Quality Manager

Job Description

Job Title:
Quality Manager

Job Description

The Quality Manager leads site-level food safety and quality execution, ensuring that all products consistently meet strict quality standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations for safety and compliance. This role owns day-to-day FSQA execution, verification, and production release at the site, operating within enterprise FSQA strategies, standards, and frameworks. The Quality Manager partners closely with Operations and Facilities & Sanitation to drive disciplined execution, maintain audit readiness, and support continuous improvement across the facility.

Responsibilities

• Execute site-level food safety and quality systems in alignment with enterprise FSQA standards and compliance frameworks.
• Ensure consistent application of FSQA policies, standard operating procedures, and programs across production, warehousing, and support areas.
• Maintain and update site-level food safety and quality documentation, records, and training materials.
• Ensure FSQA systems remain audit-ready at all times.
• Lead site-level internal, customer, third-party, and regulatory audits, including FDA, USDA, and social compliance audits.
• Investigate and close audit findings by implementing timely and sustainable corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
• Lead, coach, and develop site FSQA staff, including supervisors and technicians, to build a high-performing team.
• Ensure appropriate FSQA staffing, coverage, cross-training, and technician rotation to support production, sanitation, and warehouse oversight.
• Own sanitation standards verification and acceptance at the site in alignment with enterprise FSQA requirements.
• Partner with Facilities & Sanitation teams to ensure sanitation activities are completed on time and to defined standards.
• Oversee environmental monitoring programs, including microbiological and allergen testing.
• Interpret laboratory test results using approved standard methods of analysis and make data-driven recommendations based on scientific evidence.
• Escalate sanitation risks, repeat deficiencies, or execution failures through established FSQA and Facilities governance channels.
• Oversee in-process and finished product inspections to ensure compliance with defined quality standards.
• Manage site laboratory activities, including microbiological and basic chemistry testing such as pathogen and indicator testing, pH, fat analysis, and shelf-life evaluations where applicable.
• Coordinate off-site laboratory testing where applicable to support FSQA programs.
• Ensure raw materials, packaging, and finished products meet approved specifications before release.
• Manage shelf-life protocols and validation programs to ensure product quality and safety over declared shelf life.
• Investigate consumer complaints and quality non-conformances, leading root cause analysis and implementing CAPAs.
• Partner with Operations to support safe, compliant, and efficient production execution without compromising food safety.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 7 years of FSQA or quality assurance experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• At least 3 years of experience in a leadership role within FSQA or quality management.
• Strong working knowledge of food safety regulations and quality systems, including HACCP, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), FSMA, and GFSI schemes such as SQF or BRC.
• Proven experience leading audits and interacting with regulatory agencies such as FDA and USDA.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage risk, and make independent, sound decisions.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret laboratory data and quality metrics.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain detailed records.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and leadership.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Net Suite or similar enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
• Formal certifications such as SQF Practitioner, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), HACCP, or similar food safety certifications.
• Experience managing environmental monitoring programs, including microbiological and allergen testing.
• Background in managing shelf-life studies, validation programs, and product release processes.
• Experience in root cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions in a manufacturing setting.
• Proven ability to use trend analysis and metrics to drive continuous improvement in FSQA performance.