QUALITY ASSURANCE: FOOD QUALITY Control (Quality Assurance/Market Basket Manager)

AVENDRA is North America's leading procurement services company serving hospitality-related industries.  Avendra's 4,500+ customers gain access to contracts leveraging $3 billion of annual purchases, expert advisory services and in-depth purchasing data and analysis.  Through Avendra, customers obtain substantial savings on their purchases and other value added services to improve their operations and bottom line results. 

Position Summary: the ideal candidate is someone familiar with a wide variety of products in distribution for Avendra. This manager will report into two organizations (Quality Assurance and Sales Analysis) aligned with the responsibilities specified in the role.The Quality Assurance and Sales Analysis organizations seek a dynamic candidate with QA expertise, deep product knowledge and strong analytical abilities. The manager will perform QA activities and play a lead role in the Market Basket (product and pricing analysis) process. The manager will be accountable for managing multiple projects concurrently. The manager will thrive in a fluid, process-driven environment where detail orientation and follow-through are essential. Able to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization, this manager will exercise outstanding interactive skills. Must have at least 3 years of experience in a quality assurance discipline; preferably working with foods. Familiarity with hospitality is a plus.

 The Quality Assurance/Market Basket Manager is the scientific expert responsible for: 1) Assuring Food Safety and Product Quality programs, and 2) Acting as the Lead for the Market Basket Analysts in day-to-day operations. 

 Responsibilities 

• Quality Assurance
  • The QA/Market Basket Manager is fully responsible for the management and administration of all quality programs in their assigned region.
    • Perform Food Safety audits utilizing industry specific expertise to ensure the safety and quality of processes and products.
    • Conduct critical Supply Chain assessments on Avendra suppliers in the form of Meet-the-Truck Audits.
    • Evaluate, consult and follow through on all critical observances in Avendra and third-party based audits.
  • Resolve quality and safety-related issues.
  • Act as a Product Category Expert on an assigned category.
  • Perform Product Quality Evaluations to evaluate adherence to product specifications.
  • Conduct product rationalizations as directed by either the VP of Quality Assurance or one of the QA Directors.
  • Research and keep current on the latest Food Safety crises as assigned by the VP of Quality Assurance.
  • Accomplish other objectives as specified by the regional Director of Quality Assurance.
• Market Basket Team
  • Act as Lead for Market Basket Resources
    • Provide guidance and support to the Item Level Analysts.
    • Assign market baskets to available resources based on prioritization set by Sales, Discovery and the Director.
    • Act as key communication point between Analysts and Management regarding process and market basket system issues and improvements.
  • Market Basket Review – The QA/Market Basket Manager will play a primary role in reviewing the quality of market baskets as they are developed and providing feedback on specific improvements.
  • Market Basket Development – The QA/Market Basket Manager will be one of the pooled resources responsible for developing market baskets.  This includes product matching and pricing, item research and interfacing with key resources including Contracting, Sales, Discovery and suppliers.

Role Requirements

The QA/Market Basket Manager must:

• Experience in quality assurance and a BA/BS degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Restaurant Management, Food Microbiology, or related field.
• Comfortable working in an empowered, independent atmosphere.
• Ability to make key decisions independently and communicate well both verbally and in writing.
• Possess an aptitude for public speaking.
• Be able to travel forty percent of the time. 
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong at cross-functional relationship management.
• Strong analytical skills and very detail oriented.
• Facilitate multiple projects at the same time.
• Work with a team on a co-operative basis.
• Shows initiative and is resourceful

 Primary Competencies

• Adaptability/Flexibility
• Commitment to Quality/Excellence
• Communication
• Initiative and Impact
• Meet or exceed customer expectations
• Problem Solving
• Professionalism
• Role-Specific Expertise
• Teamwork and Collaboration 

Years of Relevant Experience

Minimum of 3 years of experience in a quality assurance discipline

 Education Requirements

• BA/BS degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Restaurant Management, Food Microbiology.  Graduate work is preferred

If you are interested in applying for this position, please apply directly through our company website www.avendra.com for consideration.