Quality Assurance Manager - Food Safety

About the role

The Quality Assurance Manager - Food Safety is responsible for ensuring the food meets regulatory health standards and implementing, auditing, assessing, and training food safety and quality management systems within the Customer Service Center (CSC).

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements such as FDA, USDA, customer specifications, and corporate food safety and quality standards.
• Manage the food safety program and ensure FDA FSMA preventive controls are effective and proper records are maintained.
• Provide technical expertise relative to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), food safety, sensory and quality evaluations.
• Conduct monthly-required assessments of the food safety program to ensure compliance.
• Conduct routine microbiological testing as defined by the food safety program.
• Review and analyze weekly food safety documents including HACCP logs.
• Utilize checklists to determine consistent fulfillment of required food safety program.
• Support CSC leadership with inspection/audit readiness; coach CSC before, during, and after all external, food safety, quality, and sanitation inspections/audits.
• Supervise pest control program and contract services and suppliers related to the food safety program.
• Conduct appropriate investigations regarding food safety matters and support CSC management in providing detailed information to customers.
• Perform and document periodic checks on products and services to ensure quality standards are met.
• Interface with functional areas (Operations, Production, Sales, and HR), Regional Quality Team, other quality managers to ensure sustainability of the food safety program.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal stakeholders across all functions and suppliers, customers, and regulatory authorities.
• Monitor and prepare reports for the food safety and quality management system.
• Insert monthly-required data into the company web-based portal.
• Collect and monitor all food safety and quality documents (e.g., environmental monitoring, sanitation verifications, chef table, portion control, equipment handling, ramp-on time and safety performance).
• Keep manuals and documentation updated and implement new procedures and rules in a timely manner.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology, or related fields.
• Certified Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).
• Five or more years of experience in Food Safety roles with a minimum of 2 years management experience.
• Technical proficiency in food microbiology, food chemistry, food safety, and food regulations.
• Proven understanding of government regulations in relation to food processing as FDA FSMA, cGMP, HACCP regulations, and USDA.
• Proven analytical and leadership skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Knowledge of computer skills required, including use of technology (scanners, tablets, printers, copiers, etc.) and Microsoft Office programs, as well as cloud based systems.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally in person, by phone, and through email.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment while interacting with staff at all levels, and remain positive, proactive, and resourceful.
• Able to read and understand food safety and quality reports and take appropriate action.
• Able to demonstrate initiative and work efficiently and independently.
• Able to possess a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and be well organized.
• Able to recruit, onboard, develop, coach, train, support, and evaluate the performance of the Food Safety staff.
• Able to participate and support company-sponsored initiatives such as Global Quality Standards (GQS), HACCP, Lean Manufacturing, Employee Safety Knowledge, Skills, and Experience.