Product Quality Manager I
H-E-B is one of the nation's largest, independently owned retailers, operating over 400 stores throughout Texas and Mexico, with annual sales generating over $31 billion. Our Quality Assurance Team is committed to delivering safe food and consumer products that meet H-E-B quality expectations. With a broad product portfolio, focus areas include hardline and softline products sold in the General Merchandise department as well as private label products sold in Drugstore and Beauty. We ensure safe products from supplier to customers' homes. As a Product Quality Manager I, you'll manage individual business category work for product development, supplier and product qualification and maintenance. You'll collaborate with multiple teams and suppliers throughout project execution. Once you're eligible, you'll become an Owner in the company, so we're looking for commitment, hard work, and focus on quality and customer service. 'Partner-owned' means our most important resources People drive the innovation, growth, and success that make H-E-B The Greatest Omnichannel Retailing Company. Do you have a : HEART FOR PEOPLE... willingness to cultivate collaborative business relationships? HEAD FOR BUSINESS... strong operational knowledge in manufacturing systems and product safety / quality management? PASSION FOR RESULTS... drive to ensure products and suppliers comply with H-E-B and regulatory standards?
We are looking for :
- A degree in food science, physical, life, or applied science, such as engineering, or related field
- Knowledge of product safety and quality principles
- Quality assurance experience in a manufacturing setting
What is the work? Management / Quality Assurance / Compliance :
Serves as a knowledgeable resource in assigned business categories for product safety and quality, product development, and supplier managementEngages within cross functional teams in the qualification and maintenance of Own Brand products or products perceived as H-E-B brandConducts risk assessments to determine risk levels associated with suppliers, products, processes, and projects; communicates potential / realized risk to leaderUtilizes project management skills to advance development and maintenance projects by following established quality processes for supplier assessments, product specifications, and product approvalsPerforms a broad range of quality assurance activities to mitigate product risk as assigned on a project basis; collaborates with multiple internal / external teams and suppliers throughout project scopeLeads qualification of supplier facilities producing Own Brand products or products perceived by customers as H-E-B brand and elevates risk or timeline concerns to the cross-functional teamEnsures product specifications are adequately defined to meet customer / business requirements and production is executed based on the product design or formulationCollaborates with product development and suppliers to ensure products meet with the intended lifecycle or shelf life requirementsVerifies compliance of facility level claims such as gluten free and allergen programs are in accordance with regulatory guidance and H-E-B standards when applicable for nonfood itemsDetermines supplier compliance with FDA, CPSC, DOE, FTC, and other applicable international, federal, state, and local regulations in assigned categoriesEnsures supplier compliance to H-E-B's requirements for site security, social responsibility, and quality management systemsConducts facility assessments of existing / current manufacturing OB products to verify they continue to meet H-E-B's Product Safety and Quality StandardsConducts maintenance / brand health assessments of products to hold suppliers accountable to consistently meet product specifications and standardsManages investigation of product or facility related issues and ensures suppliers conduct effective root cause analysis and corrective / preventive actionEscalates supplier / facility performance risks to leader to collaborate on QA recommendations to stakeholders on facility status, product withdrawals, recalls, disposition and supplier performance action plansServes as the communication link between H-E-B, agent and any other 3rd party service providers such as testing labs and audit / inspection companies to execute verification activities to meet with H-E-B, industry and regulatory standardsMaintains strong relationships and works collaboratively with Procurement, Product Development, Customer Insights, Own Brand, Sourcing, Compliance, Regulatory and other areas to achieve business goals and objectivesCollaborates with all areas of the QA organization to continuously improve execution of programs and great productsApplies knowledge and research to assigned categories in these areas :Emerging risks and governing agencies related to assigned business categoriesCurrent / proposed local, state, federal and international regulations that may affect assigned business categories, including import compliancePrerequisite programs, including integrated pest management, GMPs, allergen control programs, prevention of foreign material contamination, master sanitation programs, product fraud, preventive equipment maintenanceStatistical tools / statistical process control (SPC)Supports implementation of department processes, standards, policies, and projects in a timely mannerFollows cost savings and reduction measures for assigned areaPerform Product Quality Technologist tasks such as monitoring critical safety events, generating ad hoc reports for data analysis or other assigned tasks as neededWhat is your background?
A bachelor's degree, physical, life, or applied science such as engineering or related field (master's / graduate degree preferred)5+ years of related experience2+ years of experience in quality systems auditingExperience working in a team environment and influencing business decisionsExperience in quality assurance in a manufacturing setting (preferred)Experience in retail or consumer products (preferred)Industry-specific certifications / training based on area(s) of responsibilityDo you have what it takes to be an H-E-B Product Quality Manager I?
Strong operational knowledge in manufacturing systems, product safety and quality management, HACCP / HARPC, GMPs, sanitation standard operating procedures, statistical process control, risk assessment and quality auditingAbility to conduct product safety risk assessments to ensure due diligence to local, state, and federal requirementsUnderstanding of Global Retailer and Manufacturer Alliance (GRMA) foundational principles, other related scheme requirements and / or industry specific requirements for consumer productsAbility to manage multiple priorities / deadlines and shift focus between tasks; attention to detailAbility to collaborate, solve problems cross-functionally, and provide proactive solutions with limited direction or inputAbility to provide data to stakeholders to influence business decisionsStrong interpersonal skills and critical thinking skillsStrong verbal / written communication skills that translate on an international scaleAbility to work independently and communicate with leader as neededAbility to develop strong knowledge of H-E-B systems related to supplier / product / project information, and inventory managementProficiency in MS Office applicationsProficiency in planning / scheduling toolsCan you...
Function in a fast-paced, retail office environmentWalk for extended periodsWork extended hoursTravel (up to 30%) by car or plane with overnight stays