Quality Assurance Lead

Quality Assurance (QA) Lead

The Quality Assurance (QA) Lead is responsible for overseeing daily quality and food safety activities within the manufacturing facility. This position serves as the primary point of contact for QA Technicians and Production personnel during assigned shifts, ensuring products are manufactured in compliance with company specifications, customer requirements, regulatory standards, and food safety programs.

The QA Lead provides hands-on leadership, monitoring production processes, verifying quality inspections, investigating nonconformances, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement and food safety excellence. This role supports compliance with FDA regulations, GFSI standards, customer requirements, and Paradise Tomato Kitchens' Quality Management System.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Food Safety & Quality Oversight

• Lead daily quality assurance activities on the production floor.
• Verify compliance with GMPs, food safety, sanitation, allergen control, and HACCP requirements.
• Conduct routine production audits and facility inspections.
• Monitor critical control points (CCPs), preventive controls, quality checks, and process parameters.
• Review quality records for completeness, accuracy, and compliance.
• Ensure product quality standards are consistently met throughout production.

Leadership & Team Support

• Provide direction, training, and support to QA Technicians and production personnel.
• Assign daily QA tasks and ensure adequate coverage of production activities.
• Coach employees on quality expectations, procedures, and food safety practices.
• Assist with onboarding and training of new QA team members.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and food safety ownership.

Nonconformance Management

• Identify and investigate product, process, and packaging nonconformances.
• Place affected materials or products on hold when required.
• Initiate corrective actions and document findings.
• Work cross-functionally with Production, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to resolve quality issues.
• Support root cause analysis and preventive action activities.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate and organized records in accordance with company procedures.
• Verify completion of production quality checks and batch documentation.
• Support regulatory inspections and customer audits.
• Assist with preparation and follow-up activities for GFSI, customer, and regulatory audits.

Continuous Improvement

• Participate in quality improvement projects.
• Analyze quality trends and identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Recommend corrective and preventive actions to reduce quality risks.
• Support implementation of new quality programs and initiatives.

Qualifications

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Associate's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, Quality Assurance, or related discipline preferred with 3 years of food manufacturing quality assurance experience or equivalent combination of both.
• 1 year of leadership, lead, or supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience in sauce, condiment, thermal processing, acidified foods, or shelf-stable food manufacturing preferred.
• Experience with FDA-regulated food manufacturing environments required.
• Strong understanding of: GMPs, HACCP, Preventive Controls, Allergen Management, Sanitation Programs, Food Defense and Food Fraud Programs.
• Familiarity with FDA regulations and GFSI standards (BRCGS, SQF, or equivalent).
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Ability to make effective decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and quality management systems.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Exposed to some noise, heat and wet work surfaces.
• Exposed to cleaning compounds that could affect those with allergies to cleaning products.
• Must be able to read, see, hear, and speak.
• Occasional sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting, reaching and stooping.
• Must be able to lift, push, pull and cleaning equipment, that could require exertion and lifting of more than 50 pounds.