Quality Assurance Manager

The Quality Manager is responsible for leading all food safety, quality assurance, laboratory, sanitation, and regulatory compliance activities within the facility. This role partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Sanitation, R&D, and Corporate Quality to ensure products meet all food safety, regulatory, customer, and company requirements.

The successful candidate will drive continuous improvement initiatives, maintain audit readiness, oversee quality systems, and foster a culture of food safety and quality throughout the organization.

• Lead all food safety, quality assurance, laboratory, sanitation, and regulatory compliance programs for the facility.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, customer requirements, and local, state, and federal regulations.
• Maintain continuous audit readiness for regulatory, customer, and third-party audits.
• Manage and improve food safety programs, preventive controls, and FSMA compliance initiatives.
• Oversee the facility change control process, including risk assessments and approval procedures.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions related to quality, food safety, customer complaints, and non-conforming products.
• Manage product hold, release, and disposition programs.
• Review and approve quality, sanitation, laboratory, production, and verification records.
• Monitor, analyze, and report quality performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Identify quality trends and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee laboratory operations, microbiological testing programs, and quality verification activities.
• Coordinate internal and external laboratory testing and maintain Certificates of Analysis (COAs).
• Ensure accurate testing and evaluation of raw materials, in-process products, and finished goods.
• Maintain and continuously improve the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Manage document control processes, including procedures, forms, work instructions, and quality records.
• Oversee sanitation programs and ensure SSOPs meet food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Manage pest control programs and drive proactive preventive measures.
• Partner with Operations and Maintenance to ensure preventive maintenance programs support food safety and product quality.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customer quality concerns, complaints, audits, and inquiries.
• Lead customer complaint investigations and provide timely, professional responses.
• Prepare the facility for customer visits, audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Collaborate with R&D on new product launches, reformulations, and specification compliance.
• Provide food safety, GMP, sanitation, and quality training to plant personnel.
• Lead and develop quality team members through coaching, mentoring, performance management, and succession planning.
• Participate in annual budgeting and capital planning activities supporting food safety and quality objectives.
• Provide leadership during quality-related emergencies, investigations, and unplanned events.
• Conduct plant audits, facility inspections, and routine floor presence to reinforce food safety culture.
• Communicate quality risks, issues, and corrective actions to plant and corporate leadership.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and food safety excellence.

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive Quality Assurance or Food Safety experience in a food, beverage, dairy, or CPG manufacturing environment.
• Prior leadership or management experience within a manufacturing quality function.
• Experience leading customer audits, regulatory inspections, and food safety programs.
• PCQI, HACCP, and/or SQF Practitioner certifications preferred.
• Strong knowledge of FSMA, HACCP, SQF, GMPs, sanitation programs, and quality systems.
• Excellent leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and quality management systems.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.