Quality Assurance Supervisor

Location: Windsor, ON, Canada

Company Name: Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd.

Hiram Walker and Corby’s portfolio of owned brands include some of the most renowned brands in Canada, including JP Wisers, Canadian Whisky, Lamb's Rum, and Polar Ice Vodka.   Corby distributes leading Pernod Ricard international brands such as ABSOLUT Vodka, Chivas Regal, Glenlivet, Ballantine’s Scotch Whiskies, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Beefeater Gin, Malibu Rum, Kahlua Liqueur, Mumm Champagne, Jacob's Creek, Wyndham Estate and Stoneleigh wines.  An overview of the entire Corby portfolio shows over 5,000,000 cases sold annually, with Corby being a significant importer of wines and having an approximate 21 percent market share of spirit sales in Canada.  

We were named one of Canada’s Best Workplaces for 7 years by The Great Place to Work® Institute Canada, based on employee survey results and an audit of workplace excellence and people management practices. 

Working here is all about igniting conviviality in all that we do. Derived from the French word convivialité, it means human connection, authenticity, friendly, and jovial. We are in the business of creating moments that matter, starting with how we work! Let your ambition lead you toward outstanding opportunities with progressive rewards. For insight on our heritage please click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaXS-oxdU5U&feature=player_embedded  

Position Summary

Reporting to the Quality Assurance Manager, the Supervisor’s role is to assist in the planning, develop and implementation of processes, and procedures for ensuring compliance with quality and food safety regulations set by applicable governing bodies and Pernod Ricard. Responsibilities include communication and coordination with management staff, manufacturing employees, warehouse employees, shipping employees, and customers to address and resolve regulatory compliance issues.

The Supervisor will work closely with the QA Manager to establish and support systems to ensure quality manufacturing of products as defined under Good Production Practices (GPP). One in this role must be able to communicate, educate, and support the quality requirements to all operational departments. They must also appropriate compliance to all relevant regulatory requirements associated with the manufacturing, testing, packaging, storage, and testing of products.

In addition, the supervisor will be responsible for handling the day-to-day lab analysis to support production in all areas and supporting the point person liaison between Quality Engineer and suppliers to improve incoming suppliers. It is required that the successful candidate must possess the ability to build and maintain positive relationships across departments and with regulatory bodies.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance of Occupational Health & Safety Act (section 25, 26, 27, and 28) per Hiram Walker & Son’s Ltd Policy- Management-Supervision-Worker Safety Responsibilities
• Supervise and direct quality assurance technicians who are responsible for enforcing Good Manufacturing Practices and other quality-related policies to meet product quality standards
• Review Production and Quality Records and other manufacturing-related documents to verify compliance and record keeping for all mandated manufacturing processes, quality checks, testing, sampling, and sanitation activities
• Audit quality control of raw materials, packaging components, labels, and finished products to ensure compliance with established specifications and regulatory standards
• Follow up with implemented programs (GMPs, HACCP, Allergen Control, Cleaning and Sanitation, Pest Control, Equipment Calibration, ISO standards, etc.) to ensure compliance
• Assist in the coordination of testing results involving finished products, raw materials, and packaging components and the appropriate release and hold programs associated with these materials
• Oversee the “On Hold” product program, including the status, release, and destruction of “Rejected” products
• Assist in investigating and correcting quality-related issues (including customer complaints) through collaboration with other departments
• Make proactive recommendations and offering/presenting solutions to the Quality and Governance team to improve quality and work efficiency
• Assist in the implementation of policies, operating procedures, quality systems and programs which ensure proper testing, evaluation, inspection, and technical support to meet product quality standards
• Participate in all regulatory, third party and customer audits and inspections, and corrective action response
• Provide strategic and operational leadership to QA team of 4 ensuring that the correct technical support to site is provided so that products released to market are safe for consumers, meet all legal and customer specifications and are right the first time
• Lead proactive initiatives and root cause analysis for any Quality non conformances
• Provide support to production as a package expert to ensure package requirements are being met
• Partner with procurement and suppliers to ensure performance measures are in place for incoming supplies and contractual agreements are being met
• Audit supplier performance, initiate and follow through on corrective actions to ensure they are effective and sustainable
• Partner with New To Market to facilitate required trials/testing as they relate to production and new product launches in Windsor and related co-pack sites
• To insure that all QA activities comply with ISO operating standards – 9001, 14000, 18000, 22000

Required Skills & Abilities

• Food/Beverage Chemistry and Analysis; Spirits Technology and Science; Microbiology, Sensory Science
• ISO 9000, 22000 Knowledge
• Instrument Analysis
• Strong interpersonal/Influencing/Problem Solving Skills
• Leadership and team building skills
• Packaging Quality
• 6-10 years equivalent experience

Functional Competencies

- Risk Management:

• Participates in risks analysis and assessment and recommends mitigation action plans within his/her scope
• Ensures the implementation of recovery plans
• Keeps him/herself regularly informed of legal data evolutions within his/her area of expertise and learns from his/her researches
• Understands compliance with norms and local regulations and ensures their implementation
• Implements risk management systems and processes within his/her scope

- Operations Performance Optimization:

