Join our team!

The Quality Assurance Manager will collaborate with our Product and Production teams to continuously improve processes that help drive seed production efficiency and accuracy throughout the entire life-cycle of our products. If being part of the organic and diversified agriculture revolution and building a quality career with an independent seed business interests you, apply today.

Who Are We?   

At Albert Lea Seed House, we are committed to providing high quality organic and conventional non-GMO seed and helping farmers succeed. Independent-minded farmers and dealers rely on us as a friendly source for practical information and farm-proven products that drive purposeful results.

We provide a diverse, whole-farm product offering that drives year-round production and supports better soil health for both organic and conventional farming. Offering a broad lineup of products and supporting diversified farming has been important to us since 1923, and we continue that tradition with pride. Our branded product lines include Blue River organic corn, soybean, and alfalfa and Viking non-GMO corn, soybean, and alfalfa. Albert Lea Seed also offers a quality lineup of alfalfa, cover crops, forages, and small grains. For more than 100 years, our independent farm seed company has grown to meet the ever-changing needs of American farmers, their families, and communities. 

What You’ll Do 

• Lead development, implementation, and continuous improvement of processes driving expected product quality outcomes. Including but not limited to quality standards, labeling, sampling and testing, compliance, inspections, and Labelers licensing reporting. 
• Provide Quality Assurance leadership within the organization.  
• Work with the implementation team to maximize the power of our new ERP system to improve transparency and efficiency for co-workers, dealers, and customers. 
• Participate in development of organic systems plan and maintenance of organic certification. 
• Ensure quality department staff understand their roles, company expectations, quality processes, and product specifications.  
• Lead staff training when appropriate to ensure staff members understand quality standards and procedures. 
• Manage planning and budgeting for quality assurance in collaboration with Operations Leader. 
• Provide Quality Assurance inventory reporting. 
• Perform and ensure all quality management activities are completed on package inventory, including but not limited to: 
• Bulk inventory receipt management. 
• Seed Testing & Quality Assurance  
• Manage Seed Labeling & Compliance 
• Ensure compliance with the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association including bulk certificates, tag tracking, tag reconciliation, submission of necessary forms and reports and participate in yearly audit.   
• Processing Samples & Quality Data in samples from vendor, grower, processor, mixing, mill and final products to ensure that the correct quality checkpoints are met and appropriate file samples are retained. 
• Code inventory with status updates in inventory. 

What Skills You Need 

• Demonstrate the ability to plan, prioritize and organize to effectively manage multiple projects and activities with minimal direction.  Respond to change in a flexible manner to meet evolving department needs. 
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing – is comfortable and effective at speaking to groups of employees.  Is cooperative, accommodating and exhibits a customer service attitude. 
• Exhibit a high degree of ethical conduct and discretion. Exercise good judgement and always exemplify professional behavior with accountability, integrity and follow-through. 
• Strong desire to work with a team to build processes that harness the power of our new integrated ERP. 
• Remain current on all required training and certifications. 
• Adhere to department procedures regarding punctuality and attendance and exhibit flexibility and cooperation with shift scheduling. 
• Support the Albert Lea Seed House mission. 

Education, Credentials and Experience 

• 3+ years total industry experience with direct experience in the agricultural and/or Seed production industry, with seed production location experience preferred. 
• Bachelor’s degree with focus in agronomy, engineering, quality assurance, business, biology, or life sciences. 
• Knowledge of the principles and practical applications associated with seed production operations.  
• Demonstrates ability to use metrics to guide continuous improvement of the quality management system. 
• Computer proficiency in MS office products. Experience with seed quality software preferred. 
• Fluent English language speaking, writing, and reading is required. 
• Strong organization and communication skills, attention to detail and ability to set appropriate boundaries with staff and customers. 
• Forklift operation certified or be willing to become certified. 
• Position will be located in Albert Lea, MN at Albert Lea Seed House, with travel occasionally required. 

Benefits 

• Competitive starting wage commensurate with education and experience. 
• Annual bonuses. 
• Full benefits package including: health insurance 401(k) profit sharing plan, paid holidays, paid time off, life insurance, dental and vision insurance, PTO, and Sick time. 
• We value our employee’s lives away from work; we offer paid maternity and paternity leave, paid volunteer days, professional development opportunities, and flexible scheduling to support family life.  
  

Location

• Due to the nature of this role, it is based on site at our main location in Albert Lea, MN.
• Applicants must be located near or willing to commute or relocate to Albert Lea, MN.

To apply for any of our open positions, please complete an application (feel free to include a resume) and send to nicole@alseed.com.