Quality Control Supervisor

About the role

The Quality Control Supervisor oversees the Quality Assurance department at a food manufacturing plant in Stockton, California, ensuring that products consistently meet strict food safety, regulatory, and quality standards. This role provides leadership, technical guidance, and process oversight to align plant-level quality activities with corporate goals for quality, culture, volume, service, and cost, while supporting a modern, growth-oriented brand focused on plant-based products.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a team of approximately 25–45 hourly quality technicians, including scheduling, training, coaching, and overseeing adherence to all quality and food safety requirements.
• Provide leadership and technical assistance to operations through the management of food safety and compliance systems.
• Instill strong regulatory awareness and commitment across the plant, reinforcing food safety and quality culture.
• Monitor and maintain company food safety programs to ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements, cGMPs, organic standards, and other applicable guidelines.
• Perform and ensure all required training for quality and food safety is delivered and properly documented.
• Write and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and One Point Lessons (OPLs) to facilitate knowledge transfer and strengthen regulatory capability and capacity.
• Obtain knowledge and training as a HACCP Coordinator and maintain the required certification.
• Assist in the implementation of new policies and procedures, and lead efforts to improve quality methods, equipment, SOPs, and working conditions.
• Participate in root cause investigations related to internal quality concerns and customer complaints, and assist with product traceability activities.
• Manage preparation for SQF, HACCP, Kosher, Organic, and other certification audits, ensuring audit readiness at all times.
• Assist in maintaining the corrective and preventive action (CAPA) program, tracking issues and driving effective resolutions.
• Help establish internal sanitation and housekeeping standards and monitor performance through GMP inspections.
• Assist in maintaining the product recall program, including planning and executing mock recalls and supporting actual recalls if necessary.
• Update communication and performance boards to keep teams informed of quality and safety metrics and initiatives.
• Communicate and participate in safety inspections, GEMBA walks (observe, engage, and improve), SQF reviews, and other audits or reviews as assigned.
• Act as document control manager for the facility, overseeing document routing, amendments, and changes to ensure accurate and current documentation.
• Ensure all documents are HACCP and SQF ready and can be audited at any time.
• Perform HACCP and SSOP training for hourly and salaried employees annually or as needed.
• Provide technical expertise on prerequisite programs, verification activities, and operational inputs related to food safety and quality.
• Stay current on regulatory updates and interpret how they apply to existing production processes, communicating changes to relevant stakeholders.
• Support, maintain, and write policies and procedures related to quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance as needed.
• Work cooperatively with other associates in a fast-paced environment, adapting to changes in work routines and priorities.
• Demonstrate commitment to company objectives including customer satisfaction, environmental sensitivity, integrity, plant safety, food safety, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, production excellence, continuous improvement, and achievement through training, monitoring, and verification.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the overall quality and food safety program.

Essential Skills

• Strong understanding of food safety and quality principles, including practical experience applying them in a production environment.
• Thorough knowledge of food safety, microbiology, and FDA regulations.
• Experience in quality management, with 3+ years of quality management experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and supervise a large team of hourly quality technicians.
• Proven problem-solving skills and sound decision-making abilities, with a track record of recommending and implementing effective solutions.
• Ability to train, coach, and develop personnel at various levels within the organization.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to analyze data and identify trends or issues impacting food safety and quality.
• Ability to conduct thorough inspections and identify potential hazards and non-conformances.
• Capability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, for clear documentation, training, and cross-functional communication.
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with computer software, including Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to adapt to changes in work routines and remain flexible in a dynamic production environment.
• Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues and promote a positive, safety- and quality-focused culture.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Safety, Microbiology, Chemistry, or an equivalent field is required.
• HACCP certification and the ability to serve as a HACCP Coordinator are required.
• PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) training is preferred.
• SQF Practitioner training is preferred.
• Experience in the tree nut processing industry is preferred.
• Experience managing quality control or quality assurance in a food manufacturing or agricultural processing environment is highly beneficial.
• Experience in quality control, laboratory work, and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) environments is advantageous.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer satisfaction, environmental sensitivity, integrity, plant safety, food safety, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, production excellence, continuous improvement, and achievement through training, monitoring, and verification.

Work Environment

This role is based at a food manufacturing plant in Stockton, California, within a fast-paced, production-focused environment that emphasizes safety, food safety, and quality at all times. The facility operates under strict regulatory, HACCP, SQF, GMP, Kosher, Organic, and other certification standards, requiring consistent audit readiness and meticulous documentation. The Quality Control Supervisor works closely with operations, sanitation, and other cross-functional teams on the production floor and in office settings, using tools such as Microsoft Office and plant-specific systems to manage data, documentation, and communication. The culture prioritizes customer satisfaction, environmental sensitivity, integrity, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement, supported by regular training, inspections, GEMBA walks, and performance reviews. Attire must be appropriate for a food manufacturing environment, including any required personal protective equipment and adherence to plant hygiene and GMP expectations.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Stockton, CA. The position is anticipated to close on Nov 14, 2026. This is a fully onsite position in Stockton, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $36.00 - $45.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan (Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available)
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)