Manager, Quality Control

Southwind Foods, a U.S. owned and operated company supplying our grocery, distributor, and food service customers the finest fresh and frozen responsibly harvested seafood from around the world, is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to join our team.

Job Description

The FSQA (Food Safety & Quality Assurance) Manager plays a pivotal role in supporting and overseeing the company's food safety, quality, and regulatory programs. Acting as a Manager and mentor for FSQA Technicians, the FSQA Manager ensures compliance with established quality standards, drives continuous improvement, and supports production teams in maintaining the highest standards of food safety and product integrity. This role serves as a key point of contact between FSQA, operations, and management to ensure seamless communication, quick issue resolution, and compliance with regulatory and customer requirements. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in quality assurance, food safety, and familiarity with industry standards. The role involves ensuring the implementation of our Food Safety Program, maintaining BRCGS standards, overseeing quality control processes, and managing various aspects of quality analysis and reporting.

Responsibilities

People Leadership & Department Management

• Drive a culture of food safety and quality; motivate, lead, and direct the quality control and sanitation departments.
• Supervise, train, and coach Quality Control Technicians and document control staff; manage QC Technician work schedules, priorities, and overtime.
• Supervise, train, and coach Day and Night Sanitation employees; manage work schedules, priorities, and overtime.
• Provide directive leadership in all aspects of food and workplace safety in day-to-day production operations.
• Prepare staff schedules and review compliance with time-keeping guidelines.
• Assign QA activities to staff to support Operations with appropriate QA coverage.
• Investigate Quality Assurance performance issues; formulate and document disciplinary actions and performance improvement plans in partnership with Human Resources and in accordance with company policies.

FSQ Programs, Systems & Compliance

• Develop, implement, monitor, and continuously improve FSQA programs that meet regulatory, BRCGS, company, and customer requirements.
• Develop and revise FSQA SOPs; validate and verify their effectiveness and ensure timely updates and training.
• Monitor and update the overall FSQA Program to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with FSMA and Preventive Controls requirements.
• Accountable for all microbiological testing, including air plates, water potability, allergen validations, and other micro testing, per company policy and customer requirements; ensure samples are properly collected and sent to approved third-party laboratories.
• Manage Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) swab testing for micro indicators, pathogens (Listeria/Salmonella), and ATP; perform or oversee corrective actions, micro-sampling, investigation, and documentation.
• Verify and maintain CCP documentation, calibration records, customer complaints, and returned sample records.
• Monitor GMP program; conduct weekly meetings, track corrective actions, and ensure thorough recordkeeping.
• Ensure all FSQ, glass/brittle inspections, work orders, and other pertinent records are properly verified, maintained, and easily retrievable.
• Perform documented verification activities and internal audits to ensure all FSQ functions are properly executed.
• Provide visible floor FSQ leadership to Operations, supporting daily production while reinforcing standards and expectations.
• Deliver and document training on FSQ procedures, GMPs, sanitation, allergen control, and other food safety topics for QC, Sanitation, and Operations personnel.

Audits, Certification & Risk Management

• Lead and maintain BRCGS certification across all departments; ensure ongoing compliance with BRCGS standards and other GFSI requirements.
• Complete internal audits such as BRCGS, GMP, HACCP, Food Defense, and Food Security, and follow up with corrective and preventive actions.
• Audit HACCP and Food Safety Plan, Pathogen Monitoring, BRCGS, Allergen, SSOP & GMP programs; complete verification activities associated with all Preventive Controls programs.
• Coordinate and lead mock recall exercises to ensure full traceability of products and raw materials, document results and corrective actions.
• Handle and oversee the product recall process, ensuring timely communication, execution of recalls, and completion of all related documentation.
• Routinely audit food safety practices to objectively evaluate performance and provide feedback to ensure compliance with the Preventive Controls Program and regulatory requirements (federal, state/provincial, and local).
• Perform audits at plants, off-site warehouses, and vendor facilities to ensure conformance to regulatory, customer, and corporate policies on product safety and quality.

