Quality & Food Safety Manager

Job Description

The Quality & Food Safety Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving the company's Quality, Food Safety, Sanitation, and Regulatory programs. This role ensures production operations - from raw materials through finished goods - meet all internal standards and regulatory requirements while fostering a strong food safety culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Quality & Food Safety department, including daily operations, strategic planning, and team development
• Develop, implement, and maintain food safety and quality policies, procedures, and programs
• Serve as the SQF Practitioner, PCQI, and HACCP Coordinator
• Oversee SQF certification and lead all food safety and third-party audits
• Act as primary contact for regulatory and certification bodies (SQF, FSMA, GFCO, Kosher, GFFP, etc.)
• Develop, maintain, and annually validate SQF and HACCP programs

• Lead environmental monitoring and laboratory testing programs (Listeria, Salmonella, compressed air quality, microbial testing, etc.)
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and corrective actions across departments
• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Warehousing, Transportation, and NPD to ensure food safety is embedded in processes and equipment
• Investigate customer complaints and ensure corrective actions are implemented and documented
• Coach and develop Quality & Food Safety team members
• Support commissioning, qualification, and verification (CQV) for new equipment, processes, and products

• Maintain compliance with FSMA, Organic, Kosher, Gluten-Free, and other regulatory programs

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of managerial/supervisory experience in Quality and Food Safety within food manufacturing
• Strong knowledge of SQF, FSMA, HACCP, GMPs, and PCQI requirements
• Experience leading audits and regulatory inspections
• Proven leadership and cross-functional communication skills
• Hands-on approach with the ability to influence culture and behavior

What's Offered

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Leadership visibility and impact
• Relocation assistance available if needed

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations. GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990.

We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.