• Demonstrates a sound understanding of processes’ impacts on overall operations performance (including financial aspects)
• Monitors operations key performance indicators (e.g., OEE, OTIF, yield, cost per case…)
• Identifies and analyzes complex situations by looking at multiple causes and effects, and creates pragmatic improvement plans
• Solves complex issues within his/her own area and leads teams in continuous improvement

- Operations Planning Optimization:

• Knows and/or utilizes appropriately key planning concepts and tools
• Analyzes demand forecasts and identifies gaps with existing stocks or knows related key concepts
• Identifies impacts on physical flows (sequencing, planning, …) and escalates as needed

- Production/ Process Management:

• Implement actions plans and processes to drive improvement in KPIs
• Understands the full production process from start to finish and how they interact and impact on each other
• Able to implement new production processes and ways of working
• Is able to describe upstream & downstream production processes connected to his/her activity
• Ability to use a variety of more advanced problem solving tools & techniques

- Procurement:

• Demonstrates an overall understanding of purchasing process, key concepts and internal policies
• Prepares technical specifications and translates them into technical requirements by integrating and challenging all available information
• Has a broad overview of main suppliers on his/her domain

- Physical Asset Management:

• Properly uses assets and demonstrates an overall understanding of assets’ optimum conditions (productivity)
• Makes critical analysis of equipment performance / non performance
• Is able to make evolve and to adapt an equipment in line with business evolutions
• Fixes basic problems related to assets
• Uses and understands information systems within his/her scope

- Creativity & Innovation:

• Has a broad overview of the market (main actors, products, trends…) and internal constraints and opportunities
• Demonstrates an openness to new ideas, ways of working
• Exposes the business  to new ideas
• Implements minor innovations with no additional resources, budgets or impacts on external stakeholders

- Business & Financial Acumen:

• Demonstrates an overall understanding of  company’s vision, priorities and financial objectives
• Has a basic knowledge of local organizations and functions
• Demonstrates an understanding of costs and cash drivers

- Customer Service & Quality Orientation:

• Ensures adequate quality and service management system are in place, recommends improvements aiming at improving customers satisfaction and alignment between their expectations and the site’s capabilities
• Recommends customer service and quality measurement indicators evolutions
• Designs preventive and corrective action plans in order to ensure compliance
• Acts as an ambassador for customer and quality orientation

- Project & Change Management:

• Uses projects/change initiatives management tools (e.g, planning, SWOT, action plans, PM software...)
• Takes personal responsibility for communicating the details and reasons for change  at a functional / department level
• Leads the implementation of new projects/change initiatives to improve operations’ efficiency, ensuring project governance (resources, timing, costs and risks)
• Monitors the expected results in line with objectives (timing, cost, quality, etc...)

- Communication & Relationship Building:

• Demonstrates awareness to communicate with different groups and individuals to create business benefit, seeks out opportunities for cross-functional collaborations
• Identifies and proactively develops strong business relationships (internal or external)
• Builds respect and credibility
• Is competent in various communication media

Leadership Competencies:

- Strategic Vision:

• Proactively participates in activities/projects that involve change
• Translates objectives and plans into effective tactical actions
• Continually expands internal relationships to include additional key partners; begins to build external relationships
• Demonstrates an understanding of the various business areas and functions at Pernod Ricard (e.g., brand companies, market companies, regions)

- Entrepreneurship:

• Proposes new ideas/methods on how to improve performance
• Maintains a positive, can-do attitude even during difficult times
• Influences others to gain support for an idea or cause

- Results Orientation:

• Assigns tasks and accountabilities for work outputs to the most appropriate individuals, when needed
• Displays a sense of urgency in accomplishing goals and takes corrective actions to ensure results
• Maintains composure and high-performance standards in a challenging environment
• Achieves own individual's objectives, applying professional excellence standards, and delivers high quality work

- Live the Values:

• Maintains and actively promotes the highest professional standards and translates values into understandable behaviors for others ​
• Demonstrates commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) priorities by promoting Group and local initiatives
• Establishes a mutual trust environment by communicating in an honest, straight forward and transparent manner with colleagues at all levels
• Recognizes, rewards and celebrates individual success and appreciates the contribution of others

- Team Management:

• Communicates in a way that motivates team members
• Facilitates the process of effective decision making among team members
• Encourages teamwork and collaboration by promoting openness and dialogue

- People Development:

• Actively participates in creating motivating and realistic development and career plans for people
• Provides routine instructions and performance feedback to others
• Learns about Pernod Ricard’s resources and processes for identifying and selecting talent

Education

- Required:

• Bachelor's Degree, Food Science/Chemistry

- Preferred:

• Masters Degree, Food Science/Chemistry

Financial Responsibility

• May track or report data and handle administrative tasks

We welcome and encourage applications from individuals from all groups, including Indigenous, women, visible minorities, and persons with disabilities, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, creed, family status, national origin, age, and gender.    

Pernod Ricard and its Canadian Affiliates Corby Spirit and Wine Limited, and Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd. are committed to providing accessible employment practices.  Should you require accommodation during any phase of the recruitment process or wish to view our accommodation policies, please contact the Human Resources Department at [email protected].  For Ontario Applicants, our practices are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. 

Job Posting End Date:

Target Hire Date:

2024-10-15

Target End Date: