Quality Systems Manager

Founded in 1988 in Bend, Oregon, Deschutes Brewery has been pushing the craft beer movement forward for more than three decades. Today, we're proud to be the 6th largest independent craft brewery in the United States, with a reputation built on innovation, quality, and a whole lot of passion for producing a great product. Deschutes continues to grow, with a footprint in all 50 states one of the fastest growing non-alcoholic portfolio's in the country. We've also partnered with brands including Patagonia Provisions, Boneyard Beer and PartyBomb, a new-to-world flavored malt beverage. From hop-forward classics to creative seasonal releases, award winning non-alcoholic beers to flavor forward malt beverages, we're driven by one simple goal: brew damn tasty beverages that bring people together. If you're looking to do meaningful work with people who care deeply about their craft -and know how to have fun along the way- Deschutes Brewery is a place where you can grow and make an impact.

We are looking for an experienced Quality Systems Manager to join our team in Bend, Oregon! The Quality Systems Manager provides company-wide leadership and direction for all quality assurance, quality control, food safety, and food defense functions. This position directs, advises, and supports Quality staff at all brewery and co-packing facilities to ensure adherence to Deschutes Brewery's high standards for all products. The role will have contact with customers and manage governmental and third-party audit programs. The Quality Systems Manager will also lead the Consumer Service/Field Quality program and provide technical-scientific support to Sales, R&D, Purchasing, Brewing, and Packaging Teams. This person sets goals, monitors progress, and fosters an environment of teamwork and continuous improvement. The Quality Systems Manager is a member of the Operational Leadership Team and reports to the Director of Operations.

What You'll Do:

• Champion companywide Quality initiatives that ensure high quality and consistency of Deschutes Brewery products at all locations.
• Responsible for implementing, maintaining, and auditing the Deschutes Brewery Quality Management System throughout company operations.
• Work closely with Procurement and Operations Teams in managing Supplier Approval Program and selecting new vendors. Set quality parameters or standards regarding working with new vendors. Supplier quality programs (COAs, audits, risk assessments).
• Responsible for qualification programs and quality performance for all raw materials in both brewing and packaging.
• Ensure companywide adherence with GMP, Sanitation, Food Safety, Food Defense, Food Fraud, and HACCP programs.
• Lead the QA, Sensory, Consumer Service, & Sanitation teams. Prioritize goals, coach and mentor staff, team development, hiring decisions, and performance management.
• Provide support and technical assistance to the R&D program including the production scale up process through lab and sensory data analysis.
• Manage Nonconformity, Process Change, and Consumer Complaint programs, utilizing data to drive RCA / RCFA and Continuous Improvement Practices
• Determine specifications for finished goods, raw ingredients, and packaging materials through collaboration with Operations Leadership and application of statistical process control.
• Provide technical quality related support for all brewery expansion and improvement projects.
• Responsible for meeting all state, domestic, and international government requirements associated with food safety, food defense, food fraud, and technical enforcement.
• Create annual budget and manages financial performance of Quality teams.
• Represent Deschutes brewery in industry events, conferences, and trade organizations like MBAA, BA, and ASBC.
• Manage regulatory pressure, audit stress, and product risk decision-making while maintaining a consistent data supported approach.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Who You Are:

• Results-oriented professional, combining world-class manufacturing expertise with the business insight to proactively support future organizational growth
• Strong communicator with a history of building productive relationships across diverse teams and personalities
• Strategic leader with a proven ability to drive continuous improvement across brewing, packaging, and quality processes to enhance consistency, efficiency, and demand fulfillment.

Required Education, Experience & Attributes:

• Bachelor's degree in Fermentation Science or a degree in science with comparable specialized training in brewing science.
• A minimum of 10 years of practical, professional quality assurance, quality control, food safety experience.
• Experience navigating third party, state, domestic, and international government requirements associated with food safety and technical enforcement.
• Solid working knowledge of Food Safety, QA/QC, Statistics, Six Sigma, HACCP, HARPC, GMP's, Environmental Monitoring, FSMA, Food Defense, Food Fraud, PCQI, and Project Management preferred.
• Knowledge of, and ability to navigate, Data Management, ERP, LIMs and Financial Management systems.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

• Prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing at a desk and working on a computer, requiring close vision computer work and reading.
• Work is done in a mix of office environment, lab environment, and brewery production environment
• Travel may be required for training, auditing, industry conferences, or other related events.
• Occasional exposure to noise levels requiring hearing protection in designated areas
• Must be able to lift up to 35 lbs.