Own Brand Quality Assurance Product Quality Mgr I

Responsibilities:

H-E-B is one of the nation's largest, independently owned food 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 fresh and shelfstable food, foodservice, and products sold in our Health & Wellness and other consumer product areas. 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, or related field
• 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 management

• Engages within cross-functional team in the qualification and maintenance of Own Brand products or products perceived as H-E-B brand

• Conducts risk assessments to determine risk levels associated with suppliers, products, processes, and projects; communicates potential/realized risk to leader

• Utilizes project management skills to advance development and maintenance projects by following established quality processes for supplier assessments, product specifications, and product approvals

• Performs 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 scope

• Leads 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 team

• Ensures product specifications are adequately defined to meet customer/business requirements and production is executed based on the product design

• Collaborates with product development and suppliers to ensure products meet with the intended lifecycle or shelf-life requirements

• Verifies compliance of facility level claims such as gluten free and allergen programs are in accordance with regulatory guidance and H-E-B standards

• Determines supplier compliance with FSMA, CPSIA, DOE, and other applicable international, federal, state, and local regulations in assigned categories

• Ensures supplier compliance to H-E-B's requirements for site security, social responsibility, and animal welfare as applicable

• Conducts facility assessments of existing/current manufacturing OB products to verify they continue to meet H-E-B's Product Safety and Quality Standards

• Conducts maintenance/brand health assessments of products to hold suppliers accountable to consistently meet product specifications and standards

• Manages investigation of product or facility related issues and ensures suppliers conduct effective root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action

• Escalates supplier/facility performance risks to leader to determine QA recommendations to stakeholders on facility status, product withdrawals, recalls, disposition and supplier performance action plans

• Serves 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 standards

• Builds professional working relationships with suppliers while holding them accountable to H-E-B standards

• Maintains strong relationships and works collaboratively with Procurement, Product Development, Customer Insights, Own Brand, Sourcing, Compliance, Regulatory and other areas to achieve business goals and objectives

• Collaborates with all areas of the QA organization to continuously improve execution of programs and great products
• Applies knowledge and research to assigned categories in these areas:

o Emerging risks and governing agencies related to assigned business categories

o Current/proposed local, state federal and international regulations that may affect assigned business categories, including import compliance

o Prerequisite programs, including integrated pest management, GMPs, allergen control programs, prevention of foreign material contamination, master sanitation programs, product fraud, preventive equipment maintenance

o Statistical tools / statistical process control (SPC)

• Supports implementation of department processes, standards, policies, and projects in a timely manner
• Follows cost savings and reduction measures for assigned area
• May perform Product Quality Technologist tasks as needed

What is your background?

• A bachelor's degree in food science, physical, life, or applied science, such as engineering, or related field (master's / graduate degree preferred)
• 5+ years of related experience
• 2+ years of experience in quality systems auditing
• Experience working in a team environment and influencing business decisions
• Experience in quality assurance in a manufacturing setting (preferred)
• Experience in retail or consumer products (preferred)
• Industry-specific certifications / training based on area(s) of responsibility

Do 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 auditing
• Ability to conduct product safety risk assessments to ensure due diligence to local, state, and federal requirements
• Understanding of GFSI foundational principles, related scheme requirements and/or industry specific requirements
• Ability to manage multiple priorities/deadlines and shift focus between tasks; attention to detail
• Ability to collaborate, solve problems cross-functionally, and provide proactive solutions with limited direction or input
• Ability to provide data to stakeholders to influence business decisions
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong verbal/written communication skills that translate on an international scale

• Ability to work independently and communicate with leader as needed

• Ability to develop strong knowledge of H-E-B systems related to supplier / product / project information, and inventory management

• Proficiency in MS Office applications

• Proficiency in planning/scheduling tools

Can you...

• Function in a fast-paced, retail office environment
• Walk for extended periods
• Work extended hours
• Travel (up to 30%) by car or plane with overnight stays

12-2024