Sr. Manager, Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory (FSQR)

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are
At JonnyPops, our team is empowered to make an impact at work every day from producing high-quality, innovative frozen novelties to spreading kindness one pop at a time. We look for bright and ambitious individuals who seek out challenges, thrive in fast-paced and high-growth environments, align with our core values, and get fulfilment from seeing their work transform the world around them.

Based in Elk River, MN, JonnyPops develops, manufactures, distributes, and markets frozen novelties. Retailers from coast to coast including Target, Costco, Publix, Kroger, Cub, along with thousands of regional and local grocers make JonnyPops part of their assortment.

Growing from a dorm room start-up in 2012, JonnyPops’ mission is to make "A Better Pop for a Better World!" JonnyPops leads the frozen novelties space in innovation and uses simple ingredients with no artificial dyes. Every pop stick includes a kind deed, spreading kindness every day.

Joining JonnyPops is an exciting opportunity to be part of high-growth brand and have a direct impact on the company’s success. Join our team and help us make “A Better Pop, for a Better World!”

Job Summary

The Sr. Manager, Food Safety, Quality and Regulatory (FSQR) is a leader responsible for driving quality excellence across the organization through robust regulatory compliance, supplier quality oversight, microbiological standards, and data-driven insights. This position leads a high-performing team focused on ensuring the company meets all regulatory, customer, and internal quality expectations across the supply chain and product lifecycle.

This role partners closely with plant QA teams, R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, and external stakeholders to ensure that systemic risks are identified, trends are understood, and resources are focused where they will have the greatest impact on food safety and product quality.

Essential Food Safety Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a regulatory and compliance team including specialists in regulatory compliance, supplier quality, microbiology, and data analytics.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and proactive problem-solving within the quality organization.
• Partner with Operations, R&D, Supply Chain, and Plant QA teams to align regulatory and compliance priorities with operational execution.
• Ensure timely communication and support for plants related to compliance issues, new regulatory requirements, or emerging risks.
• Act as the voice of regulatory and compliance in cross-functional forums and customer interactions as needed.
• Oversee corporate programs ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements (FDA, USDA, FSMA, etc.), third-party certifications and customer standards.
• Serve as the internal expert on evolving food regulations; lead regulatory readiness and issue resolution across the organization.
• Lead a small team focused on collecting, analyzing, and interpreting quality and food safety data from plants, suppliers, and customers.
• Identify trends, gaps, and systemic issues to inform strategic decision-making and help plants prioritize resources effectively.
• Develop dashboards and reporting tools that provide clear visibility to leadership and plant teams.
• Responsible for the review and approval of packaging artwork for regulatory accuracy, including ingredient declarations, nutrition facts, allergen statements, and claims.
• Partner with Marketing and R&D to ensure product innovation aligns with regulatory and labeling requirements. Monitor packaging changes and ensure timely updates to maintain compliance.
• Direct the corporate microbiology strategy and ensure robust testing protocols, laboratory partnerships, and pathogen control programs are in place.
• Oversee the interpretation and communication of environmental and finished product testing data, guiding teams in identifying risk trends, prioritizing corrective actions, and implementing proactive interventions to safeguard product quality and food safety.
• Provide strategic oversight and direction for the supplier quality program, ensuring robust qualification processes, risk-based auditing protocols, and ongoing performance monitoring systems are in place for all ingredient and packaging suppliers.
• Food Safety team member  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry or related field required 
• 5+ years in food quality, food safety, or regulatory compliance.
• Deep understanding of U.S. and international food safety regulations, GFSI standards, and supplier quality management practices.
• Proven success in developing and leading teams focused on compliance, microbiology, and data-driven quality assurance.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement risk assessment tools, compliance dashboards, and digital monitoring systems for proactive issue detection
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Certifications preferred: PCQI, HACCP, SQF Practitioner, Lead Auditor, or similar.
• Exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities, with proven success of identifying root causes and driving effective corrective actions.
• High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage complex regulatory projects and competing priorities under tight deadlines.  

Additional Requirements

• Alignment to our mission to spread kindness – JonnyPops is a kindness-based company
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm.

Pay Range:
135,000-150,000

Physical Demands and Work Environment
Physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, sit, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; talk and hear, and reach with hands or arms. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee consistently lifts and/or moves up to 100 lbs and is on their feet for the majority of the workday. Works comfortably in a variable temperature environment.

JonnyPops offers a competitive benefits package which includes the following:

• Medical/Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• HSA
• FSA
• DCFSA
• Life & AD&D Insurance
• Short & Long Term Disability
• FTO/PTO
• EAP Programs
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• Sick & Safe Leave
• 401k
• Company Sponsored Meal Plan

* Hired candidates may be eligible to receive additional compensation in the form of bonuses and/or commissions.

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