Guittard Chocolate Company is an American-based chocolate maker and has made the world’s best chocolate for five generations. We are the oldest continuously family-owned chocolate company in the United States. The company was founded in 1868 and is headquartered in Burlingame, California.
The Quality Control Manager provides hands-on leadership for the Quality Control team ensuring that raw materials, work-in-process materials, and finished products consistently meeting specifications regarding quality, food safety, customer, and regulatory requirements. The position oversees laboratory operations with four QC personnel, daily sensory evaluations, and continuous improvement initiatives. This position is a non-exempt, full-time, and fully benefited position reports to the Director of Quality and works closely with Production, Supply Chain, R&D, and QA to reduce deviation risks from quality and food safety standards and execute the corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
Responsibilities:
- Manage quality control personnel to provide effective coverage for all production shifts.
- Provide timely feedback and address performance concerns in accordance with company policy.
- Ensure consistent interpretation and application of specifications and procedures.
- Develop cross-training to strengthen technical capability and operational continuity.
- Conduct routine production floor inspections to verify process compliance and product conformance.
- Ensure incoming materials, in-process products, finished goods, packaging, and label are inspected, evaluated and released based on the approved specifications.
- Maintain effective control of nonconforming materials and products, including identification, segregation, documentation, risk evaluation, and final disposition.
- Ensure QC laboratories follow Good Laboratory Practices, approved methods, calibration requirements, preventive maintenance schedules, and housekeeping standards.
- Maintain adequate staffing, supplies, reagents, reference standards, and equipment readiness to support manufacturing schedules.
- Investigate quality deviations and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Partner with Operations to improve process capability and reduce defects.
- Support new product launches, trials, and process validations.
- Assist in customer complaint investigations and responses.
- Support supplier qualification and raw material approval programs.
- Other job-related duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or Biochemistry required
- 5+ years of working experience in quality control, quality assurance, or food safety required.
- 3+ years of team supervisory experience required.
- Certification in SQF or equivalent such as FSSC 22000.
- Certification in Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Skills
- Demonstrated success in managing objectives and team building.
- Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Skilled in analytical and problem-solving technique.
- Attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Experience with ERP and quality management systems preferred.
- Ability to stand for long periods.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work is performed in an area that is subject to both heat and cold. The noise level can be moderate to high. Employees are required to wear hair nets, safety shoes, and adhere to GMP guidelines.
Guittard Chocolate Company is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity.
Pay: From $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- quality control, quality assurance or food safety: 5 years (Required)
- management/supervisory: 3 years (Required)
- managing objectives and team building: 3 years (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- Safe Quality Food Certification (Required)
- Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