Data, Metrics & Continuous Improvement

• Assist Operations in tracking, documenting, and reporting key performance indicators (KPIs) related to quality, food safety, sanitation, and customer complaints.
• Conduct monthly trend analysis on all QA-related programs (Holds, Lab results, GMP, Foreign Material, Customer Complaints, etc.) and present findings to leadership.
• Document, address, and follow up on any observed non-compliances; recommend and implement changes/improvements.
• Analyze results from audits, environmental monitoring, product testing, and complaints; gather and drive corrective action plans for non-conformances.
• Establish and execute quarterly FSQA objectives and track progress toward goals.
• Plan and develop systems and procedures to improve the operating quality and efficiency of the department.
• Drive food safety through daily process validations by conducting audits, side-by-side coaching, and verifying that team members are properly trained and fully competent in all aspects of their positions.

Sanitation, Facility & Customer Interface

• Provide oversight and training to maintain facility cleanliness and sanitation standards.
• Maintain effective working relationships with regulatory authorities, industry trade groups, suppliers, internal stakeholders, and customers.
• Follow up promptly and thoroughly on food safety complaints from customers; communicate resolutions effectively to internal and external stakeholders.

Inventory, Documentation & Backup Responsibilities

• Manage inventory of equipment and consumables used daily by QA personnel (e.g., ATP devices, allergen kits, micro swabs, QA labels).
• Advise management on the development of new and revised SOPs and execute validation activities.
• Update document control maps upon revision of documents and manage document control personnel as needed.
• Maintain all Food Safety and Quality Assurance-related documentation and records in an organized, compliant manner.
• Serve as backup for Quality Assurance Technicians in their absence, performing routine FSQ functions as required.
• Serve as backup for the Director of QA/FSQA in their absence, ensuring continuity of FSQA leadership.

Qualifications

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's Degree required, preference for B.S. in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, or a related field.
• Current HACCP certification, preferably Seafood/Fishery HACCP (if applicable to the operation).
• BRCGS, SQF or other GFSI-based training/certification.
• BRCGS Practitioner (or equivalent GFSI Practitioner) experience preferred.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 5+ years of front-line FSQ leadership experience in FDA-regulated manufacturing facilities; must currently be in an FSQ Lead or Supervisor role.
• 5+ years of experience in product compliance in the food industry.
• Five or more years of Food Safety and Quality Assurance experience in the food manufacturing industry, including experience in USDA-regulated facilities (as applicable).
• 2+ years' experience related to food manufacturing as it pertains to Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) schemes (BRCGS preferred).

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of BRCGS and FSMA food labeling requirements.
• Working knowledge of FDA Title 21 and applicable state/local food codes.
• Familiarity with State and Federal food processing regulations, including HACCP, Preventive Controls, SSOP, and cGMPs.
• Basic understanding of labeling and packaging material compliance.
• Working knowledge of food safety auditing and internal audit programs.
• In-depth understanding of plant sanitation practices and environmental monitoring programs.
• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
• Solid communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and partner across multiple departments.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, flexible work environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to compile, analyze, and present data clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Note

We've tailored this job description to provide an overview of the dynamic Quality Assurance Manager role. While it outlines key responsibilities and qualifications, it's not exhaustive. Our aim is to offer a glimpse into the position, emphasizing adaptability and growth. As our business evolves to meet market demands, flexibility and innovation are crucial. This may result in the role evolving over time to align with our objectives and empower our team. At our company, we value creativity, initiative, and collaboration, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives contribute to continuous improvement and excellence.

Pay Range: $105,000 to $135,000 annually. The posted range reflects the salary Southwind Foods reasonably expects to pay for this position at the time of posting. Actual compensation within the range will be determined by job-related factors including experience, certifications, skill set, and internal equity.