No Solicitations: Catalina Foods is not accepting unsolicited assistance from staffing agencies, recruiters, or third-party vendors for this position. Please do not contact our team, hiring managers, or employees regarding this posting. Any unsolicited resumes, candidate submissions, or outreach will be considered the property of Catalina Foods, and no fee will be owed or paid if a candidate is hired as a result of such submission.
Overview
Catalina Food Group is seeking an experienced and bilingual (English/Spanish) Quality Assurance Manager / SQF Practitioner to lead and maintain our food safety and quality systems across our manufacturing operations. This role is ideal for a hands-on quality leader with deep food manufacturing experience who thrives in a fast-paced production environment and is passionate about building a strong food safety culture.
The QA Manager will serve as the site SQF Practitioner and the primary contact for all food safety and regulatory matters, while driving continuous improvement in product quality, sanitation, and operational efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the implementation, management, and validation of the SQF System, ensuring full compliance with the SQF Code and Food Safety Fundamentals
- Develop, implement, and maintain a qualified HACCP plan
- Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, and state regulations
- Oversee Master Sanitation, Pest Control, GMP, and food safety programs
- Maintain regulatory, third-party, and customer audit readiness at all times
- Supervise and develop the QA team in monitoring raw materials, in-process checks, and finished products
- Lead internal and external audits (customer, regulatory, certification body)
- Investigate non-conformances and customer complaints; perform root cause analyses and implement CAPA
- Determine the disposition of non-conforming raw materials, packaging, and finished products
- Develop and deliver food safety and quality training to plant personnel (in both English and Spanish)
- Serve as plant liaison for co-manufacturing and regulatory matters
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, R&D, Supply Chain, and Sanitation
Qualifications
- Bilingual in English and Spanish required — must be able to effectively train, communicate, and lead in both languages on the production floor
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or related field, OR 5+ years equivalent food safety management experience
- Minimum 5 years of QA/QC experience in a food manufacturing environment (required)
- Demonstrated experience as an SQF Practitioner with hands-on ownership of SQF certification
- Strong working knowledge of HACCP, FSMA, GMPs, and food safety regulations
Certifications (Required or Preferred)
- FDA HACCP Certification (Seafood)
- USDA HACCP Certification (Meat/Poultry)
- FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food (PCQI)
- ServSafe Certification
- Certified Internal Auditor for Manufacturing
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk the production floor for extended periods
- Frequent bending, stooping, and stair climbing
- Lift and carry up to 25 lbs. regularly; occasionally up to 50 lbs.
- Comfortable working in refrigerated and frozen environments with appropriate PPE
Reports To: Director of Innovation and Quality Assurance Status: Full-time, Exempt Location: Catalina Foods / Saugatuck Kitchens
Pay: $95,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
