Quality Assurance Manager

Krier Beverage is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to lead the day-to-day quality function at our Random Lake facility. This position is highly focused on managing the laboratory and serving as the primary quality partner to Operations. The Quality Assurance Manager will oversee laboratory activities, testing, quality systems, product release, process monitoring, investigations, and quality-related decision-making on the production floor. The ideal candidate is a hands-on quality professional who is comfortable balancing laboratory management with real-time manufacturing support and who can build strong relationships with Operations while maintaining clear quality standards and accountability.

• Manage the day-to-day Quality Assurance function for Krier Beverage's single manufacturing facility.
• Lead and manage the plant laboratory, including staffing, scheduling, testing priorities, equipment, supplies, calibration, documentation, and laboratory organization.
• Ensure required raw material, in-process, finished product, packaging, and environmental testing is completed accurately and on schedule.
• Develop, implement, and maintain SOPs for laboratory operations; ensure annual training and documentation.
• Oversee laboratory methods, test procedures, specifications, sampling plans, and quality records.
• Partner closely with Operations throughout each production shift to monitor quality, identify issues early, and support timely corrective action.
• Establish and maintain clear quality expectations for production employees and ensure quality standards are consistently followed on the plant floor.
• Ensure compliance with GMPs, HACCP, Kosher, and all federal, state, and local food safety regulations.
• Coordinate product holds, releases, rework, disposition, and quality-related decisions in partnership with plant leadership.
• Lead investigations into quality deviations, out-of-specification results, customer complaints, process failures, and nonconforming product.
• Use root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) principles to prevent recurring quality issues.
• Trend laboratory and production quality data to identify opportunities for process improvement and early detection of quality problems.
• Maintain accurate quality documentation, records, logs, test results, specifications, and certificates of analysis as applicable.
• Ensure laboratory instruments and measurement equipment are properly maintained, calibrated, verified, and documented.
• Manage laboratory inventory, chemicals, reagents, consumables, and other supplies in a safe and cost-effective manner.
• Develop and maintain laboratory procedures and train laboratory personnel on testing methods, documentation, safety, and good laboratory practices.
• Train and coach Operations employees on quality standards, sampling procedures, product specifications, GMPs, sanitation, and quality expectations.
• Work with Operations and Maintenance to identify process conditions or equipment issues that may affect product quality.
• Support sanitation and environmental monitoring programs and investigate adverse results or trends.
• Coordinate quality requirements for new products, new customers, line changes, process changes, and production trials.
• Support customer audits, regulatory inspections, third-party audits, and internal audits.
• Maintain and improve the facility's food safety and quality systems in partnership with plant leadership.
• Ensure quality practices comply with applicable FDA requirements, GMPs, customer requirements, and Krier Beverage standards.
• Communicate quality performance, significant issues, trends, and corrective actions to plant leadership.
• Promote a culture in which quality is owned by the entire Operations organization rather…