Senior Manager Quality Assurance

Agropur

Lake Norden, SD

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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$124,200–$155,300 Per Year
SKILLS
Analysis Skills, Budgeting, Business Administration, Chemistry, Communication Skills, Continuous Improvement, Corrective and Preventative Action (CAPA) Systems, Cost Control, Disability Insurance, External Audit, Food Production, Food Science, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), Industry Standards, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Maintain Compliance, Mentoring, Microbiology, Microsoft Office, Operational Support, Performance Metrics, Problem Solving Skills, Process Improvement, Product/Service Launch, Profit & Loss, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Quality Management, Quality Monitoring, Regulations, Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Requirements, Research & Development (R&D), Resource Management, Risk Analysis, Risk Management, Root Cause Analysis, Six Sigma, Supply Chain, Team Lead/Manager, Time Management, Trend Analysis
LOCATION
Lake Norden, SD
POSTED
8 days ago

Job Type:

Regular

Invest in you, JOIN AGROPUR. We dairy you!

Reporting to the Site Director, the Senior Quality Manager (QA/QC) is accountable for the overall performance of the site’s quality operations, overseeing all quality systems, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives. This strategic leadership role plays a critical part in ensuring product excellence, audit readiness, and long‑term quality vision across the plant.

The Senior Quality Manager leads the QA/QC team while strengthening organizational structure, quality culture, and accountability across all functions. In a dynamic food manufacturing environment, this position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on operational performance, product integrity, and people development.

How Agropur invests in YOU:

  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short and Long-term Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) up to 7% company contributions
  • 3 weeks Paid Time Off
  • Paid holidays and 2 floating holidays
  • Paid parental leave
  • Advancement Opportunities
  • Salary range 007: $124,200 - $155,300 (Salary will be determined based on skills, education, training & experience related to the position)

What’s involved in this role:

  • Lead the development and execution of the plant’s comprehensive quality strategy, aligned with corporate objectives and industry standards
  • Oversee all QA/QC activities, ensuring compliance with GMP, HACCP, FSMA, GFSI, and internal quality systems
  • Supervise and mentor Quality Managers and quality leadership teams, building capability, ownership, and consistency across the department
  • Monitor key quality KPIs, identify trends, and lead structured root‑cause analysis initiatives to drive continuous improvement
  • Manage the site’s quality budget, ensuring optimal resource allocation to support operations and regulatory requirements
  • Collaborate cross‑functionally with Operations, R&D, and Supply Chain to support process reliability, cost‑saving initiatives, and new product introductions
  • Lead investigations related to deviations, escapes, or customer complaints, ensuring timely CAPA implementation and sustainable solutions
  • Act as the primary liaison during external audits and regulatory inspections, ensuring the site remains in a state of audit readiness
  • Support site improvement projects, ensuring compliance, risk analysis, proper execution, and on‑time delivery
  • Participate in site leadership meetings and provide strategic recommendations to enhance profitability, operational efficiency, and product quality

What you need to join our team:

  • Bachelor’s degree in food science, Chemistry, Microbiology, or related field (required); MBA preferred
  • Minimum 10 years of experience in quality management within food or manufacturing
  • Certifications required: HACCP, SQF Practitioner, or PCQI; Six Sigma preferred
  • Proven experience leading large teams and complex quality operations
  • Strong analytical thinking, problem‑solving, and risk management skills
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with senior leadership and regulatory bodies
  • High proficiency in quality management systems and Microsoft Office Suite
  • Demonstrated strategic mindset, leadership courage, and ability to drive sustainable improvements

Does this sound like you?
Are you up for the challenge? Apply now.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

AA/EEO – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

#LI-AL1

Agropur welcomes people from all backgrounds and origins. We are proud to be an employer with a diverse community and are committed to providing a respectful and inclusive experience for all employees and applicants. We will work with candidates who request accommodation. Please note that an adequate knowledge of French is required for positions in Quebec. Agropur uses artificial intelligence technology to assist our recruiters in screening, assessing, or selecting applicants for this position. 

In this text, the use of the masculine gender to designate persons is intended only to lighten the text.

About the Company

A

Agropur

Agropur is the chosen dairy manufacturer of some of the most prominent food, beverage and nutrition brands in the world.

Founded in 1938, Agropur is a top 20 global dairy producer with sales of $8.2 billion (CAN) in 2023. As North America’s largest whey protein manufacturer and producer of 1 billion pounds of quality, award-winning cheese per year, our seven US, SQF certified plants are partners with some of the most prominent brands in the world. Vertically integrated, Agropur provides future-forward solutions in cheese, ingredients, beverages and custom contract manufacturing.

Every day, we are helping food manufacturers deliver the best tasting, highest quality dairy products. Because better dairy means a better world.

COMPANY SIZE
5,000 to 9,999 employees
INDUSTRY
Food and Beverage Production
WEBSITE
https://www.agropur.com/us/