Sr. Quality Manager

100 Clayson Rd, North York, ON M9M 2G7, Canada

Posted Friday, November 14, 2025 at 5:00 AM

Department: Quality
Reports to: Director, Quality and Regulatory Affairs

Status: Full-time

Food Safety/Quality Level: 1

The Senior Quality Manager is accountable for the overall Quality and Food Safety program. This role provides strategic leadership to ensure the plant maintains the highest standards of product quality, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction. The Senior Quality Manager oversees the Quality team and collaborates closely with Operations, Supply Chain, and other functional teams to drive a strong food safety culture across the organization.

• Accountable for all aspects of Quality Systems and Food Safety Systems (HACCP, SQF, GMP, FSEP) at the plant.
• Foster a strong food safety culture through engagement and education.
• Oversee and provide coverage for Plant SQF Practitioner; ensure validation and verification of SQF system compliance.
• Ensure compliance with corporate policies, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications.
• Lead and support internal, customer, and third-party audits; act as primary liaison with auditors and government inspectors.
• Help support and oversee the management of lab operations, administration, and personnel to ensure accurate product and process testing, analysis, and reporting.
• Develop, create, review and approve modifications and creation of SOPs, programs, and forms related to Food Safety and Quality.
• Lead investigations of process deviations, out-of-specifications, and customer complaints; conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective/preventive actions.
• Work with site operations or distribution departments in the review and approval of Non-Conformance reports related to supplier material quality assurance.
• Drive process improvements and risk mitigation strategies.
• Provide coaching, training, and development for Quality team members.
• Oversee and support the Quality Manager and other quality team members in maintaining and improving systems.
• Has full authority to stop production if unsafe conditions or compromised product quality are identified.
• Provide direction and ensure compliance to site-specific environmental programs, raw ingredient testing as directed by corporate programs and ensuring all customer requirements are met.
• Act as delegate for the Director, Quality and Regulatory Affairs when required.
• Participate in corporate quality initiatives and projects as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in the food industry, with at least 5 years in a management role.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMP, FSEP, SQF, and regulatory compliance.
• SQF Practitioner certification and formal HACCP training required.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; ERP experience is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, solve complex problems, and drive continuous improvement.
• Other projects as assigned.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Gay Lea Foods is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity in our workplace.

Reasonable accommodation is available upon request throughout our recruitment and selection process.

Thank you for your interest in Gay Lea Foods.

Wishing you all the best with your career search!

100 Clayson Rd, North York, ON M9M 2G7, Canada