Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager

LHH Recruitment Solutions has partnered with a growing organization, and they are seeking a motivated Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager to join their team. This is a critical leadership role for a hands‑on food safety professional who thrives in regulated environments and enjoys partnering closely with Operations to drive excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement. This opportunity offers visibility, influence, and the chance to lead food safety strategy at the plant level while mentoring and developing a quality‑focused team. Why This Role? Lead food safety and quality programs in a USDA‑regulated meat/poultry facility. Be the on‑site food safety authority, working directly with regulatory officials. Play a key role in audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives. Join a company that values food safety, accountability, and operational excellence. Key Responsibilities Serve as the primary Food Safety & Quality leader for the facility, ensuring compliance with all regulatory, customer, and internal standards. Oversee and maintain HACCP programs, prerequisite programs, and food safety systems to ensure effective execution and documentation. Act as the main point of contact for USDA inspectors, supporting daily interactions and regulatory compliance activities. Lead internal, customer, and third‑party audits, ensuring timely and effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA). Monitor raw material, in‑process, and finished product compliance against specifications and quality standards. Partner cross‑functionally with Operations, Maintenance, and Leadership to investigate and resolve quality or food safety issues. Manage product hold, release, and disposition processes with appropriate risk assessment and documentation. Track and analyze food safety and quality KPIs to identify trends and improvement opportunities. Conduct routine facility inspections and walkthroughs to ensure adherence to GMPs, SOPs, and sanitation standards. Train, coach, and develop FSQA team members while promoting a strong food safety culture across the plant. Leadership & Team Oversight Provide direct supervision and daily direction to FSQA team members. Support hiring, onboarding, training, and ongoing development of quality staff. Deliver performance feedback, coaching, and corrective action as needed. Promote accountability, engagement, and continuous learning within the team. Qualifications and Skills Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or a related field. HACCP and/or PCQI certification. Meat or poultry industry experience in a food safety and quality leadership role. Strong working knowledge of USDA and FDA regulations. Hands‑on experience with HACCP programs and CAPA processes. 3+ years of supervisory or people leadership experience. Proven ability to lead audits, manage regulatory interactions, and drive compliance. Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence cross‑functional teams. Experience working within an SQF or GFSI certified environment. Background in continuous improvement or KPI‑driven quality systems. Compensation Range: $95,000 - $125,000 + 15% Bonus Benefits Offered 2 weeks of vacation Paid sick leave where applicable by state law Medical Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance 401(k) Life Insurance If you are a passionate Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager looking for a new and rewarding career, please apply today! You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity! Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled #J-18808-Ljbffr