Senior Quality Assurance Manager

Senior Quality Manager

We’re representing a well-established and growing food & beverage manufacturer seeking a proven Sr. Quality Manager to join their leadership team. This position will be instrumental in developing and executing a comprehensive quality strategy that upholds the highest standards of food safety, regulatory compliance, and product excellence. The Sr. Quality Manager will lead all quality assurance, food safety, and regulatory functions, oversee Certified Lab operations, and ensure consistent adherence to company and industry standards. The ideal candidate is a strategic yet hands-on leader with extensive experience in food manufacturing quality systems, regulatory oversight, and continuous improvement practices.

Location: Central New York State

Job Responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local food safety, environmental, and quality regulations through ongoing inspections, risk assessments, and program reviews.
• Maintain strong relationships with regulatory agencies (FDA, USDA, NY Agriculture & Markets, OSHA) to ensure alignment with all applicable standards.
• Lead root cause investigations for quality deviations, implementing effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Oversee all Quality Assurance programs, including product testing (chemical, physical, organoleptic, microbiological) and shelf-life studies to ensure product consistency and safety.
• Manage HACCP and SQF programs to maintain certification and exceed established food safety and quality expectations.
• Develop and deliver quality and food safety training programs for plant personnel covering sanitation, allergen management, and handling practices.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations and R&D to resolve quality challenges, verify product safety, and ensure compliance with packaging and sanitation protocols.
• Oversee lab operations and technical staff to maintain compliance with federal, state, and USPH testing requirements.
• Maintain accurate product formulations, manufacturing records, and quality documentation.
• Oversee aseptic and Extended Shelf Life (ESL) production readiness and oversee pest control, sanitation audits, and pathogen monitoring programs.
• Foster a collaborative, quality-driven culture focused on communication, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Investigate and resolve customer complaints, identifying root causes and implementing improvements.
• Prepare and present quality performance metrics to management, driving data-based decisions and continuous improvement.
• Develop and manage the quality budget, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs without compromising standards.
• Provide leadership and support for food safety and quality programs during off-shifts as needed.
• Perform additional duties and projects aligned with organizational goals and evolving quality objectives.

Required Skills/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Technology, Dairy Science, or a related field preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in quality assurance within food manufacturing
• 5+ years of direct experience with Aseptic Dairy or Aseptic Beverage/Sauce
• Strong expertise in regulatory compliance, food safety, labeling, and quality systems.
• Familiarity with Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) and mass spectrometry preferred.
• Proven leadership and supervisory experience in QA environments.
• Excellent communication and analytical skills with the ability to drive cross-functional collaboration.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.