FSQA Manager

About the role

The FSQA Manager leads all Food Safety and Quality Assurance activities within the facility, ensuring compliance with FDA, USDA, GFSI/SQF, NSF, and company quality standards while driving continuous improvement initiatives across food safety, quality, sanitation, and regulatory compliance programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead all plant Food Safety and Quality Assurance programs to ensure compliance with regulatory and company standards.
• Manage and develop QA personnel through training, coaching, performance management, and hiring.
• Oversee HACCP, SQF, PCQI, GMP, NSF, and food safety compliance programs.
• Review microbiological testing, investigate non-conformances, monitor quality trends, and implement corrective actions.
• Manage product release processes, Certificates of Analysis (COAs), inventory holds, and product classifications.
• Lead customer complaint investigations, root cause analyses, and CAPA activities.
• Conduct internal audits, GMP inspections, sanitation reviews, and environmental monitoring oversight.
• Serve as the primary contact during FDA, USDA, customer, and third-party food safety audits.
• Lead Food Safety and Food Quality teams and provide regular performance reporting to leadership.
• Manage pest control, sanitation verification, laboratory calibration programs, and quality documentation systems.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on food safety, compliance, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field preferred; advanced degree is a plus.
• Strong experience in Food Safety and Quality Assurance leadership within food, dairy, beverage, or dietary supplement manufacturing.
• Extensive knowledge of FDA, USDA, HACCP, PCQI, GMP, GFSI/SQF, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience leading audits, regulatory inspections, customer complaint investigations, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills.
• Knowledge of quality systems, SPC, environmental monitoring, and food safety training programs.

Preferred Certifications

• PCQI Certification
• SQF Practitioner Certification
• Certified Industry Supervisor (PMO)
• State Certified Sampler License (or ability to obtain)