Quality Manager

Job Description Job Title: Quality Manager Job Description The Quality Manager leads site-level food safety and quality execution, ensuring that all products consistently meet strict quality standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations for safety and compliance. This role owns day-to-day FSQA execution, verification, and production release at the site, operating within enterprise FSQA strategies, standards, and frameworks. The Quality Manager partners closely with Operations and Facilities & Sanitation to drive disciplined execution, maintain audit readiness, and support continuous improvement across the facility. Responsibilities Execute site-level food safety and quality systems in alignment with enterprise FSQA standards and compliance frameworks. Ensure consistent application of FSQA policies, standard operating procedures, and programs across production, warehousing, and support areas. Maintain and update site-level food safety and quality documentation, records, and training materials. Ensure FSQA systems remain audit-ready at all times. Lead site-level internal, customer, third-party, and regulatory audits, including FDA, USDA, and social compliance audits. Investigate and close audit findings by implementing timely and sustainable corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs). Lead, coach, and develop site FSQA staff, including supervisors and technicians, to build a high-performing team. Ensure appropriate FSQA staffing, coverage, cross-training, and technician rotation to support production, sanitation, and warehouse oversight. Own sanitation standards verification and acceptance at the site in alignment with enterprise FSQA requirements. Partner with Facilities & Sanitation teams to ensure sanitation activities are completed on time and to defined standards. Oversee environmental monitoring programs, including microbiological and allergen testing. Interpret laboratory test results using approved standard methods of analysis and make data-driven recommendations based on scientific evidence. Escalate sanitation risks, repeat deficiencies, or execution failures through established FSQA and Facilities governance channels. Oversee in-process and finished product inspections to ensure compliance with defined quality standards. Manage site laboratory activities, including microbiological and basic chemistry testing such as pathogen and indicator testing, pH, fat analysis, and shelf-life evaluations where applicable. Coordinate off-site laboratory testing where applicable to support FSQA programs. Ensure raw materials, packaging, and finished products meet approved specifications before release. Manage shelf-life protocols and validation programs to ensure product quality and safety over declared shelf life. Investigate consumer complaints and quality non-conformances, leading root cause analysis and implementing CAPAs. Partner with Operations to support safe, compliant, and efficient production execution without compromising food safety. Essential Skills Minimum 7 years of FSQA or quality assurance experience in a food manufacturing environment. At least 3 years of experience in a leadership role within FSQA or quality management. Strong working knowledge of food safety regulations and quality systems, including HACCP, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), FSMA, and GFSI schemes such as SQF or BRC. Proven experience leading audits and interacting with regulatory agencies such as FDA and USDA. Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage risk, and make independent, sound decisions. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret laboratory data and quality metrics. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain detailed records. Effective verbal and written communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and leadership. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience with NetSuite or similar enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Formal certifications such as SQF Practitioner, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), HACCP, or similar food safety certifications. Experience managing environmental monitoring programs, including microbiological and allergen testing. Background in managing shelf-life studies, validation programs, and product release processes. Experience in root cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions in a manufacturing setting. Proven ability to use trend analysis and metrics to drive continuous improvement in FSQA performance. #J-18808-Ljbffr