Quality Assurance Manager

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for overseeing food safety, regulatory compliance, and quality systems within a poultry manufacturing plant. This role ensures products meet USDA, FDA, HACCP, and industry standards while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and audit readiness. The position works closely with production, sanitation, and maintenance teams to uphold operational excellence and customer trust.

• Oversee daily QA operations to ensure compliance with USDA, FDA, OSHA, HACCP, and GMP standards.
• Maintain audit readiness and lead responses to regulatory inspections and third-party audits (SQF, BRC, etc.).
• Develop, implement, and monitor quality programs, policies, and procedures to ensure product integrity.
• Conduct facility inspections, environmental monitoring, and verification activities to identify risks and corrective actions.

• Partner with plant leadership to align QA initiatives with production goals.
• Monitor and analyze key quality metrics, including yield, defects, and customer complaints.
• Lead root-cause investigations for quality or food safety issues and implement corrective/preventive actions.
• Drive continuous improvement projects to enhance product quality, reduce waste, and improve efficiency.
• Build, train, and mentor a QA team including supervisors, technicians, and auditors.
• Provide ongoing education on food safety, sanitation, and regulatory requirements.
• Promote a positive, safe, and respectful work environment.

• Work closely with production, sanitation, and maintenance teams to integrate quality standards into daily operations.
• Communicate effectively across departments to resolve issues and maintain customer focus.
• Support new product launches and process changes by validating quality and safety requirements.

• 5+ years of poultry or food manufacturing experience, with at least 3 years in a QA or food safety leadership role.
• Strong understanding of poultry processing operations and USDA/FDA regulatory environments.
• HACCP certification and experience with SQF, BRC, or similar food safety programs.
• Demonstrated success in managing quality systems and leading QA teams.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, particularly Excel.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment.

• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies in QA processes.
• Bilingual skills are a plus but not required.

• Fast-paced poultry manufacturing environment requiring time on the plant floor.
• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed to support operations and audits.
• Exposure to cold/hot environments, machinery, and noise typical of food production facilities.