JOB OVERVIEW PNW

Veg Co dba NORPAC is seeking applications for an Assistant Quality Manager to join our quality department at our location in Brooks, just north of Salem, Oregon. This is a salaried position. This role supports the Quality Assurance Manager in overseeing food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance programs while providing leadership and guidance to QA personnel across all shifts. The position is responsible for maintaining and improving quality systems, HACCP and food safety programs, employee training, environmental monitoring, and product specifications. Key duties include investigating customer complaints and non-conformances, managing corrective and preventive actions, supporting audits and traceability programs, and ensuring accurate quality documentation and records. The role also drives continuous improvement by analyzing quality data, monitoring KPIs, and coordinating activities related to product holds, releases, and regulatory compliance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Support the Quality Assurance Manager in leading food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance programs across all shifts. Provide direction to QA supervisors and ensure consistent implementation of quality standards, GMPs, HACCP requirements, and food safety policies. Develop, maintain, and update quality procedures, training materials, food safety programs, and product specifications. Conduct employee onboarding and training, assess competency, and promote a culture of continuous improvement and food safety. Monitor facility sanitation, environmental conditions, and equipment design to ensure compliance with regulatory and customer requirements. Review microbiological and bacteriological testing results, implement corrective and preventive actions, and support environmental monitoring programs. Investigate customer complaints, product non-conformances, and quality incidents, ensuring timely resolution and documentation. Maintain calibration programs, records, certifications, and quality documentation. Serve as an active member of the Food Safety and HACCP teams, supporting program development, validation, updates, and record verification. Participate in customer, third-party, and regulatory audits, and assist with audit preparation and corrective action follow-up. Manage product hold inventory, product releases, non-conforming product disposition, and traceability activities, including mock recalls and traceback exercises. Evaluate incoming products and suppliers, generate grading reports, and coordinate corrective actions as needed. Generate KPI, compliance, and management reports to support performance monitoring and continuous improvement initiatives. Support new product setup, specification management, system updates, and other quality assurance projects. Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Biology, Microbiology, or a related field; or four years of recent, relevant quality/food safety experience in lieu of a degree. Strong working knowledge of quality and sanitation principles and practices. Three (3) years of experience in a quality supervisor role (5 years preferred), or equivalent transferable experience. Working knowledge of food microbiology and foodborne pathogens required. Ability to lead and supervise staff. Effective verbal and written English communication skills. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. Certified or able to obtain HACCP, PCQI, and Process Control certifications within three (3) months of hire. Intermediate fluency in using Microsoft applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Five (5) years of experience in a quality supervisor role, or equivalent transferable experience. Experience working on a food processing facility. Bilingual English/Spanish.

Work Environment:

Regularly works at a desk with desktop computing equipment. The role may need to be on the plant floor regular, which includes exposure to wet, humid, hot, or cold conditions and outdoor locations, high noise levels, and exposure to moving mechanical equipment, forklifts, steam lines, chemicals, and various systems. Requires strict adherence to all food safety, GMP, and sanitary design standards. Requires wearing PPE—including hairnets or beardnets and a hardhat—along with any additional protective equipment necessary for specific tasks.

Physical Demands:

Regularly requires standing and walking, occasionally requires bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing stairs and ladders, and working in elevated or confined spaces. Must be able to move throughout a large industrial food‑processing facility, including production floors, mechanical rooms, rooftops, utility areas, and areas with uneven terrain. Requires the ability to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 pounds and to use tools, components, and equipment that require manual dexterity and precise hand-eye coordination. Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus, and the individual must be able to hear alarms, equipment sounds, radio communication, and other auditory signals in a loud environment. Requires the ability to remain on one's feet for extended periods and perform physical tasks throughout a full shift, including off‑shift or irregular hours during peak seasons or emergency situations.

Mental Demands:

Work requires strong attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills. Work involves frequent interruptions, and interaction with internal teams and external customers. Must manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and maintain composure when handling complaints or urgent requests. Occasional stress may occur when managing urgent requests or deescalating concerns.

Communication Requirements:

Frequent interaction with internal teams and external customers via email and phone. Must demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Work Schedule:

May require evening, weekend, and some holiday work, and extended hours during production peaks.

Safety & Hazard Exposure:

Regular exposure to hazards typical of an industrial environment, including electrical systems, rotating equipment, pressurized vessels, heights, and chemical handling. Strict adherence to safety protocols, lockout/tagout procedures, and PPE requirements is essential.

Pay:

$71,500.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person