Position Summary
The Quality Assurance, Food Safety & Laboratory Manager is responsible for leading the company's Quality Management System, SQF Food Safety Program, and Laboratory Operations. This position ensures compliance with SQF, HACCP, FSMA, FDA, USDA (as applicable), customer requirements, and all regulatory standards while driving a culture of food safety, quality, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
The Manager provides leadership to the Quality and Laboratory teams, oversees all food safety programs, manages internal and external audits, and partners with Operations to ensure consistent product quality and regulatory compliance. This role is a senior leadership position reporting to the Plant Director.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the Quality Assurance, Food Safety, and Laboratory teams.
- Maintain and continuously improve the SQF Food Safety & Quality Management System.
- Ensure compliance with SQF, HACCP, FSMA, GMPs, FDA, USDA, and customer requirements.
- Manage internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.
- Oversee laboratory operations, including product testing, environmental monitoring, and equipment calibration.
- Develop, implement, and monitor quality programs, SOPs, and corrective actions (CAPA).
- Analyze quality data and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Investigate quality issues, customer complaints, and non-conformances using root cause analysis.
- Partner with Production and Operations to ensure product quality and food safety standards are met.
- Lead employee training programs related to quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance.
- Monitor quality KPIs and prepare reports for management.
- Promote a strong culture of quality, food safety, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of Quality Assurance experience in a food manufacturing environment.
- 3+ years of leadership or management experience.
- Strong knowledge of SQF, HACCP, FSMA, GMPs, Preventive Controls, Food Defense, and Food Fraud.
- Experience leading SQF certification and regulatory/customer audits.
- Experience managing quality laboratory operations, including microbiological and chemical testing.
- Strong problem-solving, root cause analysis, and CAPA management skills.
- Experience developing and leading quality and food safety training programs.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office; ERP and LIMS experience is a plus.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
Preferred Certifications
- SQF Practitioner
- HACCP Certification
- PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual)
- Internal Auditor Certification
- Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt or higher) preferred
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- professional experience in Quality Assurance: 10 years (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
