Food Safety + Quality Assurance Manager

Title: Food Safety + Quality Assurance Manager

Location: Danbury + New Milford, CT

Schedule: 8:30AM-4:30PM | M-F | This role requires flexibility to support occasional weekends, off-shift hours.

Summary:

In this position, you’ll work cross functionally to execute Lesser Evil’s Food Safety and Quality Assurance Programs across all Lesser Evil worksites. We are looking for someone with direct experience in a manufacturing environment (Food Manufacturing is a huge plus!) and is ready to scale Lesser Evil’s current programs with our company’s rapid growth plans. The perfect candidate for this role exhibits a high level of attention to detail and has an innate sense of organization.

This position manages our team of QA Technicians and reports directly to the VP, Operations. Additionally, the FSQA Manager works closely with shift supervisors, plant managers, sanitation managers, and the R&D Manager.

Role/Responsibilities:

• Managing Lesser Evil’s team of QA Technicians
• Conducting routine internal audits to ensure compliance with food safety programs, sanitation standards, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Owning major preventative controls (process, food allergen, and sanitation)
• Assisting in handling inspections, scheduled and unscheduled, from regulatory bodies, customers, and any other external parties.
• Identifying and documenting non-compliance issues; prepare corrective action reports in conjunction with the Director of Continuous Improvement.
• Reviewing production and quality documentation for accuracy and internal compliance.
• Aiding in the maintenance of the environmental monitoring program, ATP swabbing, and verification of sanitation practices.
• Overseeing departmental responsibilities on quality, product compliance and specifications, compliance checks, and food safety.
• Overseeing the “Product Quality Scorecard”, and ensuring proficient communication of performance through regular verbal and written reports.
• Directly managing the process for holding, evaluating and discarding quality HOLDS and retain samples, keeping paperwork up to date.
• Establishing budget, cadence, and documentation for Sodium Titration Testing in a laboratory environment.
• Establishing process and storage for reference products to be cross-checked throughout production runs.
• Utilizing statistical process control to identify trends and seek constant improvement.
• Building out shelf life testing program for popcorn and puffs.
• Establishing, submitting, and balancing the yearly departmental budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science or a technical field, preferred
• 1+ years of Management experience in the food/CPG industry preferred
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills
• Spanish speaking proficiency is a huge plus!
• Required Certifications and Training (Lesser Evil will support training as required)
• PCQI
• HACCP Training

Working Conditions

• Meeting standards of GMP/SQF
• Able to work safely in loud, automated machine intense areas.

Physical Requirements

• Able to lift at least 25 lbs.
• Able to bend, lift, pull, and push.
• 18 Days of PTO (prorated during your first year based on start date) + 6 Paid Holidays
• 18 Work-from-Home Days annually (1.5 days per month)
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Care FSA, 401k, and Life insurance options after a 90-day waiting period
• A fun office environment complete with a gym, weekly yoga, cold brew on tap, and our very own snacks!

Lesser Evil is an equal opportunity employer. We recognize that diversity is a positive attribute and we welcome the differences and benefits that a diverse culture brings to our company.