Job Description

Patco Brands is one of the fastest-growing beverage companies in the United States. Independently owned, Patco has established itself by using 100% Blue Weber Agave and a proprietary process to innovate within the fast-growing ready-to-drink spirits category.

Patco is a maker of margaritas, tequila, hard seltzers, Irish cream liqueur, and other spirits under our own brands and for private labels. Our own brands and private labels, with nationwide distribution, include:

· Rancho La Gloria Ready to Drink Margaritas 

· Rancho La Gloria Ranch Water 

· Big Sipz

· Kirkland Signature Tequila 

· Kirkland Signature Hard Seltzers

· Dough Ball Whiskey

Patco products are sold in every major retailer, including Costco, H.E.B., Kroger’s, Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods Market, just to name a few.

The Contract Manufacturing – Quality Control Manager (Mexico) will assume the duty of quality support to optimize key quality-related functions for MPL Brands. This role will oversee all quality control activities related to tequila/beverage production across our contract manufacturing partners based in Mexico. This role is critical to ensure that all products produced under our brand meet stringent quality, safety, and regulatory standards from raw material intake through bottling and labeling.

Main Duties Include:

• Implement and maintain quality control protocols at all contract manufacturing facilities (NOM-certified distilleries).
• Monitor and verify all stages of production, including agave quality, fermentation, distillation, blending, aging, bottling, final packaging and more.
• Ensure that production batches meet the defined specifications for taste, aroma, appearance, and chemical profile through detailed product retention reviews and on-site audits.
• Coordinate and review product sampling and lab analysis, including sensory evaluations, alcohol content, methanol levels, pH, and microbiological testing.
• Work with internal and external labs to validate results and manage testing schedules.
• Participate in product inspections and prepare quality documentation for regulatory audits and certifications.
• Partner with third-party manufacturing teams to ensure consistent execution of QC protocols.
• Provide technical support, training, and ongoing QC guidance to production partners.
• Investigate and identify non-conforming products, initiate root cause analysis, and drive CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) implementation.
• Maintain clear documentation of all deviations, resolutions, and process adjustments.
• Maintain up-to-date records for all production lots, test results, and product quality logs.
• Generate QC performance reports and communicate key findings and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Assess, investigate, and manage contract manufacturer quality issues. Request and follow up on applicable corrective actions.
• Perform contract manufacturing and warehouse Quality Inspections regularly at assigned locations and full quality system audits annually with high attention to detail.
• Manage corrective actions for contract manufacturer quality-related issues and non-conformances, or food safety and quality system deficiencies.
• Participate in new product or process contract manufacturer start-ups, with a mindset towards troubleshooting and problem-solving.
• Develop value-added working relationships with key contract manufacturers.
• Assemble a team of internal experts from appropriate functional groups within the organization to solve food safety and/or quality problems or deficiencies.
• Approve, conditionally approve, or reject potential new contract manufacturers, repackers, and warehouses based on thorough assessments of quality and food safety systems against Patco Brands policies alongside the Director of Quality, and effectively communicate decisions to internal and external parties.
• Clearly and effectively interpret and communicate Patco Brands' quality policies and procedures to internal business associates and to external contract manufacturers.
• Assure the appropriate audit follow-up items are addressed for each audit.
• Review and Investigate Customer Claims related to MPL Brands' Goods at select Contract Manufacturers.
• Participate in other sensory evaluations as required for new product launches and recurring productions.
• Demonstrate adherence to TTB and FDA regulations, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), OSHA standards, SQF, BRC, FSSC2200, ISO, and HACCP principles.
• Attending the first production runs as needed to ensure that MPL Brands' finished product-testing requirements are conducted.
• Coordinate quality-related functions with Contract manufacturers, such as specification sheets, quality agreements, non-conformance resolutions, and sampling needs.
• Coordinate sample retrievals, testing needs, and other functions as needed to ensure that product quality is reviewed and maintained at an exceptional level.
• Perform duties assigned by the Director of Quality.
• Assist in quality-related KPI tracking metrics as directed by the Director of Quality.
• Manage Disposals related to assigned Plants for Raw Materials.

Personality:

• Positive attitude.
• Accepts responsibility for actions taken.
• Seeking additional responsibility without being asked.
• Works as a team player.
• Embody a creative, continuous improvement mindset.
• Driven by creativity, exploration, and innovation.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Microbiology, food science or related field OR 10 + years of equivalent experience required.
• Knowledge of Low Acid Canned Foods, Aseptic systems processing, and Tequila Manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Deep knowledge of tequila production processes and NOM/CRT regulations.
• 5 + years of experience in QA Management, Food Safety, or a related field.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Position requires excellent follow-up and a proactive skill set.
• Ability to travel 70% of the time (Jalisco, Mexico), depending on project and contract manufacturing site needs.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Thorough knowledge of Food Safety and Quality Systems, quality auditing procedures, FDA and TTB Food Safety and Quality Regulations.
• Ability to lead, communicate and enforce Patco Brands’ quality policies and procedures with contract manufacturers.
• Strong influencing and interpersonal skills with a team mindset.
• Strong analytical skills to process information, solve problems, and determine corrective actions with attention to detail.
• Knowledge of quality standards and regulatory requirements, with skills and abilities to communicate internally and externally and execute against requirements.
• Ability to effectively communicate with and manage key teams and management.
• General computer literacy required, with proficiency in Microsoft.

The selected candidate will closely meet this experience profile. A candidate who meets the criteria in many areas but may not meet the experience level in one or two will be considered on a case-by-case basis. MPL is a rapidly growing nationally distributed beverage company specializing in ready-to-drink cocktails and tequila.

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