Quality Manager

Job Title: Quality Manager

Location: Akron, NY

Employment: Direct Hire

Industry: Food Manufacturing

Compensation: $ 125,000K/yrs

Schedule: 40 hours /week

About the Opportunity:

• Own and maintain the facility's SQF certification, serving as the site's SQF Practitioner.
• Lead preparation for and participation in SQF audits (announced, unannounced, and recertification), and own timely closure of any findings.
• Maintain SQF System documentation, HACCP plans, and food safety plans in current, audit-ready condition.

Why You'll Love Working Here:

• Supportive, team-driven culture that values collaboration, transparency, and accountability 
• Opportunity to grow your career with a global workforce solutions leader serving multiple industries 
• People-first environment that encourages employees to bring their authentic selves to work 
• Strong focus on partnership, innovation, and delivering meaningful results for clients and candidates 

Why This Opportunity is Exciting:

• This role offers the chance to join a company that prioritizes both people and performance-where your contributions directly impact client success while giving you room to grow and develop professionally. 

About Acara Solutions

• Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider-we help companies compete for talent. With a legacy of experience in various industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and customize visionary talent solutions that drive desired business outcomes. We leverage decades of experience to deliver contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide.

Sound like a good fit?

TODAY

What You'll Do:

• Drive corrective and preventive action (CAPA) programs to resolution and verify effectiveness.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with NSF requirements applicable to client products, equipment, and facility.
• Monitor evolving FDA, USDA, ISO, and HACCP regulations and translate changes into plant practice.
• Own product and label compliance reviews in partnership with R&D and Sales.
• Own the plant's Health & Safety program: policies, training, PPE compliance, and safety audits.
• Lead incident investigations and root-cause analysis; drive corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Partner with Maintenance and Engineering on machine guarding, LOTO, and other safety-critical compliance.
• Track and report safety KPIs (e.g., recordable incident rate, near-misses) and lead a proactive safety culture across shifts.
• Oversee the Quality Control team; set clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability for each team member.
• QC technicians and the Sanitation team report directly to the Quality Manager.
• Develop and maintain quality control procedures and policies to ensure consistent product quality.
• Maintain a quality assurance program that monitors the manufacturing process end to end.
• Conduct audits and inspections to confirm compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and identify improvement opportunities.
• Define and maintain quality standards, specifications, and testing protocols for raw materials, in-process components, and finished product.
• Understand and manage the microbiological program and testing methodology for raw materials and finished product.
• Analyze quality data and implement CAPA to resolve non-conformances or deviations.
• Partner with Purchasing to evaluate and approve suppliers based on quality performance and capability.
• Conduct supplier audits and drive resolution of supplier quality issues.
• Partner with Production and Engineering to optimize processes and protect consistent product quality.
• Identify and lead continuous improvement projects using structured problem-solving (root-cause analysis,
• Lean/Six Sigma tools) to improve quality and operational efficiency.
• Train staff on quality procedures, food safety requirements, and safety protocols.
• Communicate quality, food safety, and safety performance clearly to plant leadership, cross-functional teams,and external auditors or customers.
• Build a plant-wide culture of quality, food safety, and continuous improvement.
• Review Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and make recommendations for compliance and safety.
• Prepare regular quality and safety performance reports for senior management.
• Maintain accurate, audit-ready records of quality control and food safety activities.
• Ensure the plant adheres to applicable environmental laws, regulations, and permits.
• Obtain and maintain environmental permits; prepare and submit required environmental reports.
• Develop waste management plans that minimize waste, promote recycling, and ensure proper disposal of hazardous materials.
• Monitor air emissions and water discharges for compliance with applicable limits.
• Develop and coordinate environmental emergency response plans.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Attendance is an essential part of this position.

Job Requirements

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science or Chemistry
• 2+ years of experience in quality control and assurance within food manufacturing.

What Sets You Apart:

• Master's Degree
• Gum production experience
• SQF Practitioner, HACCP, and PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual). 
• Working knowledge of NSF standards and requirements. 
• Demonstrated experience managing a plant Health & Safety program. 
• Strong knowledge of quality management systems (HACCP, GMP). 
• Excellent leadership and team management skills. 
• Strong communicator, able to clearly convey quality, food safety, and safety information to cross-functional 
• teams, senior leadership, and external auditors. 
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and make data-driven decisions. 
• Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis capabilities. 
• Continuous improvement mindset; Lean or Six Sigma training.
• Detail-oriented and committed to maintaining high standards of quality.

Additional Information:

• Upon offer of employment, the individual will be subject to a background check

After you , you may receive a call or message from our AI Talent Scout about this role or other opportunities that match your skills and preferences. AI agent role is to help speed up your hiring process by answering questions, confirming basic information, and identifying whether there's a mutual fit.

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Aleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, TalentRise, Viaduct) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran.

Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status.