Quality Assurance Supervisor Food & Safety

Position Summary

The Quality Assurance Supervisor is responsible for overseeing daily quality, food safety, and sanitation operations in a beverage manufacturing facility producing high-acid, acidified, preserved, and thermally processed beverages for food service customers. This role ensures compliance with FDA regulations, HACCP, and GFSI standards, manages SAP-based QA release activities, oversees sanitation and janitorial services, manages customer complaints, and ensures that only approved suppliers are used for materials and services.

• Supervise daily QA activities to ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements
• Ensure compliance with FDA regulations applicable to:
  • High-acid beverages
  • Acidified foods (21 CFR Part 114)
  • Preserved and thermally processed beverages
• Verify critical control points, process controls, and monitoring for thermal processing and preservation
• Ensure adherence to HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and prerequisite programs
• Conduct routine GMP, sanitation, and food safety inspections
• Support FDA inspections, customer audits, and third‑party audits (FSSC 22000, SQF, BRCGS)

• Perform and supervise QA lot releases, holds, and dispositions in SAP
• Ensure accurate documentation of finished product releases and nonconformances
• Investigate deviations, holds, and out‑of‑spec results and document corrective actions
• Maintain audit‑ready quality records and electronic documentation

• Ensure sanitation schedules, SSOPs, and cleaning validations are followed
• Verify sanitation effectiveness through pre‑operational inspections, ATP testing, and environmental monitoring Customer Complaints & Food Service Support
  • Manage customer complaints related to food service products
  • Lead investigations into quality, safety, or service‑related complaints
  • Coordinate root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions
  • Communicate findings and corrective actions to internal teams and customers as required
  • Monitor complaint trends and implement continuous improvement initiatives
  Supplier Approval & Control
  • Ensure only approved suppliers are used for raw materials, packaging, chemicals, and services
  • Verify supplier compliance with food safety and quality requirements
  • Maintain approved supplier lists and documentation
  • Support supplier audits, evaluations, and corrective actions
  • Ensure contractors and service providers meet food safety and sanitation requirements
  Leadership, Training & Continuous Improvement
  • Supervise, train, and coach QA technicians, sanitation staff, and contractors
  • Promote a strong food safety culture across all shifts
  • Participate in employee training, evaluations, and disciplinary actions
  • Lead root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives
  • Support validation and verification of food safety and sanitation programs
  Qualifications Education & Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field (or equivalent experience)
  • 3–5 years of QA or food safety experience in beverage or food manufacturing
  • Experience with thermally processed, preserved, acidified, and high‑acid beverages preferred
  Technical Skills
  • Strong knowledge of FDA food regulations and HACCP
  • Experience with SAP QA release systems
  • Familiarity with GFSI standards (FSSC 22000, SQF, BRCGS)
  • Experience managing sanitation teams and contractors
  • PCQI certified and low acid food certification desirable
  Leadership Skills
  • Strong communication and organizational skills
  • Ability to work cross‑functionally with production, maintenance, and supply chain
  • Flexible to support multiple shifts and audits