Manager, Operations Food

Company Description

We are SGS – the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

Job Description

Responsible for the implementation of primary goals, operating plans, policies, and short- and long-range objectives for the business unit.

• Ensures that the Quality Management System is implemented and maintained in accordance with the ISO 17025 standard
• Is knowledgeable of the scope of all processes under his/her supervision
• Maintains records and manages all aspects of testing activities
• Facilitates operational concerns
• Coordinates purchasing requests
• Manage operations to maintain or improve efficiency and quality of laboratory
• Ensures accurate and consistent testing procedures
• Hires personnel and oversees all employee related issues
• Determines technical training needs of personnel
• Conducts employee performance reviews and provides ongoing guidance for continued employee development
• Maintain a fair and positive work environment
• Represents organization to major customers, government agencies, and the public
• Communicate operational difficulties and delays to Client Service Department
• Communicate necessary changes or information to department personnel.
• Responds to customer inquiries and provides professional advice
• Ensures that all health and safety regulations are followed
• Contribute to and maintain an active safety program for all departments
• Organize and maintain documentation of all laboratory quality activities
• Report on the performance of the Quality Management System to senior management for review and as a basis for improvement of the system.
• Ensure compliance to ISO 17025 standards are maintained
• Performs other duties as assigned.

LEADERSHIP/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides guidance and/or leadership to others, including indirect reports, peers, or managers
• Has hiring and terminating responsibilities
• Supervises others

JOB COMPLEXITY

• Ability to provide authoritative opinions in the area of expertise and finds new and innovative ways of improving production efficiencies.
• Work toward continuous improvement in production and to improve efficiency without compromising data quality.
• Solves day-to-day production and process problems, providing technical and operational leadership and guidance to all staff.
• Interprets, evaluates and analyzes problems that do not conform to established practices and precedents. Requires creativity within prescribed limits in developing new ideas or techniques to resolve problems. Knowledge in a technical field/discipline or profession.

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

• Decisions on the day-to-day operation of the branch have significant impact on the customer satisfaction with respect to testing results, timeliness of data and on-going relationships.
• Responsible for the financial budget of the branch and to the overall revenue and local contribution of the business line.
• Ineffective actions with respect to health and safety and quality could have a negative and costly impact to the branch and business line.
• Actions and decisions of the position have clear impact on a number of departments (results, schedules, performance) with direct potential impact on customers.

ANALYTICAL THINKING/PROBLEM SOLVING

• Identify and implement process improvements to improve efficiency and add capacity.
• Identify the root cause for non-conformances and implement sound corrective actions.
• Provide technical input for customers.
• Position requires independent thinking within company policies, procedures and standards available to accomplish objective. Recommended policy decisions are subject to managements' review prior to implementation. The responsibility of "what -todo" is distinctly stated; the "how-to" achieve the objective is largely determined by the employee's own judgment.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• 4-year degree in Microbiology/Chemistry/Food Science or a related field or equivalent work experience Required
• 7+ years previous experience in operations/ management role Required
• 3 plus years in a supervisory role Required
• Knowledge of LIMS Required
• Effective problem prevention and problem-solving skills. Required
• Written and verbal communication skills necessary to cross mu