Quality Assurance Manager (1149348)
Job Summary
The Manager of Plant Quality Assurance oversees the total quality program within the manufacturing plant. This includes documentation, compliance monitoring, auditing, and continuous improvement of food safety and quality systems. The role ensures conformance with internal policies, FDA regulations, GFSI standards, HACCP, GMPs, and customer specifications. Additionally, this position leads third-party and SQF audits and serves as the plant’s QA lead in the absence of the Director of QA.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Systems Oversight: Ensure the QA policy and procedures manual remains current; manage QA Hold and Product Loss/Disposition programs; perform trend analysis to support continuous improvement; maintain food safety and quality systems to meet regulatory and customer compliance.
Regulatory & Compliance: Provide Regulatory Affairs review and approval of validation protocols, change orders, nonconformance reports, and related documentation; participate in and support regulatory and customer audits; maintain and follow up on Corrective Action Preventative Action (CAPA) plans under GFSI and HACCP regulations.
Audit Leadership: Lead third-party and SQF audits; support internal auditing programs.
Team Leadership & Management: Oversee employee schedules and assigned responsibilities within the Plant QA team; manage direct reports (interviewing, hiring, training, performance appraisals, rewards, and disciplinary actions); resolve facility complaints and problems; serve as acting Director of Quality Assurance as needed.
Customer & R&D Support: Serve as the primary point of contact for customer inquiries, audits, and concerns; collaborate with Research & Development on new projects and coordinate equipment/product validations.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Food, Dairy, or Natural Sciences preferred. A minimum Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree with an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Experience: 5–7 years of related QA experience and active involvement in Quality Programs within the food and beverage industry. Previous supervisory experience required.
Requirements & Skills: Knowledge of ISO Quality Management Systems, HACCP, and statistical process control preferred; strong personal computer skills; ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, and government regulations, as well as write technical reports and present information effectively to key stakeholders.