Assistant Quality Manager

Job Title: Assistant Quality Manager
Work Location: UAE
Job Type: Full Term
Travel: Less than ‎10% required
About ekaterra
ekaterra is the biggest Tea Company in world today, with outstanding, purpose
driven brands such as Lipton, PG tips and Pukka. ekaterra was created as a
standalone "corporate startup" in ‎2021 when Unilever decided to separate the
Tea business so that it could achieve its highest potential. Following that
ekaterra is now owned by a private equity firm CVC and has come into its own
as an independent legal entity across the world.
ekaterra's Tea brands, geographies and Tea estates generate revenues in excess
of €‎2 billion - the company is growing and profitable with proven potential
both pre- and post-COVID-‎19. As a standalone entity, ekaterra remains number
one in the world and is even better positioned to lead the industry and take
full advantage of the opportunities in the category, with more focus and
entrepreneurship driving greater growth and value.
ekaterra's Mission is to Grow a World of Wellbeing... growth for everyone is
at the core of our business. We want to grow a better world of wellbeing
through the regenerative power of plants, for our consumers, farming
communities, employees and shareholders. We are also environmentally conscious
and are committed to giving back to the planet. Read more on our website:
https://ekaterratea.com/
As a proper corporate startup, we are seeking employees with a passion for
exciting entrepreneurial experiences, who respond to dynamic, ever-changing
challenges with agility and ownership and who want to pursue unique career
opportunities and play a part in building the bright future of this plant-
based company.
The qualities we look for
ekaterra is made up of a special blend of individuals which make our teams
exciting and diverse. To be part of our tea family, whether for a short period
or over the long term, we are looking for individuals who think Green and are
environmentally conscious, who understand the power of simplicity and who are
accountable for their actions. We want those who infuse mastery and passion in
everything they do to create great products and unforgettable experiences for
our consumers.
What's in it for you?
We believe that growth is for everyone; we believe in growing leaders who have
an owner's mentality. We believe in connections over hierarchies and
(work)levels. We have a 'corporate start-up' approach; we act with speed and
agility to tackle knotty business challenges.
Purpose of Role
The role is focused on managing quality control and assurance on the shop
floor, leading the site quality by maintaining the top standards as per
ekaterra standards and legal regulations, developing, implementing, and
managing quality in the product as well as in the process with managing all
stakeholders inside the factory, and developing suppliers, and clearly
understanding consumer needs, and translate it into product and process
requirements.
Key Accountabilities
* Provide quality leadership to understand customer needs and requirements to develop effective quality control systems and processes
* Ensure ekaterra QMS is implemented to assure consumer safety and the overall quality of the product.
* Develop, implement, and update site HACCP plan and pre-requisite programs.
* Create standards in accordance with industry standards and customer expectation
* Ensure that all in-house systems and procedures are updated, revised, and modified to meet the needs of internal and external customers.
* Monitor consumer complaints and quality incidents, follow up on RCA and corrective actions and propose all required changes to the process to prevent reoccurrence
* Understand human nature to implement the right tools to prevent human errors which can lead to quality defects.
* Identify and deploy the technical skill sets, resource levels, and systems to deliver projects, including the engagement of external resources as required
* Drive quality improvements by gathering teams from across functions and encouraging the concept of Kaizen.
* Develop, implement, and manage key performance indicators (KPIs)
* Manage, coach, and develop a future fit high performing Quality Operations team (white and blue collar) that meets agreed objectives, and which delivers best practice results, added value, and continuous improvements.
* Monitor the completion of tasks and ensure good performance and record on appropriate systems
* Support R&D in defining the process parameters and product characteristics for new innovations.
* Develop, implement, and manage a quality control plan.
* Plan, control, and improve the process through the implementation of process control.
* Monitor and improve lab activities.
* Prepare the annual Quality budget and forecasts and all Capital Expenditure proposals as well as ensure compliance with legal standards. Manage and control quality cost
* Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure optimal performance
* Ensure quality of incoming materials by developing the supplier capability to meet our standards by settings requirements for all materials and Liaise with them to resolve quality issues
* Work as part of the Management team to share ideas and improve operation, recommending, supporting, and implementing continuous improvement activities and process and procedure improvements to optimize results and improve quality of delivery, in line with quality standards requirements delivery in line with Company and Customer requirements
* Engage with regional and global quality teams to discuss improvements and ways of working and implementing changes on the ground.
* Ensures discipline in the use of SAP QM.
* Ensures and verifies ongoing compliance to ekaterra Quality Management Standards in third-party re‐packers and assemblers and Logistics operations through communication, self‐assessment activities, KPI monitoring, technical visits (as needed), and general oversight
* Provides Quality leadership to influence Quality culture through activities to create a passion for products and brands.
Qualifications & Experience Required
* Proper understanding of QMS, HACCP, food safety, and process control, with previous experience managing business quality systems.
* Experience working in a Factory and manufacturing environment.
* Led implementation of quality systems such as FSSC ‎22000, ISO ‎9001, and/or Halal with experience in external and internal auditing.
* +‎2 years of people management experience across white and blue collars.
* Ability to manage and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
* Strong problem-solving, team building, and decision-making skills.
* Engineering graduate.
* Basic knowledge of SCADA system & Microsoft Power Platforms
Other preferred qualifications & experience
* Six sigma/ lean green belt
* World-class Manufacturing or TPM knowledge
* Industrial engineering, supply chain or quality management masters holder.
* Previous experience working in production, engineering, or technical roles.
* Experience in implementing 4IR digital solutions in the manufacturing space.
Key Stakeholders
Internal:
* Factory team - Manufacturing, Technical, ManEx, etc.
* Customer Service team
* Logistics & Warehousing team
* Planning team
* Procurement team
* Marketing & Sales DBT teams
* Third Party Manufacturing team
* SC Finance team
* Global & regional teams
External:
* Third Party re‐packers, transportation providers, warehousing providers
* SASO, Service Providers, Business Partners
Excited about the Role?
Please apply online by clicking on "Apply" below. Your application will be
reviewed against our requirements. Should you not meet our immediate
requirements, your profile will be registered in our talent pool system and we
will match your profile to suitable future vacancies.
You will be able to access your status update through the candidate tracking
link.
Thank you for your interest and application.
ekaterra is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to
drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our
diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a
diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion
across the business. We are interested in every individual bringing their
'Whole Self' to work and this includes you! Therefore, if you require any
support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of
your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.
Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to
drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our
diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a
diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion
across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual
bringing their 'Whole Self' to work and this includes you! Thus if you require
any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time
of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment
journey.