Who we are

Skjodt-Barrett is a world-class manufacturer of custom food solutions and ingredients for some of North America’s most trusted brands. Our work is not high-volume, one-size-fits-all manufacturing, much of what we do is customer-specific, requiring strong execution, attention to detail, and real collaboration across teams.

With over 40 years of experience and the backing of Axel Johnson Inc., we combine long-term stability with a strong focus on growth and continuous improvement. Our teams across operations, quality, and corporate functions work together to deliver consistent, high-quality results for our customers.

At our Indiana site, we are in the middle of a meaningful transformation. With new leadership in place, including a new Plant Manager and COO oversight across sites, there is a clear focus on strengthening accountability, improving how the business runs, and raising everyday standards. There is real momentum across the plant, with new team members joining and stronger collaboration between sites.

This is an opportunity to join at a time where you are not just stepping into a role, you are helping build what the site becomes next.

Who we need 

Leading a team of quality assurance professionals, we have an opportunity for a Quality Assurance Manager, Manufacturing to join our plant in Indiana. Reporting to the Director of QA, you will improve and optimize the plant's quality management system while upholding the highest food safety and compliance standards. You will lead a team in carrying out their daily tasks in quality assurance. You will lead the development and implementation of quality objectives for the plant. You will be responsible for ensuring that all the products coming out of the plant are safe and meet quality specifications. 

Who you are 

A proven people and QA manager with food and beverage manufacturing experience. You are guided by integrity, the pursuit of perfection, and continuous improvement on the plant floor. You are motivated by the opportunity to implement change and willing to work to make it happen. You are driven by numbers and process and equally invested in spending time on the plant floor to see firsthand what’s happening and evaluate the team’s performance and process.   

What's in it for you 

Autonomy and influence. You will play a key role in maintaining our position as a leading manufacturer of complex food ingredients and products for globally recognized brands. At Skjodt-Barrett Foods, we value the drive to bring your ideas to life and the resilience to be accountable for your actions. You will have the chance to unite the team cohesively as you manage knowledge sharing and change adoption. 

Impact. You will be a vital part of our “One Plant” initiative, which aligns the operations of our plants in Indiana and Ontario, Canada. You will have the opportunity to put your mark on quality assurance, change management, and continuous improvement initiatives.  

Career development. You will work with a team who prioritizes an innovative and collaborative environment, valuing diversity of thought and engaging in healthy debates to reach mutually satisfactory conclusions. Whether you want to move up within QA or into another area of plant operations, you will be supported in your professional growth. 

What you will do: 

• Drive a quality culture. You will promote the belief that quality is owned by everyone. You will take accountability for the overall success of QA standards and practices while guiding the team to take ownership for their actions. You will implement and ensure adherence to all regulatory compliance, Site HACCP, GFIS, and company standards as stated in the Quality Assurance Manual, Laboratory Manual, and internal directives. You will drive continuous improvement efforts in product quality, performance and process optimization.  

• Ensure product safety. You will take ownership for the day to day quality assurance in the plant. You will use logic and reasoning to solve issues and implement solutions to prevent a repeated delay in production. You will ensure the team follows strict pre-set sanitation procedures and performs adequate sanitation tests. You will oversee and support troubleshooting efforts in the event of sanitation system failure. 

• Analyze and report. You will respond to customer complaints and provide Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action Preventative Action (CAPA). You will manage local, state, customer, third party, and federal audits and inspections. You will communicate quality metrics and inspection results to appropriate managers and others in leadership positions, including, but not limited to, daily, weekly or monthly KPI reporting. 

• Share knowledge. You will train management and employees on all quality assurance and food safety standards, including the Site HACCP program, QMS, and any other prerequisite programs. You will develop and maintain documentation of all required quality tests and activities. 

• Oversee the operation of the plant laboratory. You will ensure all required supplies and equipment are available. You will verify that the appropriate tests - chemical, bacteriological, sensory, and utilization -have been completed on raw materials and pasteurized products. 

• Meet and exceed customer expectations. You will ensure adherence to all contract packaging and other customer requirements. You will ensure on-time release of all finished goods for shipment and materials for production.  

• Lead change management. You will implement change management strategies and plans that drive faster adoption of improvements and best practices that increase quality and efficiency. You will work closely with the plant manager, engineers, production manager, HRBP, controller, and planner to achieve site objectives relating to cost, quality, environmental safety, and delivery of the best possible product to our customers. 

What you bring to the role: 

• The education. You have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Science, Industrial Engineering or a related discipline. You have also completed HACCP training and have GFSI scheme training. 

• The experience. You have extensive quality assurance experience in food and beverage manufacturing. You have direct experience implementing continuous improvement initiatives and leading the resulting change management to engage workers and ensure adoption. You have implemented CAPA. You have experience leading audits with customers on-site and implementing corrective actions. 

• The technical knowledge. You have extensive experience overseeing and optimizing a Quality Management System (QMS) under GFSI and HACCP standards. You have experience in thermal processing techniques, including hot fill, sterilization or aseptic processing within the food and beverage manufacturing industry. You have deep knowledge of sanitation systems, techniques and procedures and pasteurization/post-pasteurization processes. You have worked with FDA requirements for acidified and acid foods.  

• The project management expertise. You are driven and can take charge of a project from start to finish. You are decisive, meticulous, and proactive in responding to issues and requests for changes. You have the initiative to take action. Drawing on your industry knowledge and production experience, you can effectively guide project teams to deliver complex, cross-functional projects from end to end. You have excellent organizational skills in a demanding, changing environment. 

• The leadership skills. You have managed and developed a team throughout their employment, guiding their work to achieve objectives efficiently, effectively, and safely. You can influence without authority and work in partnership with teams, managers, and executives. You are highly collaborative and genuinely interested in understanding others, resolving conflict, removing roadblocks, and encouraging high-quality results. 

• The accountability. You think creatively and have an analytical approach to problem-solving, task, and time management. You can work alongside managers and plant floor staff to gain a deep understanding of the production floor. You can identify gaps and areas for increased efficiency and develop and implement changes and best practices, ensuring adoption and application. You work with a sense of urgency and enthusiasm, thrive in an evolving environment and step up to different daily challenges. You have the confidence to take new ideas forward and productively challenge the status quo. You can explain complex technical concepts to a non-technical audience, demonstrating business value and impact.  

Apply now.

At Skjodt-Barrett, we aim for diversity, equality, accessibility and inclusion in all of our operations and interactions. We welcome and appreciate candidates with a range of backgrounds and experiences. If you have 70% of the qualifications we are looking for and want to play an integral role in delivering innovative food product solutions, apply to express your interest. 

Please note:
We are currently working with external recruiting partners. If you are already engaged with one of our recruiting agencies, your application will be managed through them

What you can expect from our interview process:

An in-person interview consisting of a couple parts:  

• An introductory interview with the hiring manager 
• Plant Tour  
• Panel Interview with Indy Leadership team members including our Plant Manager, Plant Controller, and Training Supervisor 

Skjodt-Barrett welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Please let us know what accommodations you require across the selection process.

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