Quality Lead - Johor Bahru, Malaysia - JACOBS DOUWE EGBERTS

Quality Lead - Johor Bahru, Malaysia - JACOBS DOUWE EGBERTS

The Quality Lead role is an integral member of the Plant Operations team with specific focus on key quality measures, packaging/process related quality issues, process control, quality systems, and improvement projects. From raw materials to finished products, the role will use excellence in quality engineering and problem solving to improve plant performance and associate engagement.

• Maintain and improve/automate/digitize as needed, the Quality Control Management System (QCMS) to manage product quality and conformance in accordance with JDE guidelines and product specifications.
• Ensure Food Safety of all manufactured products by implementing the relevant JDE and legal/certification requirements and by continuous verification of the compliance and effectiveness of installed systems.
• Provide expertise and timely support to all functions with regard to Quality, Product Safety and technical issues arising in Operations during day-to-day business.
• Lead/participate in continuous improvement initiatives against Quality KPI's (consumer, trade and/or customer complaints, Right First Time (RFT) and specification critical to quality product and process parameters).
• Lead corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) arising from deficiencies in product conformance (RFT), audits, and Quality Incidents.
• Implement Statistical Process Control where appropriate to improve compliance to specification measured by capability indices for critical to quality product and process parameters.
• Embed the use of problem-solving and progressive quality tools including root cause analysis (RCA), Kaizen, FMEA by providing training and evaluation of application.
• Participate in plant initiatives representing quality function to assure quality risk assessment and mitigation plans are considered to guarantee a successful start-up and transfer to operations.
• Liaise effectively with external vendors as part of vendor management program with a focus on reducing vendor non-conformities which may impact manufacturing efficiency and waste.
• Check compliance to standards by regular GMP, HACCP, Halal and internal audits.
• Lead the continuous improvement on GMP, sanitation and zoning.
• Support JDE internal and vendor management program as qualified auditor.
• Leading one of the main Quality Work Process – Incoming Quality & Laboratory Management.
• Assist Quality Manager in the grooming and capability building of the overall motivation & effective Quality Team.
• Represent Quality in the overall project execution from the start (design stage to the commercialisation stage).
• Reinforces Supplier Quality Performance for a long-term business partnership with Quality & Food Safety being the top priority.
• Oversees the Quality Loss Analysis, through end-to-end Supply Chain within the JDE Johor QMS/FSMS.
• Reinforces the Customer-led Quality Focus in the supported organisation and its sustainability of business.
• Lead the automation/digitalisation program of Quality Plan which aligned with the Global Quality Systems (Key Super User: SAP, SafeFood360, Hamilton Grant etc).
• Support Manufacturing Operating System (MOS) activities to deliver Food Safety/Quality Culture engagement and ongoing improvements. Verify implementation of actions including lessons learned from other manufacturing plants. Drive horizontal expansion of improvement ideas in the plant across lines and embed in OPLs or standards.

Minimum Qualifications:

Degree (Bachelors or higher) in Food Technology, Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering or relevant vocational experience. Languages: Local – fluent; English - intermediate.

• 8 to 12 years' experience in a Quality Engineering/Food Safety role in the FMCG, Food or Process Industry. Good appreciation of food manufacturing environment and the quality challenges within it.
• Knowledge of quality and food safety standards and practices (ISO/ FSSC 22000, IFS, HACCP, GMP).
• Background/working experience in coffee and tea manufacturing would be an advantage.
• People Manager – where he/she used to manage a Quality/Food Safety practitioners and not a sole contributor.
• Good organizational & project management skills.
• Good communication and networking skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high accuracy and decision quality.
• Ability to perform effective risk assessment and evaluate impact to business.
• Must have proven stakeholder management skills and be able to communicate at Senior levels across the business at a Technical Level.
• Key knowledge of the National and/or EU Food Safety regulations.
• Extended knowledge in statistical applications, Statistical Process Control and Digitization/automation of quality control tests.
• Timely Decision Making & Effective Communication.
• Exposed/Experienced in Lean Manufacturing/Lean Six Sigma modules to enhance/elevate the Operational Quality systems. A yellow/green belt would be an advantage.
• A team player who can engage fully with personnel at all levels of the business.
• Project management.
• Passionate, energetic & innovative work culture.
• Flexibility with working hours.

Lead Quality to excellence in food manufacturing by maintaining quality control systems, ensuring food safety, and driving continuous improvement.