Manager, Quality

About the role

The Quality Manager leads the site Quality and Food Safety programs, ensuring compliance with customer, corporate, regulatory, and GFSI requirements. Reporting to the Director/Associate Director Manufacturing Quality, this exempt position is based in Lyndonville, NY within the Quality department and serves as a member of the site leadership team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the site's Quality Management System.
• Ensure compliance with corporate policies, customer requirements, FDA regulations, FSMA requirements, HACCP principles, and applicable certification standards.
• Maintain document control, change management, deviation management, corrective and preventive action (CAPA), supplier approval, calibration, and verification programs.
• Lead Management Review activities and communicate Quality System performance to senior leadership.
• Serve as the site Food Safety Team Leader.
• Maintain and continuously improve HACCP, Preventive Controls, GMP, sanitation, allergen management, and food defense programs.
• Lead preparation, execution, and follow-up activities for BRCGS and other GFSI certification audits.
• Drive food safety culture initiatives and employee engagement activities that reinforce quality ownership throughout the organization.
• Ensure timely closure of audit findings and implementation of sustainable corrective actions.
• Serve as primary quality representative during FDA, state regulatory, customer, and third-party audits.
• Manage responses to regulatory observations, customer complaints, audit findings, and compliance issues.
• Lead product hold, disposition, recall, mock recall, and traceability activities.
• Ensure products meet all applicable legal, regulatory, labeling, and specification requirements.
• Lead daily quality operations including incoming materials, in-process monitoring, finished product release, environmental monitoring, and laboratory activities.
• Ensure testing programs are scientifically sound, documented, and executed according to approved procedures.
• Manage laboratory resources, priorities, equipment calibration, and method verification activities.
• Ensure product release decisions are supported by compliant testing and appropriate technical justification.
• Establish, monitor, and report Quality KPIs and performance metrics.
• Analyze quality trends, complaints, consumer feedback, audit findings, nonconformances, and process performance data.
• Lead root cause investigations and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Partner with Operations to reduce defects, improve process capability, and strengthen preventive controls.
• Lead, coach, and develop Quality personnel to achieve department and organizational objectives.
• Build succession plans and developmental roadmaps for quality team members.
• Conduct training and competency assessments to ensure regulatory and certification requirements are met.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and employee engagement.
• Serve as an active member of the site leadership team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, or related scientific discipline preferred. Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive Quality Assurance leadership experience within food manufacturing.
• Experience managing Quality Systems within GFSI-certified facilities.
• Demonstrated experience leading customer, regulatory, and certification audits.
• Experience supervising quality professionals and laboratory operations.
• Experience with supplier quality management and root cause analysis methodologies.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of BRCGS, SQF, FSSC 22000, or equivalent GFSI standards.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP and Preventive Controls.
• Strong knowledge of FSMA and FDA regulations.
• Strong knowledge of GMPs and sanitation programs.
• Strong knowledge of statistical analysis and quality improvement methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of CAPA, change control, and risk assessment processes.
• Strong leadership, communication, coaching, and conflict resolution skills.
• Proven ability to analyze data, identify trends, and drive sustainable improvements.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and lead through organizational change.
• Preferred Certifications: HACCP Certification.
• Preferred Certifications: PCQI Certification.
• Preferred Certifications: ASQ Certifications (CQM, CQA, CQE, or equivalent).
• Preferred Certifications: Lead Auditor Certification.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance and Wellness Program
• 401k Plan with Company Match of up to 4% & Profit-Sharing
• Education Assistance
• Paid Parental Leave, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Long-Term Care Insurance & Critical Illness and Accident Insurance
• Paid Time Off & Company Holidays

Pay

Salary Range: $84,000 – $109,100