Quality Advisor - Food Manufacturing

QUALITY ADVISOR

Southern California, CA | Exempt | $130,000+ Annually

REPORTS TO

VP of Operations

LOCATION

San Diego, CA

COMPENSATION

$130,000+ | 10% Bonus Target

ROLE SUMMARY

A growing food manufacturer is seeking a Quality Advisor to serve as an internal subject matter expert and trusted advisor on food safety and quality systems across its manufacturing operations. This role is designed for a senior practitioner who assesses current-state programs, identifies gaps, and provides expert guidance to operational and quality teams - without carrying direct management responsibility.

The right candidate brings deep technical knowledge, strong cross-functional influence skills, and the credibility to drive meaningful change through collaboration rather than authority. This is a strategic advisory role with real operational impact.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Assessment & Advisory
• Evaluate current food safety and quality programs against SQF, FDA, and customer standards, identifying gaps and recommending prioritized improvements
• Advise on the structure and design of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Master Cleaning Schedules, and pre-operational inspection protocols
• Provide expert guidance on transitioning contracted hygiene and cleaning functions to in-house execution, including staffing model recommendations and implementation roadmaps

Food Safety & Compliance Consulting
• Serve as the facility's internal subject matter expert on food safety systems, hygienic design, environmental controls, and cleaning and disinfection chemistry
• Advise FSQA and Operations teams on maintaining continuous audit readiness for SQF, customer, and regulatory reviews
• Guide corrective action development and root cause analysis processes following food safety or quality events

Performance Metrics & Continuous Improvement
• Recommend KPI frameworks and measurement systems to assess program effectiveness, including:

• Pre-operational inspection pass rates

• ATP and microbiological environmental monitoring results

• Re-work and re-cleaning rates

• Labor efficiency

• Production downtime attributable to food safety or hygiene events

• Master Cleaning Schedule attainment
• Analyze data and inspection results to identify trends, validate effectiveness, and inform continuous improvement priorities

Operational Efficiency Guidance
• Advise on optimization opportunities across labor deployment, chemical usage, water consumption, and cleaning methodologies
• Identify and recommend process improvements that reduce production downtime related to food safety and hygiene operations
• Support wastewater reduction initiatives including management of high-BOD/TSS processes

Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with FSQA, Maintenance, HR, and Operations teams to align on food safety priorities and implementation strategies
• Coordinate with chemical suppliers, equipment vendors, and external compliance partners to evaluate and recommend programs appropriate for the facility
• Advise on tools, equipment, and systems to standardize documentation, verification, and reporting across quality operations

QUALIFICATIONS
• 8+ years of food safety and quality operations experience in food manufacturing, with bakery experience preferred
• Demonstrated expertise building, assessing, or significantly restructuring food safety programs in a manufacturing environment
• Strong working knowledge of SQF standards, HACCP principles, SSOP development and validation, and environmental monitoring programs
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive change without direct management authority
• Experience advising on or managing hygiene and food safety programs across multiple shifts, including overnight operations
• Analytical mindset with the ability to assess program performance data and translate findings into actionable recommendations
• Experience managing or advising on budgets, labor models, and operational performance metrics
• Bachelor's degree preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• Regular presence on the production floor in wet, cold, and variable temperature environments
• Exposure to industrial cleaning chemistry and food safety equipment
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 50 lbs as needed
• Flexibility to work varied hours in alignment with operational schedules as needed

BENEFITS

The company offers a competitive benefits package that may include:
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and paid sick leave in accordance with California law
• Paid holidays and floating holidays
• Career growth and development opportunities

NextLevel Executive Search | Food & Beverage Manufacturing Leadership

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