Confidential Search – Quality Manager
Ready-to-Eat Food Manufacturing
A leading ready-to-eat food manufacturer is conducting a confidential search for an experienced Quality Manager to lead all food safety and SQF programs within a high-volume manufacturing facility.
This is a critical leadership role responsible for protecting consumers, maintaining regulatory compliance, strengthening quality systems, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The successful candidate will bring extensive RTE manufacturing experience and a disciplined, hands-on approach to food safety leadership.
Position Overview
The Quality Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for the facility’s food safety and quality systems. This position ensures continuous audit readiness, regulatory compliance, effective risk management, and cross-functional alignment across Production, Maintenance, Sanitation, and Supply Chain.
The ideal candidate is confident working in highly regulated environments, uses data to guide decisions, and has experience developing high-performing Quality teams within ready-to-eat operations.
Key ResponsibilitiesFood Safety and Regulatory Leadership
- Own and maintain the facility’s SQF, HACCP, and preventive controls programs
- Ensure continuous compliance with USDA requirements and all applicable federal, state, and customer standards
- Lead internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits while maintaining year-round audit readiness
- Oversee environmental monitoring, allergen controls, sanitation verification, and labeling compliance
- Maintain controlled documentation and ensure the accuracy and integrity of all quality records
Risk Management and System Improvement
- Conduct hazard analyses and risk assessments specific to RTE manufacturing
- Lead structured root cause investigations and ensure corrective actions are effective and sustained
- Monitor quality KPIs and statistical process data to identify trends and proactively address risk
- Implement preventive actions that reduce deviations, product holds, and customer complaints
- Lead Quality Alerts, Corrective Action Requests, and continuous improvement initiatives
Operational Partnership and Execution
- Partner with Production and Operations to ensure quality systems are consistently executed on the manufacturing floor
- Align food safety requirements with operational needs without compromising compliance
- Serve as the facility’s quality authority during customer visits and regulatory inspections
- Collaborate with suppliers to strengthen incoming material quality and risk controls
Leadership and Culture
- Develop and lead a high-performing Quality and FSQA team
- Promote a proactive, accountability-driven food safety culture throughout the facility
- Provide coaching, performance feedback, and development planning for Quality team members
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Engineering, or a related field
- At least 10 years of food manufacturing experience, including five or more years in a leadership role
- Current SQF Practitioner certification
- HACCP certification
- Direct experience working in USDA-regulated manufacturing
- Strong data-analysis capabilities, including advanced Excel proficiency
- Experience in ready-to-eat manufacturing strongly preferred
- Saturday availability required
Preferred Qualifications
- SPC, Lean, or Six Sigma experience
- Experience supporting multi-line or high-volume manufacturing operations
Work Environment
This position operates within a refrigerated, ready-to-eat food manufacturing facility and requires regular exposure to production equipment and food-handling environments. Occasional travel to other company facilities, customer sites, or supplier locations may be required.
Compensation and Benefits
$80,000–$95,000 annually, plus bonus eligibility
Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, a retirement plan, an employee assistance program, and additional voluntary benefits.
Food safety is a responsibility shared throughout the organization and led with consistency, accountability, and discipline. Experienced RTE quality leaders who are prepared to strengthen systems, reduce risk, and elevate facility performance are encouraged to apply.
The employer is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering an inclusive and fair workplace.
This is a confidential search. Additional information regarding the company and facility will be shared with qualified candidates during the interview process.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
