• Develop, implement, and maintain stringent quality standards and procedures to meet Ghirardelli premium quality expectations and relevant regulations.
• Conduct routine audits and technical visits of contract manufacturing factories, ensuring compliance with quality expectations and identifying areas for improvement.
• Qualify new contract manufacturers and warehouses through partnership with Ghirardelli cross-functional team members.
• Collaborate with contract manufacturers to establish and maintain quality expectations, evaluate their performance, and address deviations from agreed-upon standards.
• Implement and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance overall contract manufacturing quality and food safety performance.
• Investigate and resolve quality-related issues promptly, collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Utilize data analysis tools to monitor and analyze quality metrics, identifying trends, patterns, and areas for intervention to prevent defects or non-compliance.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive documentation of quality control processes, inspection results, and corrective actions taken.
• Manage contract manufacturing product reviews, retention samples and the quality assurance monitoring program.
• Provide dispositions for brand shipments reported with transportation non-conformances.
• Stay informed about industry regulations and ensure manufacturing processes align with relevant standards, certifications, and legal requirements.
• Effectively communicate quality expectations to internal teams, contract manufacturers, and other stakeholders, fostering a transparent and collaborative quality management environment.
• Support customer and supplier compliance programs.
• Serve as back-up for the Director of Quality Assurance in her/his absence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

WHO WE ARE

At Ghirardelli, we're on a mission to become a one billion dollar brand and beyond. We want to be every consumer's first choice of premium chocolate, and we believe we can do that through our products and the way we do business, which are all inspired by our brand commitment to Making Life A Bite Better. We are a company committed to both personal and professional growth and believe that each employee contributes directly to Ghirardelli's growth and success.

The Co-Manufacturing Quality Manager partners with Quality, Contract Manufacturing Operations, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Research and Development business teams to assess and qualify potential new co-manufacturers, co-packers, and warehouses in support of business initiatives. This individual supports product and process start-up activities and provides problem solving assistance as required. The Co-Manufacturing Quality Manager develops and maintains premium quality standards, conducts routine audits, collaborates with business partners, and implements continuous improvement initiatives. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively are crucial for success in this role.

This role is based in San Leandro, CA; however, we are open to remote candidates for this position.

• Bachelor of Science Degree (Food Science, Biology, Microbiology, or related field of study)
• 7+ years of experience in Quality and auditing in the food industry with a broad understanding of industry standards and best practices
• 3+ years of people management experience
• FSMA compliant PCQI and HACCP certification; Familiarity with GFSI audits and regulatory inspections
• Energetic, self-motivated and the ability to act with a sense of urgency
• Demonstrated strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs, including Word and Excel, and comfortable using Quality Management Systems (QMS)

Preferred:

• Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) and/or Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
• Chocolate experience
• SAP experience

Other Job Requirements

• Required to regularly sit
• Must be able to concentrate for extended periods of time paying close attention to detail
• Must be able to keyboard for extended periods of time
• Must be capable of using protective equipment such as hard hats, safety glasses/goggles, safety shoes, hearing protection, air masks, respirators, etc. in the performance of job duties
• Must be able to kneel, bend, crouch and climb as required
• Travel 50-75%

Salary: $109,900 to $142,850/year