AddressQuality Assurance, standards, accreditation
Manufacturing, GMP, product R & D
Private scaling business, supporting growth
This well-established privately owned business, head-quartered in New Zealand, is growing it’s Australian presence at a fast rate. Priding themselves on providing the agricultural industry with a range of innovative, world-class quality products and consultative solutions, they are known for their customer centricity.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a business with a focus on growth in both its key areas as well as exploration into new and emerging markets. Due to the geographically dispersed locations of their facilities, offices and teams, this role can be based anywhere near a major airport, however ideally Brisbane, Auckland or Toowoomba.
The Quality Assurance Manager ANZ is a key driver of quality standards, testing, and Quality Assurance practices, and plays a critical role in shaping the organization's competitiveness and customer satisfaction relative to product quality. This position requires a strategic and process driven thinker with strong leadership and problem-solving skills, as well as a deep understanding of Quality Assurance best practices and attention to detail.
Key deliverables will include:
To review, manage and communicate the quality standards (by product) to ensure we are market leading for product quality and stand establishment in the customer’s eyes.
To manage the testing programme to ensure accurate quality information is available for all product lines from harvest through to customers via an integrated logistics strategy, infrastructure, and systems.
As an autonomous role reporting into the Lead of Production and Supply Chain ANZ you will ensure maintenance of ISO and ETS accreditation for production and supply chain functions, along with any other relevant process or Quality Assurance systems/schemes.
Key elements of the role include:
Strategy and Leadership
Contribute to the development of the Company's strategic plan, particularly in relation to improving quality (from field through to customer), and quality testing and assurance.
Develop long-term strategic business plans and detailed annual budgets for overall group involved in Quality Assurance activities.
Plan, direct and co-ordinate the Group Quality Assurance activities to ensure the achievement of short- and long-term objectives.
Prepare plans for enhancements to quality testing and information systems to promote greater internal visibility and awareness of product quality throughout the entire supply chain.
Review new/developing techniques for quality testing including improved IT systems to manage and communicate product quality.
Develop and establish a robust quality management system that is integrated with Production, Supply Chain, Product Management, Sales, Finance, Procurement, Logistics and Customer Service functions.
Lead and champion the continuous improvement culture within the Production and Supply Chain functions, including the leveraging of ISO and Excellence Through Stewardship (ETS) accreditations.
Product Quality Standards and Testing
Lead the regular review of quality standards and testing protocols for all products to ensure the balance of market leading quality while aiming to improve profitability.
Lead data analytics and metrics to identify trends, root causes of issues and areas for improvement.
Identify and establish optimal infrastructure and operating model/partner(s) to cost effectively and reliably operate the testing programme for all products.
Manage ongoing relationship with external testing providers to ensure optimal performance with respect to cost, service performance, and accuracy.
Product Quality Assurance and Quality Management System
Maintain and improve current quality management systems to ensure trust and reliability of production and Supply Chain processes and ultimately deliver optimum product quality to the customer.
Work closely with Supply Chain to ensure quality is managed across all inventory stages so customers receive product that will provide the expected performance, while also controlling product discards due to unacceptable quality.
Implement inventory control techniques to ensure that non-conforming products are not supplied to market, and that Supply Chain and customer service functions understand the quality of product that is dispatched.
Collaborate with product Production and Supply Chain teams in both Australia and New Zealand to maintain ISO and Excellence Through Stewardship (ETS) accreditation and determine if there is value to the business in expanding the scope of the current ISO accreditation.
Review and develop the customer complaint system as part of the quality management system to ensure that customer complaints are recorded, investigated, and improvements/mitigations implemented.
Oversee the internal audit process to ensure compliance with quality standards and identification of areas for improvement.
Human Resources Development
Manage and lead Quality Assurance staff selection, training, development, and utilisation.
Lead, develop and motivate staff, creating an internal environment that encourages and rewards superior performance.
Direct the Company's Quality Assurance Team to ensure they meet all targets and carry out their responsibilities to the required standards. This includes tactical support to the team to problem solve and help improve outcomes.
Statutory and Risk Commitments
Ensure all Quality activities comply with relevant Acts, legal demands, and ethical standards.
Direct, control and ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory matters relating to commercial activities.
Identify potential supply chain risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, including supply disruptions and geopolitical factors.
Develop and maintain contingency plans to ensure business continuity.
Skills, experience and personal attributes:
Graduation in Quality Assurance/Compliance related disciplines.
Incumbents should have a degree or diploma and experience in a Quality Assurance/Compliance management role.
Experience in Agriculture or commodities industry is desirable but not critical. History in pharma and biological industries could have relevance.
Strong analytical and commercial management experience.
Data driven decision maker, with science-based strategies for critical thinking.
Quality Management system experience.
Able and willing to travel extensively.
Computer literate with experience in core Microsoft office tools like Excel, Word, PowerPoint and PowerBI reporting.
ERP system experience would be beneficial but not critical (Microsoft D365 is the ERP system deployed).
Strong strategic capabilities coupled with superior business acumen and a customer focused approach and a genuine business partner.
A trustworthy, credible, and respected executive with a track record of setting and meeting commitments.
Change management experience, with a demonstrated track-record of successfully implementing change.
Ability to build positive working relationships, both internally and externally. A genuine team player.
A persistent, tenacious, and results oriented mind-set.
Problem-solving orientation and ability to think critically under pressure.
Some travel through ANZ will be required in year one. If you are not located in Brisbane, Auckland or Toowoomba a work from home scenario would be required. A market leading salary package and incentive will be offered for the successful candidate.
To be considered, please submit your resume and cover letter (Word format) by selecting the “apply now” function. Confidential enquiries can be made to Peter Starling, Senior Client Partner on 07 3305 5830.
