Quality Assurance Manager

QA Manager – Norwalk, California Job Ref: 41435 Need a Quality Manager who can: Lead and Manage the Quality Assurance department, including quality staff across multiple locations. Oversees the company’s Quality Management System, food safety programs, and continuous improvement initiatives. Manages SQF System requirements, HACCP/Food Safety Plans, cGMP programs, SOPs, and regulatory compliance activities. Leads internal audits, third-party audit preparation, supplier audits, recall exercises, CAPA processes, and complaint investigations. Ensures compliance with customer requirements, regulatory agencies, and food safety certification standards. Develops and delivers quality and food safety training programs to support company objectives. Oversees QA floor support, batch record reviews, testing, calibration processes, and product release activities. Partners with Operations, R&D, Procurement, and other departments on quality initiatives and process improvements. Provides leadership, coaching, scheduling, training, and development for Quality team members. Supports HR functions including interviewing candidates, performance reviews, employee relations matters, and company communications. Key Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Chemistry, or related field. 3–5 years of managerial experience within a food or nutraceutical manufacturing environment (preferably in the nutraceutical/VMS industry). HACCP Certified; GMP training/certification required. SQF and NSF certification/audit experience required. Bilingual Spanish/English required. Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Ability to support operations across multiple facilities. Applicable Pay Range: $117,500 – $127k with a 10% bonus Schedule: Monday – Friday (some weekends may be required) Location: Balanced between both the Painter & Norwalk Blvd. bldgs. Job Summary The Quality Assurance (QA) Manager will oversee the activity of the quality assurance department and staff, developing, implementing, and maintaining a system of quality for the organization's products and/or development processes to ensure compliance with regulatory agencies, 3rd party certification bodies and customer requirements. Responsibilities Manages the company’s Quality System and associated quality staff to develop, monitor, and fortify continuous improvement of the firm’s food safety policies, quality training, safety programs, SOPs, cGMPs, and HACCP requirements for 3rd party certification, regulatory agencies and customer requirements. As SQF Practitioner, oversees the development, implementation, review, and maintenance of the SQF System and serves as Lead audit facilitator. Oversees HACCP/Food Safety Plan, assessments, and reassessments. Develops and executes cGMP training that supports the Company’s objectives regarding quality requirements and food safety. Ensures the allergen and environmental controls are maintained in all facilities. Plan, schedule, conduct internal quality audits, and recall exercises as Recall Coordinator. Ensures that inspection, testing, and calibration processes are established, implemented, and maintained in accordance with company quality. Manages the internal quality audit function for all sites and ensures effectiveness of the CAPA processes. Manages the complaint system by ensuring all complaints are reviewed, investigated and corrective actions are in place. Perform 3rd party audit preparation and supplier audits as necessary. Manages the raw material testing, batch record reviews and lot disposition activities, to ensure the release of lots within prescribed timelines and in compliance with Company’s SOPs and regulations. Follow and ensure compliance with State, Federal, and company safety rules and regulations. Manages the processes for QA on the Floor support, visual inspections and batch review/disposition. Assist R&D with new plant trials. Collaborate with procurement and operations to qualify new packaging components. Manage quality databases. Attend multi departmental meetings. Oversee quality department across multi sites. Conduct annual employee evaluations for department staff. Support collaborative environment and teamwork in meeting organizational goals. Supervise and schedule quality department personnel and manage, train, develop, and motivate them to achieve the overall quality goals and objectives. Assist with Human Resources functions on interviewing potential employees, drafting and conducting performance reviews, addressing employee relation matters, and overall company communication. Food Safety Responsibilities Report food safety and quality problems to personnel with authority to initiate action: SQF Practitioner, Quality Management, Plant/Production Management, or Supervisors. Qualifications BS Degree in Food Science, Engineering, Chemistry or related fields. 3-5 years of managerial experience in a food or nutraceutical environment. Must be HACCP Certified. Trained and certified for implementation of SQF and NSF, preferred. Trained and certified for Internal Auditing of SQF systems and NSF, preferred. Must be GMP trained or certified. Must be Bilingual in Spanish/English. Highly organized, with time management skills. Adept to change and problem-solving skills. Strong leadership skills, including the abilities to set goals, motivate and manage. Great interpersonal and communication skills. Support all locations. Must be trained on: Company food safety procedures including prerequisite programs – see training requirements. Physical Requirements Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 25lbs at times. Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s multiple facilities. Reporting Structure Direct Report – Director of Quality #J-18808-Ljbffr