FSQA Manager, Kapua Orchards

Location: Captain Cook

Are you known for exceeding expectations? Do you embrace the Spirit of Hawai'i? Then please keep reading because we're looking for people like you at Hawaiian Host Group.

Who are we? Hawaiian Host Group (HHG) is a leading Hawai'i-based consumer goods company with a portfolio of brands that includes Hawaiian Host, Mauna Loa, Mac Farms, and Kapua Orchards. Sold in over 23 countries, HHG produces a suite of products ranging from flavored macadamia nuts to premium treats. Our dedicated team of Hosts of Hawai'i is spread across our headquarters in Honolulu and offices in Hilo, Kona, Los Angeles, and Tokyo.

HHG has 3 manufacturing plants in Hawai'i, as well as the state's largest single macadamia farm.

We are an excited team of people that all have one vision in common: sharing the Spirit of Hawai'i with the world. Expect camaraderie, product tastings, and other (virtual and in-person) events that make our culture unique. And more importantly, know that your work contributes to our purpose; to make the Islands' future flourish. We do this through our Takitani foundation that grants scholarships to deserving local students, our solar farm on the Big Island, and other social & environmental initiatives.

That's enough about us for now, we'd love to learn more about you. Read the job description below and let us know if you're interested. We can't wait to meet you!

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager is responsible for managing FSQA programs and activities for the Kapua Orchards facility to ensure compliance with Company policies, FSQA standards, government regulations (FDA, FSMA), and industry best practices including BRCGS, GMP and HACCP. This critical role supports a vertically integrated macadamia operation that includes on-site orchard production and the receipt of nuts from external growers, followed by husking, drying, cracking, pasteurization, roasting, sizing, and sorting in our processing plant.

The FSQA Manager ensures excellence in food product quality, food safety, and regulatory requirements throughout all stages of processing. This role leads FSQA continuous improvement for the site for both quality of product and quality process improvement initiatives.

This role also supports the overall site operations working as a critical team member with the Orchard/Plant Management team to improve the cost, efficiency, and profitability of the Company by reducing waste and improving quality yield. The role oversees food safety and quality inspections, maintaining product quality through documented processes, and preparing and managing quality data and records, including training of staff for audit and development purposes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Execution & Implementation:

• Directs the activities of the Kapua FSQA Department in the effective and efficient execution of their functional responsibilities.
• Ensures compliance with all food safety and quality programs, including BRCGS, GMP, HACCP, internal customer requirements, and all other prerequisite programs.
• Maintains the FSQA Program and Manual. Reviews and updates FSQA documents and production records. Creates, revises, and manages HACCP Plans, SOP, SSOP, and other policies. Ensures timely and accurate completion of routine FSQA records.
• Conducts manufacturing facility audits, as directed by Senior Management to ensure compliance. Serves as lead during inspections by regulatory and governmental agencies relating to food safety.
• Prepares and presents FSQA metrics and improvement initiatives to site and company leadership.
• Works directly with the warehouse team to ensure control of all kernel inventory as part of the QA Hold Program. Ensures proper execution of kernel disposition via material status change, pallet tagging, and timely communication. Resolves materials that are out of specification.
• Establishes and maintains quality standards and action levels for macadamias by monitoring key quality attributes across all processing stages, including moisture, defects, and organoleptic characteristics.
• Ensures effective sampling, testing, and inspection programs in are in place and executed consistently.
• Reviews trends in quality data and initiates actions to address variability or quality loss. Translates quality and food safety data into actionable insights for leadership and operations teams.
• Partners with operations, engineering, and orchard teams to investigate and resolve root causes of yield loss or quality defects.
• Leads and coordinates FSQA-related activities associated with new equipment and process implementation.
• Collaborates with management to improve employee safety culture with an annual goal of zero incidents.
• Assures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Leadership, Coaching, and Development:

• This role is part of the Plant and Orchard Leadership Team and works collaboratively with the team to achieve company and site objectives.
• This role leads from the front and at times may require hands-on work to put in place the…