Quality Assurance Manager

Summary

The Food Safety & Quality Manager (FSQAM) is responsible for the food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance of the assigned manufacturing facility while managing the FSQA Department programs and team members. This role drives a culture of continuous improvement and is a key site collaborative leader. The FSQAM is crucial to ensure our products meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance- while fostering a robust food safety culture tied to operational excellence. The FSQAM will work closely with cross-functional teams, including R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, and Sanitation, to maintain and enhance food safety and quality standards.

The Sr. FSQA Manager or FSQA Supervisor may serve as back up to the FSQA Manager and the FSQA Manager may serve as back up to the FSQA Supervisor or FSQA Systems Supervisor.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, develop, and performance manage a high-performing Food Safety & Quality team, cultivating a passionate food safety culture that encourages team collaboration, growth, and continuous improvement.


• Own and drive overall FSQA performance, ensuring alignment with corporate goals, strategy, and regulatory standards.


• Lead the team in food safety audits, inspections, and assessments, both internal and external, to ensure ongoing compliance and readiness.


• Serve as authority for onsite food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance decisions and keep up to date with latest food safety news and trends.


• Act as a key site leader and partner to the Site Leader, contributing to the site’s FSQA strategy and organizational direction.


• Represent food safety and quality in cross functional initiatives and ensure appropriate FSQA requirements are met for any construction, new equipment, or new process in the site.


• Maintain necessary skills matrices and associated development programs to ensure clear career paths for all QA team associates.


• Implement, and continuously improve FSQA programs and procedures as well as support the SQF practitioner and serve as a backup SQF practitioner for the site.


• Maintain the FSQA site budget and managing overtime, spending, and other factors impacting budget.


• Partner with Operations and Sanitation to ensure food safety requirements are met when it comes to Master Sanitation Schedule, Environmental Monitoring performance, and critical to quality processes.


• Evaluate and approve specifications for new products and processes understanding the impact that proposed changes may have on nutritional panels, sensory, and regulatory compliance with necessary feedback for any changes required.


• Responsible for understanding, driving, and delivering KPIs and FSQA Metrics as well as preparing and presenting as needed regular reports to the site leadership team.


• Ensure the verification and validation activities associated with FSQA plans and SQF system elements are completed.


• Analyze trends (including complaint trends) and data to identify risks, opportunities, and areas for improvement.


• Investigate, provide response, and trend complaints utilizing proper root cause analysis tools to prevent recurrence.


• Execute and communicate necessary environmental monitoring and finished goods testing as required by FSQA programs.


• Escalate serious incidents to senior leaders in accordance with escalation protocols and provide necessary updates until the issue is resolved.


• Mentor Operations on ownership of quality processes that lead to improvements that enhance product quality, consistency, and safety while optimizing costs.


• Collaborate closely with Plant Operations leadership to embed FSQA culture into daily plant activities, fostering a proactive, quality-first mindset.


• Serve as a facilitator for the execution of robust root cause analysis (RCA) and effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) when required as well as support plant teams in troubleshooting events in sanitation, product performance, and quality or food safety issues.


• Participate in Operational Excellence programs as an extension of the plant teams.


• Foster strong relationships with customers, ensuring adherence to quality standards through active feedback ongoing communication both in written and oral capacities.


• Recommend new technologies and best practices which will support key objectives while also maintaining current technical expertise in food safety, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and GFSI standards through scientific journals, progressional organizations, and technical conferences.


• Champion food safety culture, influencing cross-functional teams and site leadership.

Qualifications

• Four year applied science degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Microbiology, Biology, or Chemistry.


• HACCP and PCQI certifications required


• 5 years of progressive experience in food safety and quality assurance within the food manufacturing industry or pharmaceuticals


• 2+ years of supervisory/ leadership experience


• Working knowledge of GMPs, Food Safety, HACCP, USDA and SSOPs.


• Experience in Dairy and Seafood HACCP is a baseline requirement for the Delphos Campus.


• Experience working with complex allergen handling and controls.


• Math competencies include the ability to add, subtract, divide, multiply, and calculate percentages.


• Intermediate computer knowledge and Microsoft Suite experience including ability to chart and graph.


• Good analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and drive data-driven decisions.


• Detail oriented with the ability to perform multiple tasks through prioritization


• Good understanding of root cause analysis and basic lean problem-solving tools.


• Effectively manage change and comfortable changing direction and acting without complete information.


• Great communication and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate across functions.


• Ability to travel as necessary to support operations and FSQA initiatives.

Competencies/ Skills

• Proficient computer skills such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.).


• Presentations and Training


• Proven Leadership - Teamwork - Organizational Skills - Conflict Resolution


• Sound judgement and skills in Problem Solving/ Analytical


• Communications Proficiency (to include written, verbal and negotiation)


• Time Management (manage priorities and workflow)


• Collaboration cross-functionally


• High planning and organizational skills