Process Quality Lead

Who We Are

At Freshpet, our goal is to change the way people nourish their pets forever. We strive to strengthen the bond between people and our pets so that we both live longer, healthier, and happier lives while being kind to the planet. We believe that if we can create fresh, real foods that pets love and help them live healthier lives that their pet parents will also enjoy the many benefits of a rich life shared with a pet.

We started off with a mission to change the way pet parents feed dogs and cats, but we also wanted to be a company that had a thoughtful approach to how we operate. We wanted to do things differently, make great products but be gentle to the planet, good to the people who touch our business, and leave a positive impact with everything we do. We work hard every day to ensure that the original vision is met, starting with making the highest quality foods in our kitchens to running our business with integrity, transparency, and social and environmental responsibility. IT'S AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU START COMPLETELY FRESH!

What You Will Do

We seek a hands-on, results-driven, creative innovative Process Quality Lead with experience in the food and beverage space, preferably with refrigerated RTE products. You will have a passion for process improvement and a track record of success. You are comfortable working across the organization at all levels to contribute to overall team success.

How You Will Make An Impact

This position will be focused on existing processes, operational standards and new process designs. The Process Quality lead will drive innovation and improvement to bring a positive impact on delighting our consumers (pets and pet parents) to a greater level and further enhancing our competitive position in the market.

You will provide enhancements to our overall process through:

• Responsible for the participating in and supporting the Freshpet Food Safety Culture

• Lead, promote and coordinate the Operational Excellence System implementation and projects for Food Safey & Quality pillar

• Monitor and lead plant-wide Operational Excellence System activities to meet critical business objectives in collaboration with site leaders

• Explore, develop and implement new process technology, software (including AI) and instrumentation to drive or facilitate a better customer experience and lower cost

• Collection and analysis of data related to manufacturing processes

• Leverage data and on floor observation related to the current process to identify opportunities and measure success

• Work across the organization at all levels to better develop and gain buy in for new processes and practices

• Create presentations/case studies for practical application of the Operational Excellence System, tracking progress on goals and plants, assist in creation of the Operational Excellence best practice bank

• Facilitate OpEx system team meetings, guide improvement teams through all the steps of system and/or FSQA method tools

• Promote simple problem solving with 5 Why's and other analytical tools

• Be a visible example of world class food facility GMPS and sanitation

• Maintain knowledge, understanding and adhere to safety policies, USDA, GMP's, FSQA, HACCP, and company policies

• Use of statistics and Lean tools in the identification of opportunities for improvement

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering or related area or equivalent combination of related work experience and education

• Minimum 4 years engineering experience in a process development or manufacturing environment; preferable in a food manufacturing facility

• Exposure to sanitation process in a food or pharmaceutical manufacturing facility

• Knowledge and understanding of the importance of LOTO, SDS's, GMP's, HAACP, CCP's

• Creative problem solving

• Strong analytical skills, understands value of data/information

• Demonstrated ability to lead a structured problem-solving effort

• Knowledge of best hygienic and GMP practices

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Unquestionable honesty and integrity

• Holds self and others accountable

• A positive, hands-on doer; leads by example

What We Offer

At Freshpet, we offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance, basic and optional life insurance, short- and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan with company match, paid parental leave, pet insurance, tuition assistance, a generous PTO plan and so much more!

Our Commitment to a Diverse Workforce:

At Freshpet, we embrace and encourage our employees' differences in age, sex, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

Freshpet aims to foster, cultivate and preserve a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our employees are our most valuable assets. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and company's achievement as well. Freshpet is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Disclaimers

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

Freshpet is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Freshpet via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Freshpet. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Freshpet as a result of the referral or through other means.