Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager

** Please note this position is not eligible for relocation assistance. Position Summary The Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for leading and managing all food safety, quality assurance, and sanitation functions at the bakery manufacturing facility. This role ensures that all products are produced in a clean, safe environment and in compliance with FDA, FSMA, OSHA, and local health department regulations, customer specifications, and third-party audit requirements (e.g., BRC, SQF, AIB, and major customer quality manuals).

The FSQA Manager will oversee day-to-day QA and Sanitation operations, coach and develop the QA and Sanitation teams, maintain robust food safety, quality, sanitation, and pest control programs, and partner cross-functionally with Operations, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to drive continuous improvement. This position reports directly to the Plant Manager and Regional Food Safety Manager.

Key Responsibilities Leadership & Oversight Supervise and mentor QA and sanitation employees; establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations. Champion a proactive food safety and quality culture throughout the facility. Develop staff through communication, evaluation, coaching, and monitoring. Schedule, train, and direct sanitation crews to ensure efficient and effective sanitation operations. Lead daily QA huddles and participate in production meetings to address quality and sanitation concerns in real time.

Primary shift is 1st shift; must be able to work different shifts when and if necessary. Compliance & Audits Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements (FDA, FSMA, CFR 21 Part 117, OSHA, local health department, etc.), customer specifications, and third-party audit standards. Maintain audit readiness at all times; coordinate and lead all customer audits, certification audits, internal audits, customer visits, and regulatory visits.

Conduct or take part in weekly plant GMP audit inspections. Oversee proper documentation, verification, and recordkeeping across all QA and sanitation programs. Program Management Manage and maintain the HACCP and Food Safety Plans; conduct annual reassessments and update documentation as needed. Oversee allergen, traceability, sanitation verification, environmental monitoring, and supplier verification programs. Participate in the development of processes to minimize product safety incident exposure.

Ensure corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) are properly investigated, documented, and closed out effectively. Review all non-conformance reports, customer complaints, and deviations for root cause and corrective action completion. Quality Systems & Documentation Ensure all QA and sanitation policies, SOPs, SSOPs, and forms are current, accessible, and consistently followed. Review batch records, pre-op inspections, and finished product release documentation for accuracy and completeness.

Track and analyze QA and sanitation data trends to identify recurring issues and drive continuous improvement. Sanitation Oversight Develop and implement sanitation policies and procedures to maintain a clean and safe environment in accordance with industry standards and regulations. Ensure the Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) is current, followed, and properly documented. Verify daily, weekly, and monthly sanitation tasks are completed and signed off by the sanitation team.

Conduct regular facility inspections, routine sanitation audits, and post-clean inspections to verify effectiveness and regulatory compliance. Coordinate with Sanitation Supervisors to address deficiencies, implement corrective actions, and improve cleaning methods. Review chemical usage, ensure proper concentrations, and maintain adequate chemical and sanitation supply inventory to meet department needs. Ensure all sanitation employees are trained on SSOPs, chemical handling, allergen controls, and food safety expectations.

Partner with Operations and Maintenance to ensure equipment is cleaned safely and according to validated procedures. Ensure documentation is complete, accurate, and ready for customer, regulatory, or third-party audits. Pest Control Work directly with the pest control provider as the facility's primary point of contact. Review pest control service reports, trends, and activity logs; investigate and address any pest findings promptly.

Ensure all devices (traps, bait stations, insect light traps) are properly mapped, maintained, and inspected…