Quality Assurance Manager

Job Summary

Mission Hires is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager for a dry‑mix food manufacturing plant in Mobile, AL. The role leads a team of 13+ across QA, Sanitation, and Housekeeping to ensure regulatory, customer, and GFSI/BRC compliance while driving a proactive food safety culture, continuous improvement, and audit readiness.

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for ensuring all regulatory, customer, and company quality and food safety requirements are consistently met at the manufacturing facility. The manager partners with plant leadership to uphold compliance, drive continuous improvement, and foster a strong culture of food safety and operational excellence.

• Champion a proactive quality and food safety culture; partner with plant leadership for accountability and compliance
• Own audit readiness; establish internal audit patterns, corrective actions, and annual program reviews to GFSI/BRC/AIB and customer standards
• Prepare for and host third‑party, customer, USDA, and FDA audits/inspections; act as primary regulatory contact
• Integrate HACCP and FSMA preventive controls into production processes; maintain risk‑based programs
• Lead root cause analysis and preventive actions for customer complaints and production nonconformances
• Enhance sanitation and GMP programs; ensure housekeeping and sanitation standards are consistently met
• Oversee daily QA and lab activities, including microbiological, chemical, and organoleptic testing; facility inspections; inventory management
• Manage QA documentation and records (SSOP, SOP, HACCP, internal audits, chemical/micro)
• Hire, coach, schedule, and develop QA and Sanitation teams; drive performance management and accountability
• Establish and manage Quality department budget; monitor MBOs/KPIs and report performance
• Collaborate cross‑functionally to implement continuous improvement and data‑driven quality initiatives
• Maintain lab inventory and ensure availability of testing supplies
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Quality Assurance & Food Safety

Acts as an owner and creates value for the company, its stakeholders, and customers. Builds strong internal and external relationships to drive collaboration and positive results. Inspires others with a passion for the business and a persistent, can‑do attitude. Drives innovation by generating creative, data‑driven solutions that promote continuous improvement and operational growth.

• Bachelor’s degree required;
  Master’s preferred
• 10+ years of food industry experience with 5+ years in quality management within food manufacturing (dry mix preferred)
• Hands‑on experience with GFSI schemes; BRC preferred (SQF or equivalent considered)
• Demonstrated USDA and FDA regulatory knowledge; experience hosting inspections
• Certified Internal Auditor with proven auditing experience
• Strong command of HACCP and FSMA preventive controls
• Proven people leadership managing 10+ team members across QA, Sanitation, and Housekeeping
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and organizational skills
• Cross‑functional collaboration experience and influence skills
• Experience with document management systems and supplier quality programs preferred
• Six Sigma certification (Green/Black Belt or equivalent) a plus
• Ability to work on‑site in a plant environment, including exposure to allergens, odors,
  -30°F blast freezer and 100°F cook room; lift up to 15 lbs; prolonged computer work
• Willingness to travel up to 10%
• No beverage manufacturing backgrounds

Must be able to work in a food manufacturing facility, including exposure to allergens, strong odors, and temperature extremes (e.g.,
-30°F blast freezer, 100°F cook room). Prolonged periods of sitting and computer work. Ability to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally.

Combination of office and manufacturing plant environments.

Up to 10%.

Mobile, AL.

Compensation: $90,000 - $100,000 per year. Benefits:
Unspecified. Relocation Expenses:
Yes.