Food Safety & Quality Manager

Food Safety & Quality Manager (Site Transformation Leader)
About the Opportunity

We are seeking a hands-on Food Safety & Quality leader to drive the implementation, integration, and continuous improvement of Quality Management Systems (QMS) within a manufacturing environment. This is a unique opportunity for a professional who thrives in both strategic and operational roles-someone who can solve day-to-day challenges while building sustainable systems, strengthening processes, and developing a culture where Food Safety & Quality are owned by every function across the site. This is not a traditional quality assurance position. The successful candidate will play a critical role in transforming operations by embedding quality and food safety practices into daily workflows, supporting organizational growth, and leading change across the facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and integration of Quality Management Systems into daily manufacturing operations.
• Drive Food Safety and Quality initiatives across the site, ensuring compliance with regulatory and customer requirements.
• Own and lead SQF audits and related food safety programs.
• Partner with operations and cross-functional teams to establish effective processes and improve site performance.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and operational problem-solving.
• Develop, mentor, and lead quality team members while influencing broader site engagement.
• Manage quality activities related to raw material approvals, supplier quality, manufacturing support, non-conformances, corrective actions, and customer complaint management.
• Promote a culture where Food Safety & Quality are shared responsibilities across all departments.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, Engineering, or a related field.
• 3-5+ years of people leadership experience, including coaching, developing, and managing team members.
• Hands-on experience implementing or deploying a Quality Management System (QMS), not simply maintaining an established system.
• Experience leading or supporting SQF certification and audit activities.
• Direct manufacturing experience within a food, beverage, ingredient, nutraceutical, or related production environment.
• Strong understanding of food safety, quality systems, regulatory requirements, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to influence across functions and work through others to achieve results.

Preferred Background

The ideal candidate will have experience in environments where systems, processes, or programs were being built, enhanced, or implemented for the first time. We are looking for someone who understands how to move a quality program from design into daily operational execution.
Candidates who stand out will demonstrate:

• Proven experience with QMS development and implementation.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, influence, and develop others.
• Hands-on manufacturing knowledge and operational credibility.
• Familiarity with supplier quality management, raw material approvals, manufacturing support processes, and customer complaint investigations.
• The ability to balance strategic planning with tactical execution.
• Comfort working in a dynamic environment where priorities evolve and continuous improvement is expected.

What Success Looks Like

• Successfully embed Food Safety & Quality systems into daily operations.
• Strengthen site-wide ownership of quality and food safety practices.
• Build effective processes that support both compliance and operational excellence.
• Develop team capabilities and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Provide leadership that balances immediate operational needs with long-term quality strategy.

Ideal Candidate Profile

This role is best suited for a quality leader who is adaptable, collaborative, and comfortable wearing multiple hats. The successful candidate will bring enough leadership experience to guide a team and drive change, while remaining hands-on and operationally engaged. Individuals coming exclusively from large, highly structured organizations may find this environment challenging; success requires agility, resourcefulness, and a willingness to lead from the front.
Must-Have Requirements:
QMS implementation experience
SQF audit ownership/leadership
Direct manufacturing experience
3-5+ years of people leadership experience
Ability to drive operational and cultural change
Strong food safety and quality systems knowledge
Hands-on approach with strategic leadership capability
Work Environment
This is an on-site role based at a Massachusetts manufacturing facility that produces annatto-derived ingredients through distillation. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The work environment includes close collaboration with production, warehouse, and laboratory areas, where adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices and food safety protocols is essential. The role involves working with quality systems, documentation, and regulatory records, as well as spending time on the production floor and in storage areas to oversee inspections, quality checks, and compliance activities. Appropriate professional and safety attire, including any required personal protective equipment, is expected in production and laboratory areas to maintain a safe and compliant facility.
If interested please book a virtual meeting with me here:
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Hadley, MA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $110000.00 - $140000.00/yr.
PTO, Holiday, Summer Hours
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Hadley,MA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 7, 2026.
About Actalent


Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.


The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.


If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.



San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.



Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.



Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.