QA MANAGER

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the facility’s quality and food safety systems to ensure compliance with regulatory, customer, and certification requirements. This role provides both strategic and tactical leadership to drive continuous improvement in food safety, product quality, sanitation, and regulatory compliance within a bakery manufacturing environment.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESThe Quality Assurance Manager is accountable for the effective management of quality and food safety programs, including but not limited to the following:Food Safety & Quality SystemsDevelop, implement, review, and maintain the facility’s food safety and quality management systems in accordance with BRC, FSMA, HACCP, HARPC, and prerequisite programsServe as the site owner of the food safety management system and ensure ongoing compliance with certification and regulatory standardsAdminister and maintain validation, verification, and documentation programs required by FSMA and BRCLead the BRC training program, including employee training, verification, and recordkeepingRegulatory & Audit ManagementLead and coordinate BRC certification audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspectionsServe as the primary point of contact for regulatory and certification bodies, including FDA, AIB, and third-party auditorsEnsure timely completion of corrective and preventive actions resulting from audits, inspections, and internal findingsMonitor changes in regulations, customer requirements, and industry standards and communicate updates to leadershipRisk Management & Continuous ImprovementIdentify conditions and practices that could result in food safety risks, injury, property damage, chemical release, business interruption, or regulatory non-complianceCoordinate Management of Change (MOC) reviews for new or modified products, ingredients, equipment, and processes, including HACCP and risk assessmentsEvaluate existing and proposed quality systems and risk mitigation strategies to ensure effectiveness and continuous improvementPartner with manufacturing and operations teams to improve process efficiency, product quality, and food safety outcomesOperational Support & OversightProvide direct support to operations, quality, and sanitation personnel to ensure consistent application of food safety, GMP, and sanitation requirementsAddress sanitation and GMP deviations promptly and lead corrective action and employee retraining effortsOversee the customer complaint management program, including investigation, root cause analysis, and corrective actionsConduct monthly self-inspections and internal audits; document findings and drive corrective actions to completionSafety & Incident ManagementIdentify and report safety hazards and nonconformancesPartner with the HR Business Partner and Operations to investigate injuries and safety incidents, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actionsParticipate in and support the facility’s Food Safety Committee and HACCP team meetingsSUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIESThe Quality Assurance Manager has direct supervisory responsibility for the Quality Assurance and Sanitation departments. This role is responsible for training, coaching, and developing employees, including onboarding, cross-training, and ongoing compliance training. The position regularly communicates with the Plant Manager and senior leadership regarding product quality, food safety, sanitation, inventory discrepancies, and regulatory compliance issues.Extensive knowledge of food safety and quality systems, including BRC, HACCP, HARPC, FSMA, and prerequisite programsSQF Certification requiredStrong understanding of FDA regulations, third-party audit standards, and customer quality requirementsKnowledge of food laboratory testing methods, environmental monitoring programs, and statistical process control techniquesDemonstrated ability to lead and sustain a strong food safety and quality cultureStrong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skillsEffective written and verbal communication skills for training, reporting, and regulatory documentationSelf-motivated and results-oriented, with the ability to manage priorities independentlyStrong collaboration and team leadership skillsEDUCATION AND EXPERIENCEEducation:Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field requiredExperience:Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in food manufacturing quality assurance or food safetyPrior experience leading plant audits and inspections, including customer, third-party, and regulatory auditsComputer Skills:Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and quality management systemsLANGUAGE SKILLSAbility to read, write, and communicate effectively in English for safety, regulatory, reporting, and documentation purposes.MATHEMATICAL SKILLSAbility to perform basic arithmetic using whole numbers and decimals. Working knowledge of units of measure including grams, ounces, and pounds. Ability to calculate and manage time intervals in days, hours, and minutes.PHYSICAL DEMANDS (ADA COMPLIANCE)The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.This position is primarily sedentary with frequent walking throughout the facility. The employee may be required to stand, walk, reach above shoulder level, climb, squat, kneel, or bend on an occasional basis. Lifting or carrying up to 10 pounds may be required occasionally. #J-18808-Ljbffr Bakery Bling