Quality Assurance Manager
Location: Cabot, VT
Compensation: $96,000–$106,000 annually
Work Arrangement: On-Site
Employment Type: Direct Hire / Permanent
About HV Talent Group
At HV Talent Group, we help talented professionals connect with top employers nationwide. As a trusted recruiting partner to industry-leading companies, we focus on direct-hire opportunities that align with candidates’ career goals, values, and long-term growth.
We are currently recruiting for an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to lead food safety, quality systems, and regulatory compliance within a manufacturing environment in Cabot, Vermont.
This is an excellent opportunity for a quality professional who thrives in a fast-paced production setting and is passionate about maintaining high standards in food safety, product quality, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.
Position Summary
The Quality Assurance Manager will provide leadership for all food safety and quality programs within a manufacturing facility while overseeing quality assurance operations in a 24/7 production environment.
This individual will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining food safety programs, leading quality initiatives, managing audits and certifications, and ensuring products consistently meet regulatory requirements and established quality standards.
Working closely with Production, Laboratory, Sanitation, and Operations teams, the Quality Assurance Manager will play a critical role in driving continuous improvement while promoting a strong culture of food safety throughout the facility.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all food safety and quality assurance programs within the manufacturing facility.
- Manage and provide leadership to quality assurance personnel, laboratory staff, and sanitation teams.
- Oversee laboratory testing for raw materials, finished products, and environmental samples to ensure quality standards are consistently achieved.
- Maintain laboratory operations, including staffing, scheduling, equipment, testing procedures, and compliance requirements.
- Ensure compliance with food safety programs, including HACCP, SQF, GMP, food defense, and pest control programs.
- Develop and deliver employee training related to food safety, sanitation, and quality procedures.
- Lead customer, regulatory, and third-party audits while managing corrective action plans and certification requirements.
- Serve as the site’s food safety leader and promote a strong food safety culture throughout the organization.
- Manage product disposition programs, including hold, release, rework, and rejection procedures.
- Develop, maintain, and update quality assurance policies, procedures, and documentation.
- Coordinate recall-readiness activities, including mock recalls and product traceability exercises.
- Investigate customer complaints, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
- Oversee environmental monitoring programs and manage corrective and preventive action processes.
- Monitor and analyze quality metrics and key performance indicators and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Conduct routine facility inspections and provide technical support to cross-functional teams.
- Collaborate with Operations and Manufacturing teams to improve production processes and product quality.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a scientific field.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in a food manufacturing or dairy environment.
- Minimum of 5 years of management or senior supervisory experience.
- Strong knowledge of microbiology, food science, HACCP, and SQF principles.
- Experience developing and managing quality assurance metrics and key performance indicators.
- Experience interpreting and implementing regulatory requirements.
- Strong knowledge of sanitation operations and modern sanitation practices.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while working independently and collaboratively.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Word.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop teams.
Preferred Experience
- HACCP certification.
- Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification.
- SQF certification.
- Dairy manufacturing experience.
- Continuous improvement experience.
- Project management experience.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking a Quality Assurance Manager who is passionate about food safety, quality systems, and operational excellence.
The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with exceptional leadership skills and understands how to build a culture of quality across all levels of a manufacturing operation.
The strongest candidate will be highly analytical, solutions-oriented, and comfortable leading teams while ensuring compliance with complex regulatory and food safety requirements.
Why Join This Opportunity?
- Opportunity to lead quality and food safety initiatives within a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Play a critical role in driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams in a highly technical and quality-focused setting.
- Long-term career growth and leadership opportunities.
- Competitive compensation of $96,000–$106,000 annually.
- Comprehensive benefits package.
Pay: $96,000.00 - $106,000.00 per year
Application Question(s):
- Do you have at least 5 years of experience in a food manufacturing or dairy production environment?
- Do you have a Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology, or another related scientific field?
- How many years of experience do you have in a management or senior supervisory role within quality
assurance?
- Do you have hands-on experience developing, implementing, or managing HACCP and SQF programs?
- Have you been responsible for regulatory compliance and external audits, including agencies such as the
FDA, USDA, or state regulatory bodies?
- Do you have experience managing quality assurance metrics, key performance indicators (KPIs), and continuous improvement initiatives?
- Do you hold any of the following certifications: HACCP, PCQI, or SQF Practitioner? If yes, please specify which certifications you currently hold.
Location:
- Cabot, VT 05647 (Required)
Work Location: In person
