Quality Assurance Manager

Location: Onsite | Industry: Food Manufacturing | Company Size: 3,000+ Employees | Reports To: Plant Manager / Director of Quality

About the Company

Our client is a leading food manufacturing organization with more than 3,000 employees across multiple production facilities. The company is recognized for its commitment to product quality, food safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Position Summary

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for overseeing all quality assurance and food safety activities within the facility. This individual will lead a team of quality professionals, ensure compliance with regulatory and customer requirements, and maintain the site's food safety management systems. The successful candidate will serve as a key leader in driving quality excellence, audit readiness, continuous improvement initiatives, and cross‑functional collaboration across manufacturing, operations, and supply chain teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all Quality Assurance and Food Safety functions within the manufacturing facility.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA (if applicable), HACCP, SQF, GMP, FSMA, and customer‑specific requirements.
• Maintain and continuously improve the site's Food Safety and Quality Management System.
• Serve as the facility's SQF Practitioner and HACCP Program Leader, ensuring certification readiness and successful audit outcomes.
• Lead internal, customer, and third‑party audits and oversee corrective and preventive action programs.
• Develop, monitor, and report key quality performance indicators (KPIs), including customer complaints, non‑conformances, and audit findings.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and R&D teams to improve product quality and manufacturing performance.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective action investigations for quality and food safety incidents.
• Ensure all quality documentation, specifications, records, and procedures remain current and compliant.
• Lead quality training programs and promote a strong food safety culture throughout the organization.
• Manage laboratory testing programs, environmental monitoring initiatives, and sanitation verification processes.
• Coach, mentor, and develop Quality team members while building succession plans for future growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• 5+ years of quality assurance experience within a food manufacturing environment.
• 3+ years of leadership or people management experience.
• Strong knowledge of microbiology, food science, HACCP, and SQF or comparable food safety systems.
• Experience leading food safety and quality audits.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to work cross‑functionally within a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• Preferred: HACCP Certification, SQF Practitioner Certification, or PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) Certification.

Benefits

• Opportunity to join a stable, growing organization with over 3,000 employees nationwide.
• High visibility leadership role with strong career advancement potential.
• Competitive compensation package including bonus opportunity.
• Comprehensive health, retirement, and wellness benefits.
• Collaborative culture focused on quality, safety, and operational excellence.