedback on performance and necessary improvements
• Audit and report non-compliance and take corrective actions to assure compliance to all quality assurance and food safety requirements on a regular basis
• Maintain an attitude of continuous process improvement and implementation of progressing Six Sigma initiatives
• Train, develop and coach employees at hourly and salary levels
• Provide technical expertise to the manufacturing operations team regarding product quality, food safety, and good manufacturing practices
• Plan, actively engage, communicate, and provide direction with respect to quality assurance/food safety and related activities in all programs such as sanitation, BRC, employee relations, health and safety programs, etc.
• Support and execute the company’s food safety programs at the facility in conjunction with operations, maintenance, sanitation and all other plant functional areas
• Support and promote the company’s health and safety programs, maintain a safe working environment

What we have to offer you:

• Be part of a company with an inspiring and unique vision, with a deep commitment to sustainability and expanding its leadership in sustainable protein across North America
• Professional and career development opportunities
• Competitive Health and Wellness benefits that start on your first day of employment
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan
• Commitment to Learning – courses, resources and tools provided to all employees
• Employee Assistance Program

What you will bring:

• Post-secondary education within Food Science preferred, BSc in Chemistry or Microbiology would be an asset
• Management experience of 5+ years in FSQA within a food manufacturing environment, preferably in a unionized setting
• Experience in basic food chemistry and microbiology, allergen controls, auditing, GFSI/BRC, sanitary design and HACCP principles
• Ability to manage and build a team independently
• Demonstrated ability to forge partnerships with multiple cross-functional areas (ex. Operations, Maintenance, Sanitation) to enhance efficiency and productivity
• Knowledge of industry related quality systems and inspection programs
• Proven leadership abilities
• Detail and results oriented
• Proficient in MS office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Very strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate and influence stakeholders with confidence

Working Conditions:

• Environment: Plant environment requires walking long distances, refrigerated temperatures
• Volume/Complexity of Work: A fast paced work environment with multiple, tight and changing priorities
• Travel Requirements: Minimal
• Physical Requirements: Low

Maple Leaf Foods is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all our employees. As part of this commitment, we have adopted a number of COVID-19 safety measures, including a requirement for all employees to be fully vaccinated by March 31, 2022 and to show proof of vaccination. In keeping with this policy, successful candidates will need to provide proof of vaccination by March 31, 2022 (or prior to their first day of work if the start date is after March 31, 2022). We will of course consider accommodations for anyone unable to be vaccinated following human rights and other applicable laws
We thank all applicants for their interest in exploring employment opportunities with Maple Leaf Foods; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may be subject to a background check and must meet the security criteria designated for the position.
Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision, living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values, and delivering winning results. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired; please contact our Talent Attraction Team at accommodations@mapleleaf.com.

#Li-DNI