Quality Assurance Manager

Location: Town of Wausau

Interested in a career that matters?

At Novonesis , quality is foundational to how we protect consumers, build trust with customers, and deliver on our purpose. At our Wausau, Wisconsin facility, the Quality Assurance team partners closely with Operations, Quality Control, Engineering/Maintenance, and R&D to ensure safe, compliant, and high-quality manufacturing every day. As Quality Assurance Manager , you will lead, develop, and empower the local QA organization while shaping a strong quality culture grounded in GMP compliance, food safety, and continuous improvement.

The Role & Your Impact This role is a mixed operational and strategic leadership position with direct impact on product quality, regulatory compliance, and site performance. You will own the site quality systems, lead a capable QA team, and ensure alignment with corporate goals and standards while driving continuous improvement across manufacturing operations.

Key responsibilities include:

Collaborating with operations, quality, engineering/maintenance, and R&D to ensure compliance and sustainability of manufacturing processes and quality systems.

Leading the quality assurance team to ensure products meet company policies, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.

Identifying GMP, food safety, and quality training needs; overseeing training and serving as SME instructor.

Conducting or overseeing batch record reviews and releasing manufacturing work orders via the ERP system.

Writing, reviewing, and approving documentation such as SOPs, work instructions, and reports.

Overseeing validation of manufacturing processes, equipment, cleaning, and facilities for regulatory compliance.

Supporting investigations of deviations and unexpected observations in QC and manufacturing.

Conducting quality investigations and implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).Participating in and supporting regulatory inspections, third-party audits, and customer audits.

Maintaining compliance with third-party certifications (Organic, Kosher, Halal, NSF, etc.).What You’ll Need to Be Successful Must-haves for day-one performance include:

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Microbiology (or closely related field).5+ years of QA/QC experience with increasing responsibility, including 3+ years in a quality management or people leadership role.

Strong working knowledge of GMPs, food safety systems, validations and qualifications, internal auditing, change control, deviations, and CAPA.Experience supporting or leading regulatory inspections and customer audits.

Ability to read, interpret, and apply regulations, standards, guidance documents, and product specifications.

Proven capability to manage competing priorities, lead through change, and collaborate effectively across functions.

Strong leadership skills, including delegation, coaching, and accountability.

Excellent communication, organization, problem-solving, and follow-up skills.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).Additional Skills & Interests We Value Nice-to-haves that will help you thrive:

Experience in food and/or dietary supplement manufacturing environments.

Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification.

Hands-on experience with supplier quality management and quality supply chain oversight.

Demonstrated passion for continuous improvement and quality culture development.

What We Offer At Novonesis, you will join a purpose-driven organization where quality, safety, and sustainability matter. We offer:

Opportunities to lead and shape site-level quality strategy with strong corporate alignment.

A collaborative, cross-functional working environment.

Professional development and growth through meaningful leadership challenges.

A culture built on trust, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Ways of Working / Working Conditions This is an on-site leadership role based at our Wausau manufacturing facility. Occasional travel is required to support audits, supplier interactions, or corporate initiatives. Work is primarily in a manufacturing environment, requiring regular interaction with production areas and cross-functional teams.

Compensation & Benefits
401(k) with up to a…