QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER

Job Description

Job Description

About Us – National Food & Beverage

At National Food & Beverage, we don't just manufacture products – we build brands. As a trusted co-packer serving Retail, Club Store, and Food Service customers nationwide, we partner with our customers to develop and produce high-quality food products that consumers know and trust. Our success is built on quality, innovation, food safety, and long-term partnerships.

For more than 30 years, we've earned a reputation for excellence through exceptional customer service, operational reliability, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Our nearly 100,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility is equipped to support a wide variety of food production and packaging operations while providing the flexibility to meet changing customer demands.

We proudly maintain the highest industry standards, including:

• FDA Compliance
• SQF Certified
• Organic Certified
• Non-GMO Standards
• Robust Food Safety & Quality Programs

Our in-house Research & Development team works alongside customers from concept through commercialization, providing formulation expertise, regulatory support, labeling assistance, and product innovation. As we continue to grow, we're looking for talented professionals who want to make an impact, solve challenging problems, and help build the future of food manufacturing.

About the Role

The Quality Assurance Manager leads Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory programs within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. Reporting to the VP of Operations, this hands-on leadership role is responsible for maintaining and strengthening food safety and quality systems, leading audit readiness and regulatory compliance, developing and implementing programs and procedures, and managing a team of Quality Assurance professionals.

The ideal candidate is a highly visible, floor-focused leader with strong technical knowledge of food manufacturing, SQF requirements, Preventive Controls, HACCP/HARPC, regulatory compliance, and quality systems. This role requires confidence in developing programs, leading audits, resolving complex food safety and quality issues, and partnering cross-functionally with Production, R&D, Operations, Sanitation, Warehouse, Purchasing, customers, suppliers, and regulatory partners. Bilingual Spanish and the ability to communicate effectively in English are required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Own and manage all QA and food safety systems (HACCP, HARPC, GFSI/SQF)
• Ensure compliance with FDA regulations and customer requirements
• Maintain audit readiness and lead all internal/external audits
• Establish and enforce raw material, in-process, and finished product specifications
• Implement testing, inspection, and product disposition procedures
• Partner with suppliers to ensure ingredient quality
• Hire, train, and mentor QA staff
• Set expectations, manage performance, and build accountability
• Promote a strong food safety culture across the organization

• Work closely with Production, R&D, and Operations teams

• Support new product development and commercialization
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Track and analyze KPIs related to quality and production
• Identify trends and implement corrective actions
• Manage QA budgets and support cost control efforts

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years in food manufacturing or quality assurance
• Strong background in sauces, soups, dressings, or similar products preferred
• Experience with GFSI, SQF, HACCP/HARPC, and FDA compliance
• Bilingual: English and Spanish
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Biology, or related field (or min. 12 years equivalent experience)
• Direct experience with FDA labeling compliance
• Experience with FDA labeling compliance and regulatory review
• Hands-on experience with QA testing in production environments
• PCQI and NACCP certifications
• Building, maintaining and defending QA system audits in a food manufacturing environment
• Strong leadership and team development experience
• Hands-on, floor-focused management style
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, reach, and work around production and facility equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to safely lift and carry up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work around moving machinery, elevated noise levels, temperature variations, and wet or slippery conditions.
• Must be able to wear required PPE.
• Must be flexible to support equipment breakdowns, emergency repairs, production start-ups, and operational needs outside normal working hours when required.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Employer paid LTD and Life / AD&D insurance
• Paid Vacation & Holidays
• Weekly Pay on Wednesdays!

Equal Employment Opportunity

National Food & Beverage is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs without regard to legally protected characteristics.