Quality Control Manager

Quality Control Manager

Yamamotoyama U.S.A. stands as a testament to the art of traditional Japanese green tea and nori seaweed products, upholding a commitment to unparalleled quality since 1690. Our culture is enriched by diverse backgrounds, all striving to find their unique voice in a harmonious blend. This spirit of unity in diversity extends to our portfolio, which includes the globally recognized Stash Tea Company, offering an expansive array of premium teas. In addition, we proudly present Ujido, a brand deeply rooted in the art and tradition of Japanese Matcha. Our dedication to excellence is not just in our products, but in the mosaic of voices that shape our legacy.

The Quality Manager is responsible for leading the Quality Control team to ensure all products consistently meet food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements. This role oversees the Quality Management System, including document control, audits, CAPA, and continuous improvement initiatives, while providing leadership and development to the QC team. The position partners cross-functionally with Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, and external stakeholders to proactively address quality risks, resolve issues, and drive process improvements. Ultimately, the Quality Control Manager ensures compliance, strengthens the food safety culture, and supports business objectives by protecting product integrity and ensuring customer satisfaction.

• Team Leadership & People Management: Oversee and manage QC department personnel, including hiring, training, performance management, and development. Provide coaching and mentorship to build a high-performing team, set clear expectations, and ensure accountability. Effectively allocate resources, including managing the QC department budget, prioritizing and distributing workloads, and support team members in achieving both departmental and organizational goals.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, and external partners to ensure quality standards are consistently met. Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to the Quality team, fostering accountability and continuous development.

• Quality Management System & Document Control: Maintain the Quality Management System, ensuring all production documents, records, and SOPs are accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with regulatory and company standards. Establish and enforce document control procedures, ensuring proper management of both electronic and paper records.
• Quality Control & Audits: Lead and oversee quality inspections for both in-house production and co-manufactured products to ensure compliance with internal standards and regulatory requirements. Participate in internal and external audit programs, identify non-conformances, and ensure timely and effective resolution through CAPA procedures. Ensure compliance with environmental monitoring, calibration, and weight control programs.
• CAPA & Continuous Improvement: Lead the execution and effectiveness of CAPA procedures, including root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, and verification. Analyze quality metrics such as customer complaints, non-conforming products, and process deviations to identify trends and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.
• Customer Complaints & Quality Investigations: Support the investigation of customer complaints and quality issues, ensuring thorough root cause analysis and timely resolution. Collaborate cross-functionally to implement preventive measures and minimize recurrence. Provide leadership in decision-making related to product quality and food safety concerns.
• Equipment Calibration & QC Lab Management: Ensure all quality-related equipment and instruments are properly calibrated, maintained, and functioning in accordance with standards. Oversee calibration programs for equipment including scales, thermometers, ATP devices, water activity meters, moisture analyzers, and magnets. Manage laboratory operations, including supplies, testing procedures, and compliance.
• Regulatory Compliance & Audits: Ensure organizational compliance with all applicable regulatory and certification requirements, including FDA, AIB, HACCP, HARPC, SQF, Organic, nonGMO, and Kosher standards. Partner with operation team to address compliance gaps, and ensure readiness at all times.
• Other Duties: Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support business needs and quality objectives.

• Strategic Thinking: Commitment to strategic prioritization, involving strategically managing tasks and projects and making the most of available resources to achieve goals.
• Analytical Mindset: Strong ability to assess complex situations using data-driven approaches. Capable of identifying trends, performing root cause analysis, and translating data into actionable insights. Applies critical thinking to solve problems, improve processes, and support sound decision-making in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong Communicator: Must be able to communicate effectively with all stakeholders both internally and externally and galvanize stakeholders' commitment around compliance and regulatory needs.
• Integrity: Upholds the highest standards of ethics and accountability, with a strong commitment to food safety as the top priority in all manufacturing activities.
• Time Management: Using time efficiently to complete projects ahead of schedule when possible, including monitoring deadlines and managing workload effectively.

• Collaboration and Influence: Demonstrates strong interpersonal and influencing skills, including the ability to navigate conflict, challenge assumptions constructively, and give and receive feedback with professionalism and credibility across all levels of the organization.
• Change Readiness and Continuous Improvement: Proactively embraces and drives change by adopting new processes, systems, and regulatory expectations. Stays current with evolving regulations, industry trends, and emerging technologies, and translates them into practical compliance solutions.
• Relationship Building: Must be able to build strong relationships throughout the organization by leveraging trust, collaboration, compromise and creating a shared vision concerning compliance.
• Adaptability and Leadership through Change: Exhibits a high level of adaptability in dynamic regulatory, financial, and organizational environments. Effectively supports QA Manager/Director and key stakeholders through department-level and enterprise-wide transformations.
• Effective Decision Making: Use critical thinking skills to make decisions and determine priorities in a timely and informed manner.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in food science, quality management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in the food industry within a Quality related function, including at least 3 years in a supervisory or leadership role.

• Strong knowledge of food manufacturing processes, quality assurance, and quality control principles, with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to applicable regulations and standards.
• Certifications in HACCP and PCQI required; training in SQF and/or BRC preferred.
• Highly proficient in executing CAPA procedures, including conducting thorough root cause analysis, implementing effective corrective and preventive actions, and verifying their effectiveness. Demonstrates strong capability in analyzing quality data and trends to identify improvement opportunities and drive sustainable solutions.
• Strong data analysis skills, including experience with testing procedures and quality control tools and equipment.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to lead by example, act ethically, and serve as a role model for the team by maintaining integrity, fostering a supportive work environment, and promoting collaboration and accountability.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with ERP systems preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish required.

For the role of Quality Control Manager, work is performed in both office and production floor environments. Some physical demands may include:

• Regularly required to sit or stand/walk for extended periods.
• Frequently required to use a computer, including typing and viewing a monitor.
• Regularly required to talk and/or listen in conversations with customers and team members, both in-person and over the phone.
• Occasionally may need to lift and move small office supplies, up to 25 lbs.
• Occasional travel may be required for trade shows or meetings, which could involve standing for long periods, walking long distances, and transporting light materials.
• Good manual dexterity for the use of common office equipment such as computer keyboards, monitors, copiers, and scanners.

The annual pay range for this full-time position is $105,000 - $120,000. Our pay ranges are guided by the discipline, level, and experience required. Within the range, individual pay may vary based on additional factors, including your specific location, desired skills/ technical competency, relevant experience, and advanced education/ training. Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, LTD, EAP, Health & Wellness, Vacation Accrual, and 401(k) with Safe Harbor Contribution. In addition, we offer our employees discounts on our product, tuition reimbursement, continuing education support, and more!

Yamamotoyama is an equal opportunity employer. At Yamamotoyama, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that cultivates creativity and innovation. Although rich in history, innovation is woven into our DNA, and this demands diversity of thought. Our commitment to serving our community wholeheartedly compels us to embrace a broad spectrum of perspectives, backgrounds, regions, and experiences.