Quality Assurance Manager

Key Responsibilities

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead the development, implementation, maintenance, verification, and validation of Food Safety and Quality Management Systems.


• Serve as the SQF Practitioner and primary site lead for food safety programs.


• Ensure compliance with SQF, HACCP, FSMA, GMP, Organic, Non-GMO, GFCO, FDA, WSDA, and customer requirements.


• Conduct gap analyses and maintain audit readiness for customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.


• Lead or support external audits and ensure timely implementation of corrective actions.


• Maintain food safety programs related to:
  
  
  
  • Allergen management
  
  
  • Food defense
  
  
  • Recall and traceability
  
  
  • Environmental monitoring
  
  
  • Pest control
  
  
  • Sanitation
  
  
  • Supplier approval
  
  
  • Transportation and storage
  
  
  • Process preventive controls
  
  
  
  


• Ensure all program reviews, updates, and significant system changes are documented and communicated appropriately.


• Co-lead monthly Food Safety meetings and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

• Ensure all products are inspected, tested, and released in accordance with company specifications and regulatory requirements.


• Oversee organoleptic, chemical, physical, and microbiological testing programs.


• Conduct and monitor process, packaging, sanitation, and finished-product quality checks.


• Develop, maintain, and improve quality standards, specifications, procedures, and inspection criteria.


• Analyze quality data, trends, and performance metrics to identify improvement opportunities.


• Investigate product deviations, quality incidents, customer complaints, and non-conformances and implement effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).


• Maintain ingredient and raw material specifications and approved supplier documentation.


• Audit suppliers and support supplier quality improvement initiatives.


• Monitor facility conditions and integrity, communicating deficiencies and corrective actions to relevant departments.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop the Quality Assurance team, including supervisors, leads, and technicians.


• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, inclusion, and continuous learning.


• Partner with People & Culture on recruitment, onboarding, performance management, succession planning, and employee development.


• Conduct regular coaching conversations, performance reviews, and development planning.


• Ensure team members receive appropriate food safety, quality, regulatory, and technical training.


• Act as a liaison between management and team members, ensuring clear communication and alignment across shifts.

Training & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and deliver training programs related to:
  
  
  
  • GMPs
  
  
  • HACCP
  
  
  • FSMA
  
  
  • SQF
  
  
  • Food Defense
  
  
  • Organic and Non-GMO requirements
  
  
  • Quality standards and procedures
  
  
  
  


• Utilize Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement tools to enhance quality systems and operational performance.


• Support the implementation of new products, equipment, technologies, and processes through testing, validation, training, and documentation.


• Lead and support calibration, environmental monitoring, validation, and verification programs.


• Develop, review, and maintain SOPs, SSOPs, work instructions, forms, and quality documentation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and R&D teams to ensure food safety and quality objectives are achieved.


• Provide technical expertise and support during new product launches and process improvements.


• Communicate quality and food safety performance, risks, and opportunities to site leadership.


• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, auditors, and regulatory agencies. 
  

  Education

  
  
  
  
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, or a related field.
    

    Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

    
    
    
    
    • Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and quality systems.
    
    
    • Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and root-cause analysis skills.
    
    
    • Ability to interpret regulations and translate requirements into operational practices.
    
    
    • Strong leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities.
    
    
    • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
    
    
    • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
    
    
    • High level of integrity, accountability, and attention to detail.
    
    
    • Strong computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office and quality management systems.