Product Quality Assurance Manager

Product Quality Assurance Manager – Food Manufacturing

Location: Sterling, VA
Employment Type: Full-Time
Work Arrangement: On-site
Industry: Food Manufacturing

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Product Quality Assurance Manager to join the Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) team of a leading food manufacturing organization.

This role will support food safety and quality programs while partnering closely with R&D, Production, Operations, and other cross-functional teams to support product development, commercialization, manufacturing execution, and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on food manufacturing and FSQA experience, knowledge of GFSI standards, and the ability to manage quality initiatives in a highly regulated manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

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  Support FSQA programs and ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.

  
  


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  Maintain working knowledge of GFSI standards, including SQF, BRC, and ISO 22000.

  
  


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  Identify quality risks, investigate issues, and support CAPA/corrective and preventive actions.

  
  


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  Partner with R&D on product development, trials, validations, and commercialization.

  
  


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  Provide quality input throughout the product lifecycle.

  
  


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  Collaborate with Production, Operations, R&D, and other teams to resolve quality issues.

  
  


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  Lead and support quality-related projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

  
  


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  Review and maintain quality procedures, documentation, and records.

  
  


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  Support audits, certifications, regulatory compliance, and customer quality requirements.

  
  


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  Provide technical problem-solving support related to food safety and product quality.

  
  

Required Qualifications

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  Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, or a related technical field with 4–6 years of food manufacturing experience; OR

  
  


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  Graduate degree with 2–4 years of relevant industry experience.

  
  


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  Minimum 2 years of FSQA and cross-functional leadership experience.

  
  


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  Strong hands-on experience in a food manufacturing environment.

  
  


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  Working knowledge of GFSI, SQF, BRC, or ISO 22000 standards.

  
  


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  Strong project management, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

  
  


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  Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

  
  


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  Strong attention to detail and commitment to food safety and quality.

  
  

Preferred Qualifications

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  Product development and commercialization experience.

  
  


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  Experience in USDA-regulated food manufacturing.

  
  


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  Experience with sous vide food manufacturing processes.

  
  


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  Strong knowledge of food safety and quality management systems.

  
  


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  Experience with audits, certifications, CAPA, HACCP, and continuous improvement.