Quality Assurance Manager - Acorn

Job Title:

Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance

Head of Quality Assurance

Exempt

Acorn

Onsite

1st shift, Flexible schedule based on business and facility needs

Ability to travel to multiple plant locations up to 15–20% of the time

Full-time

The Quality Assurance Manager provides leadership and direction for all plant food safety and quality assurance functions in support of the company’s food safety goals. This role ensures all products produced meet or exceed customer, regulatory, and company requirements related to food safety and quality. The QA Manager serves as a key liaison between the USDA and internal departments, including Sales, Operations, R&D, and Supply Chain, and is responsible for managing FSQA personnel, departmental budgets, audits, corrective actions, and ongoing food safety program compliance.

• Manage day-to-day FSQA functions for the facility, including 1st and 2nd processing.
• Implement robust quality control processes, conduct inspections, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead and manage the FSQA team by providing guidance, training, coaching, and mentoring to achieve departmental objectives.
• Oversee staffing, overtime management, and budget allocation for the FSQA department.
• Conduct regular inspections and audits of production processes, raw materials, and finished products to identify and address quality issues or failures.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Operations, R&D, and Supply Chain, to resolve quality-related concerns and implement corrective actions.
• Engage proactively with customer and consumer feedback, conduct root cause analysis, and implement effective preventive measures.
• Oversee FSQA data handling, analysis, and reporting processes.
• Contribute to the development and execution of food safety and quality programs that support operational excellence, customer satisfaction, financial performance, and market leadership.
• Develop and maintain the facility Food Safety Plan.
• Ensure HACCP, GMPs, sanitation preventive controls, supply chain preventive controls, and all other prerequisite food safety standards are met according to USDA, FSIS, FSMA, and corporate requirements.
• Manage the Allergen Preventive Controls Program, including accurate allergen labeling on finished food products and prevention of allergen cross-contact.
• Meet with vendors, customers, quality representatives, and company personnel to discuss and resolve quality concerns as required.
• Revise and update the quality control manual to incorporate statistical control programs.
• Represent the FSQA function in meetings and complete other duties as assigned.

$110,000 - $130,000

• weekly payroll
• paid time off and sick leave
• semi-subsidized medical coverage
• dental and vision plan options
• a 401(k) plan with company match
• education reimbursement opportunities
• employee assistance programs (EAP)
• internal learning, development, and career growth programs.

• B.S. or B.A. degree, or equivalent, in Food Science, Meat Science, Poultry Science, or a related field required.
• 4+ years of relevant experience in a comparable food safety, quality assurance, or plant leadership position.
• HACCP certification preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to identify, investigate, and resolve quality issues.
• Demonstrated cross-functional team leadership skills, including the ability to coach, mentor, and develop team members.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Ulti Pro, and Workday.
• Knowledge of USDA, FSIS, FSMA, HACCP, GMP, sanitation preventive controls, supply chain preventive controls, and allergen preventive controls requirements preferred.
• New team members must be able to pass a drug, alcohol and background screening post-offer and prior to the start of their employment.
• The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of their third day of work.

The Quality Assurance…