Quality Systems Manager

Quality Systems Manager

Central Kitchen Oregon - Portland, OR 97214 End Date 10/05/2026

Overview

Salary Range $83,300.00 - $95,000.00 Salary Position Type Full Time

Description

Portland, Oregon | Onsite

Full-Time | Salaried (Exempt) | Bonus Eligible

Help build the quality and food safety systems behind every Salt & Straw scoop.

Salt & Straw is looking for a Quality Systems Manager to strengthen Quality Assurance and Food Safety across our manufacturing kitchens, shops, suppliers, and co-manufacturing partners. Based onsite in Portland and reporting to our Director of Quality and Food Safety, you'll lead supplier quality, complex investigations, and continuous improvement of our SQF and GFSI-aligned systems.

Behind every unexpected flavor is a whole lot of care: trusted suppliers, careful makers, and practical food safety programs that give our creativity room to run. As Salt & Straw grows, you'll help those programs grow with us — so guests can enjoy every moment of wonder with confidence.

What Quality Systems Managers Do

This role turns quality and food safety strategy into clear, practical programs. You'll strengthen our standards across the business, lead our Regulatory Compliance Coordinator, and help our systems keep pace with a flavor menu that's always changing.

You will:

• Build and improve quality programs, SOPs, and standards across manufacturing, Shop Operations, suppliers, and co-manufacturers
• Provide technical leadership in preventive controls, GMPs, sanitation, allergen management, environmental monitoring, and traceability
• Support our SQF and GFSI-aligned systems and lead audit readiness
• Manage supplier and co-manufacturer quality programs, including qualification, onboarding, audits, scorecards, and site visits
• Lead investigations and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for food safety events, quality defects, guest complaints, supplier deviations, and labeling errors
• Own packaging and label approvals, bringing consistency to the process from draft through approval
• Partner with R&D, Commercialization, Marketing, Procurement, and Operations on risk reviews for new formulas, equipment, suppliers, and facilities
• Coach and develop our Regulatory Compliance Coordinator and step in for the Director of Quality and Food Safety when needed
• Help build a culture where every Team Member takes ownership of food safety

In your first 90 days, you'll get to know our teams and partners, take ownership of packaging approvals, and begin work on ingredient traceability, a microbiological program with a co-manufacturing partner, and allergen-safe scooping practices for our shops.

What You'll Get

We offer competitive pay, thoughtful benefits, and a people-first culture that invests in your growth.

Pay & Performance: Market-aligned pay, annual performance reviews, and bonus eligibility

Financial Flexibility: Optional access to earned wages between paychecks

Flexible Time Off: Time to rest, recharge, and care for what matters to you

Paid Holidays: 12 company-recognized holidays annually

Sick Time: Two weeks, aligned with applicable state and local requirements

Paid Parental Leave: 12 weeks at 70% pay for eligible Team Members, subject to the biweekly maximum

Medical, Dental & Vision: Multiple coverage options beginning the first of the month after hire

Mental Health Support: Free, confidential 24/7 access to licensed professionals for you and your family, plus on-site counseling at CKOR

Pretax & Additional Coverage Options: Eligible FSA and HSA options, commuter benefits, and voluntary accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and life coverage

Disability & Life Coverage: Company-paid short- and long-term disability, basic life, and AD&D insurance

401(k): Enrollment after three months of service, with a company match of 50% of your deferral up to 1% of salary

Educational Assistance: Up to $1,800 per year toward approved coursework or certifications for eligible Team Members

Transportation & Parking: Subsidies for eligible commuting and parking costs

Team Discount: 30% off Salt & Straw products

First Look at New Flavors: Early access to flavors and product launches

Qualifications

This Role Might Be Right If You:

• Have a bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Dairy Science, Biology, Chemistry, Public Health, or a related field — or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Bring 4+ years of progressive quality assurance and food safety experience in food and beverage, including 2+ years leading people and cross-functional work
• Have experience with GFSI systems (SQF preferred), CAPA, and root cause analysis
• Have built programs, SOPs, and policies — not just maintained them
• Hold PCQI and HACCP certifications or can obtain them within an established timeframe
• Communicate with clarity and care, including when the conversation is difficult
• Can turn complex food safety requirements into practices that work in real-world operations

Experience in dairy, frozen desserts, or co-manufacturing is strongly preferred. We also welcome candidates from other highly regulated environments, including ISO-driven supplements or pharmaceutical manufacturing. SQF internal auditor and supplier auditing training are a plus.

Wage Transparency

The target hiring range for this role is $83,300–$95,000, depending on experience, with growth potential up to $112,700. This role is also bonus eligible.

The position is based onsite in Portland, Oregon, with approximately 5–10% travel to suppliers, co-manufacturers, and shops as needed.

Important Notes

Food Allergy Warning: This role regularly works in production, shop, and supplier environments where common food allergens are present, including dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, gluten, eggs, soy, wheat, and seafood.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Salt & Straw is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other protected status.

If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation to apply, please contact our People Team at View email address on click.appcast.io. Qualified candidates with criminal histories are considered in accordance with applicable laws.

E-Verify Participation

We participate in E-Verify to confirm work authorization. We do not use E-Verify to pre-screen applicants.

Our Values

Create the Unbelievable

Show Up Generously

Act with Thoughtful Curiosity

Share Human Kindness

Make It Count

These values guide everything we do — from the way we make each flavor to how we care for our guests, teammates, and communities.