Quality Control Manager

Head of Research & Development, Marketing & National Sales at Don Lee Farms

Company Description

Don Lee Farms creates premium burgers, bowls, and tacos for America’s top markets. As a multigenerational, family‑run food manufacturer, we focus on delivering delicious, convenient, and accessible meals  products are sold nationally through leading retailers such as Trader Joe’s, Costco, Walmart, and Sam’s Club, both under the Don Lee Farms® brand and private label. Quality, food safety, and operational excellence are core to how we operate every day.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Quality Control Manager to lead day‑to‑day quality and food safety operations at our Inglewood, California facility. This is a hands‑on leadership role responsible for ensuring meat and vegetarian frozen products are produced safely, consistently, and in full compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal quality standards. The Quality Control Manager will work cross‑functionally with Operations, R&D, and Plant Leadership to maintain and continuously improve GMP, HACCP, and quality systems, while managing and developing the QC team.

This is an in‑person role.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure all products meet current GMP, HACCP, USDA, and internal Quality Assurance standards.
• Maintain product quality by enforcing quality policies, procedures, and government regulations.
• Oversee daily review of quality records, reports, and documentation.
• Monitor and verify daily production audits, including code dates, weights, specifications, GMPs, and documentation accuracy.
• Review and evaluate analytical and microbiological testing results for raw materials, finished products, process water, and plant equipment.
• Coordinate internal, customer, and third‑party audits; partner with the Plant Manager and operations teams to develop and implement corrective action plans.
• Prepare and present product and process quality reports, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Train, supervise, and monitor QC technicians to ensure consistent execution and reliable results.
• Support quality system reviews, continuous improvement initiatives, and special projects as requested by plant leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands‑on Quality Management experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• At least 4 years of supervisory experience in a production setting.
• Strong working knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, and quality systems.
• Comfort working on the production floor in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a USDA‑regulated food processing facility.
• Five or more years in Quality Assurance within frozen or protein‑based food manufacturing.
• HACCP and SQF training or certification strongly preferred.
• Experience working with both meat and vegetarian products.

Compensation

Competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Don Lee Farms is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Employment is contingent upon completion of a background check and verification of eligibility to work in the United States.

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