Quality Control at Stormville, New York

Quality Control Manager

Location: Hopewell NY

Reports To: Head of Manufacturing

Compensation: $110,000 - $120,000 + Bonus

Who We Are

Recess is a leading beverage company built around the idea of helping people feel calm, balanced, and inspired. Our mission is to bring functional, better-for-you beverages to the mainstream through products that are as enjoyable as they are effective. With a portfolio that includes sparkling waters infused with magnesium and adaptogens, mocktails crafted for social occasions, and other wellness-driven beverages, Recess is redefining what it means to drink something good for both body and mind. Founded with creativity and culture at its core, Recess has quickly grown into one of the most recognizable functional beverage brands in the U.S. We're expanding rapidly into national retail (target, plus 5,000+ new doors for mood and craft mocktail lines) and our distribution footprint is growing through our partnerships. We're a small, scrappy team punching well above our weight, and we're looking for a finance leader to help us scale the business with the same intention we put into the product. Our drinks are designed for modern consumers who want healthier options without compromising on taste, quality, or experience. At Recess, we're not just building beverages - we're creating a lifestyle brand that connects with people through innovation, design, and authenticity.

The Role

The Quality Control Manager is a full-time on site role responsible for ensuring that all Recess products meet rigorous quality, safety, and compliance standards. This role oversees quality control processes across the supply chain, including raw material verification, in-process checks, finished product testing, and packaging review. The role reports directly to the Recess Head of Manufacturing and Quality and will play a key leadership role in quality assurance, ensuring products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards. The scope of responsibility includes regulatory compliance, manufacturing audits, record keeping, label and packaging compliance, supplier compliance, product development support and food safety. This role is based out of our Hopewell manufacturing facility in Hopewell Junction, NY and contributes to continuous improvement initiatives, identifies risks, and recommends process enhancements to maintain consistent product performance and consumer safety.

What You'll Do

• Provide leadership and direction to ensure the flawless execution of good manufacturing practices (GMPs) and drive continuous improvements in keeping with GMP standards
• Perform inspections, tests, and measurements at various stages of the production process, from raw materials to finished goods.
• Maintain product consistency, operational compliance, identify defects, and ensure compliance with industry (GMP, FDA, etc) and company standards.
• Ensure products meet established quality standards, which may include industry regulations, company specifications, and customer requirements.
• Review all internal and contract manufacturing quality documentation to include batch sheets, pasteurization records, ingredient usage, etc for accuracy and escalate where appropriate.
• Responsible for Lab equipment calibration and maintenance to ensure accuracy and reliability
• Responsible for data collection and reporting of inspection results, documentation of defects or deviations, and reporting findings to management and relevant teams.
• Setting and implementing internal/external quality requirements to ensure company products/services meet customer, company, and industry expectations
• Conduct and monitor the analysis/inspection of raw materials and final products to ensure compliance with set specifications
• Train employees on quality standards, monitor and review processes for potential quality issues, recommend and implement improvements and spearhead corrective action where defects occur with team members
• Ensure a safe and clean work environment throughout the building and monitor checklist to ensure compliance within GMP protocols
• Responsible for the integrity of labels to ensure accuracy of date for panels and statements.
• Oversee the shelf life protocol and integrity of all product lines, including shelf life studies and retain compliance
• Support product development with new ingredients and/or suppliers of trending ingredients that are on brand for "calm cool collected" brand strategy
• Support head of quality and manufacturing in quality improvement and cost reduction projects
• Lead continuous improvement mindset throughout the plant and with external partners
• Establish procedures and processes for sampling, recording, and reporting of quality data
• Assist external quality auditors in coordinating on-site audits. Maintain proper records and documentation of quality tests and other quality-related activities
• Prepare and present to senior management reports of plant, copacker, production, and quality operations.
• Other critical duties as assigned by manager

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, microbiology, or equivalent experience
• Experience managing quality control or quality assurance in food, beverage, or CPG manufacturing, with a strong understanding of GMPs, HACCP principles, and food safety standards (beverage experience preferred)
• Proficiency with quality systems, documentation control, and data analysis tools to monitor trends, generate reports, and drive data-informed decisions.
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including operations, R&D, supply chain, and external manufacturing partners.
• Strong understanding of beverage operations management including modern quality management tools and the ability to drive continuous process improvement
• Proven ability to lead root-cause analysis, implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and drive continuous improvement projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to document procedures, prepare quality reports, and clearly convey quality expectations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented mindset, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.