Quality Assurance Manager (Food Manufacturing)
We are partnering with a growing and well-established food manufacturing company seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to lead Food Safety and Quality Management Systems in a fast-paced production environment.
This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for regulatory compliance, audit readiness, supplier quality, and building a strong food safety culture across the organization.
Position Summary
The Quality Assurance Manager will oversee compliance with regulatory, customer, and GFSI-recognized standards, including certification under the Safe Quality Food (SQF) Code. This individual will lead the quality team, manage supplier and customer quality programs, and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the facility.
Key Responsibilities
Food Safety & Quality Systems
• Lead and maintain the HACCP and Food Safety Plan
• Ensure compliance with SQF, GMP, and regulatory requirements
• Oversee prerequisite programs including sanitation, allergen management, pest control, traceability, and training
• Manage document control systems (SOPs, forms, and revisions)
• Ensure continuous audit readiness for regulatory, customer, and third-party audits
• Lead mock recalls and traceability exercises
Operations & Plant Oversight
• Conduct routine GMP and quality walkthroughs
• Verify sanitation effectiveness and environmental monitoring programs
• Oversee allergen controls, label verification, and line clearance processes
• Ensure critical process parameters are monitored and documented
• Review and approve production records, deviations, and non-conformances
• Oversee holds, investigations, and corrective actions
Supplier & Customer Quality
• Manage approved supplier program and supplier performance reviews
• Review Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and supplier documentation
• Lead supplier non-conformance investigations
• Manage customer complaints and root cause analysis
• Support customer audits and visits
Leadership & Continuous Improvement
• Supervise and develop QA staff
• Maintain training matrix and coordinate food safety training
• Review and trend quality metrics and performance data
• Lead CAPA program and verify effectiveness
• Present quality metrics to senior leadership
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across operations
Additional Responsibilities
• Oversee calibration and preventive maintenance verification
• Manage food defense and food fraud programs
• Support new product launches from a quality and regulatory perspective
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Sanitation, Maintenance, and Procurement
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field preferred
• 3+ years of quality leadership experience in food manufacturing
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, allergen controls, and GFSI standards
• Experience leading third-party audits (SQF, customer, regulatory)
• Strong leadership, analytical, and organizational skills
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities
This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing organization where quality and food safety are top priorities.
