Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager | Food Manufacturing

Our client is seeking an experienced Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager to lead plant-level food safety, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance programs. This leadership position is responsible for overseeing the facility's food safety systems, quality standards, audit readiness, sanitation programs, and FSQA team development while ensuring compliance with customer, regulatory, and company requirements.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in food processing, quality systems management, regulatory compliance, and team leadership within a manufacturing environment.

Onsite | No Visa Sponsorship | No Relocation Assistance

Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver food safety and quality training programs.
• Lead and manage the facility's Food Safety & Quality Assurance department.
• Lead customer, regulatory, and third-party audits and ensure audit readiness.
• Monitor product quality, specification compliance, and hold/release processes.
• Analyze quality and food safety trends and communicate findings to leadership teams.
• Support new product launches, facility projects, and process improvement initiatives.
• Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve food safety and quality programs.
• Manage sanitation verification programs and ensure compliance with established food safety standards.
• Serve as a key contact for regulatory agencies, third-party auditors, customers, and internal stakeholders.
• Lead and develop FSQA personnel while fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee HACCP plans, Food Safety Plans, GMPs, SSOPs, Environmental Monitoring Programs, and related compliance initiatives.
• Lead food safety investigations, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action (CAPA) activities, and continuous improvement efforts.

Qualifications (Must-Haves)

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience conducting audits, root cause investigations, and corrective action programs.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing quality and food safety initiatives.
• Previous management or supervisory experience within a manufacturing or food production environment.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in food processing, food manufacturing, quality assurance, food safety, or related disciplines.
• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, Food Technology, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Strong knowledge of food safety programs, HACCP principles, GMPs, SSOPs, sanitation programs, environmental monitoring, and regulatory compliance requirements.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within USDA-regulated food manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting third-party audits and food safety certifications.
• Experience with environmental monitoring programs and microbiological controls.
• Knowledge of quality management software platforms and manufacturing systems.
• Background in meat, poultry, protein processing, or other highly regulated food production operations.

Work Environment:

• Regular presence on the production floor is required.
• Combination of office and manufacturing plant environments.
• Ability to work in cold production environments when necessary.
• Ability to walk production facilities, climb stairs, and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Limited travel may be required for training, meetings, audits, or visits to other facilities.

Benefits & Perks:

• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Retirement savings opportunities
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities