Quality Assurance Manager
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced and driven Quality Assurance Manager to lead our Quality and Food Safety programs within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for ensuring the consistent production of safe, compliant, and high-quality packaging products while maintaining regulatory, customer, and certification requirements.
The Quality Assurance Manager will provide strategic and hands-on leadership across quality systems, food safety initiatives, auditing, sanitation oversight, customer quality standards, and continuous improvement efforts. The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader who thrives on the production floor, builds strong cross-functional partnerships, and drives a culture of accountability, excellence, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities Quality & Food Safety Leadership
- Lead all Quality Assurance and Food Safety functions for the facility.
- Maintain and continuously improve quality systems to ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and company standards.
- Serve as the site leader for BRC/SQF certification programs, HACCP, GMPs, allergen control, sanitation, and food safety initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with all food packaging safety and quality requirements.
Auditing & Regulatory Compliance
- Lead internal, customer, and third-party audits while maintaining a state of audit readiness.
- Develop, implement, and maintain quality and food safety policies, procedures, and documentation.
- Drive corrective and preventive action (CAPA) programs to address nonconformances and strengthen system performance.
- Monitor quality metrics, identify trends, and communicate opportunities for improvement to plant leadership.
Operational Quality Support
- Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to improve process capability, product quality, and operational efficiency.
- Support new product launches, material qualifications, process validations, and production startups.
- Establish and maintain quality standards for raw materials, in-process production, and finished goods.
- Collaborate directly with production teams to reduce waste, improve consistency, and enhance manufacturing performance.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, coach, and develop Quality team members while fostering a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Promote employee engagement and quality awareness among both hourly and salaried team members.
- Deliver training and guidance on GMPs, sanitation, food safety programs, and quality procedures.
Supplier & Customer Quality
- Manage supplier quality evaluations and support supplier qualification activities.
- Lead customer complaint investigations, ensuring timely root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
- Serve as a primary contact for customer quality-related inquiries and initiatives.
QualificationsEducation & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Food Science, Quality Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred.
- 5+ years of experience in food, packaging, or related manufacturing environments.
- 3+ years of leadership experience in Quality Assurance, Food Safety, or Quality Systems management.
- Experience in folding carton, food packaging, or direct food-contact packaging manufacturing is strongly preferred.
Technical Expertise
- Strong knowledge of:
- BRC and/or SQF certification systems
- HACCP principles and food safety programs
- GMPs and sanitation practices
- Allergen control programs
- Root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies
- Regulatory and customer compliance requirements
- Demonstrated experience leading audits and maintaining certification standards.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality management documentation systems.
Leadership Skills
- Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams.
- Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across departments.
- Hands-on leadership style with a strong presence on the manufacturing floor.
- Results-oriented mindset with excellent problem-solving and continuous improvement capabilities.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
