Sr. Manager, FSQA Operations

DescriptionOverview:The Baldor FSQA Operations Sr. Manager leads food safety and quality assurance operations across all Baldor facilities, including Fresh Cuts, Golden Meat, Pierless Fish, warehouses, transportation, and cross-dock operations. This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with FDA, USDA, state and local regulations, as well as certification standards such as SQF, AIB GMP, Organic, and Kosher, while driving the execution and continuous improvement of food safety, quality, and regulatory programs that protect customers, employees, contractors, and visitors. The position provides leadership and accountability for FSQA performance across assigned operations, develops FSQA Supervisors and site teams, partners with Operations and cross-functional leaders to identify and mitigate risks, drives corrective actions and KPI performance, and communicates food safety trends, risks, and results to senior leadership while fostering a culture of compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organization. Responsibilities:Ensure implementation of and day-to-day operational compliance with Baldor food safety programs across assigned facilities, including adherence to FDA (including FSMA), USDA, state, and local regulatory requirements, and certification standards such as SQF, AIB GMP, Kosher, and Organic; support certification audit execution in coordination with the FSQA Compliance & Systems team.Provide leadership and support for FSQA operations across Baldor manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, and cross-dock operations.Provide regular updates and recommendations to the FSQA Sr. Director regarding operational performance, risks, initiatives, and strategic priorities.Lead cross-functional food safety initiatives across assigned operations.Serve as a senior food safety leader and advisor to operational leadership regarding food safety risks, priorities, and strategic initiatives.Manage, coach, develop, and evaluate FSQA Supervisors and site teams while building organizational capability and succession plans.Partner with the FSQA Compliance & Systems team to investigate significant customer complaints, coordinate site-level root cause analysis, implement operational corrective actions, and confirm resolution.Lead operational execution of mock recalls, withdrawals, and recall events across assigned facilities in coordination with the FSQA Compliance & Systems team, and communicate results for program evaluation and recordkeeping.Monitor and drive timely closure of operational CAPAs resulting from audits, inspections, incidents, and investigations, across assigned sites, including confirming root cause, verifying effectiveness of implemented corrective actions, and communicating completion to the FSQA Compliance & Systems team for recordkeeping and closure.Conduct routine operational food safety assessments and audits across Baldor facilities and ensure timely implementation and verification of corrective actions.Lead the operational response to food safety incidents and concerns, including risk-based decisions on containment, product disposition, and operational controls; escalate as required in coordination with the FSQA Compliance & Systems team for documentation and regulatory communication.Authority to stop any process or operation across assigned facilities that does not meet established food safety standards, CCPs, or prerequisite program requirements as defined in Baldor's Food Safety Programs.Serve as the operational FSQA liaison for manufacturing equipment purchase requests, providing initial food safety input and coordinating formal equipment assessment with the FSQA Compliance & Systems team prior to purchase approval.Support regulatory inspections across assigned facilities, ensuring operational readiness and serving as the floor-level contact in coordination with the FSQA Compliance & Systems team.Lead delivery of food safety and quality training across assigned operations in partnership with the FSQA Compliance & Systems team; ensure training completion and comprehension across assigned sites and communicate results for recordkeeping.Demonstrate a strong and supportive presence on the facility manufacturing and warehouse floor, maintaining effective relationships with leaders, peers, vendors, and others, while supporting leadership decisions and follow through with team responsibilities.Review operational performance, audit findings, complaint trends, corrective actions, environmental monitoring data, temperature deviations, and other metrics to identify priorities and drive continuous improvement, in coordination with the FSQA Compliance & Systems team.Establish departmental goals, KPIs, staffing plans, and operational strategies to improve compliance, food safety culture, and risk reduction across assigned operations.Drive accountability across operational departments for sustained implementation of food safety programs and compliance requirements.Manage departmental budgets, resource allocation, and staffing requirements to support FSQA objectives.Assist in any other duties or projects assigned by Food Safety leadership. Requirements:· Possess expert-level knowledge of food safety, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and food safety management systems, especially FSMA and GFSI.Demonstrated experience in leading others and building food safety best practice cultures.Ability to influence and build credibility across cross-functional teams and leadership.Strong understanding and comprehension of food safety and quality systems.Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex regulatory requirements, CCPs, and prerequisite program standards across multi-site operations.Excellent analytical, critical thinking and written communication skills.Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills, especially for cross-functional collaboration.Ability to multi-task and work independently as well as contribute to the overall success of the team.Commitment to continued education and staying current with food safety regulations and industry best practices.Education and Experience:Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, Food Engineering, Quality Assurance, or related field. Equivalent combination of education and relevant industry experience will be considered.8+ years of progressive food safety and quality assurance experience with demonstrated leadership responsibility, including a minimum of 5 years in food manufacturing, food processing, warehousing, distribution, transportation, or related food industry operations.Subject matter expertise and relevant certifications preferred (SQF, PCQI, HACCP, ServSafe, lean management).English proficiency; Spanish/French a plus. Must be comfortable working in a bilingual environment.Technology Skills:Microsoft Office Suite: Outlook, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, Word.Quality Management Systems – SafeFood360 or equivalent.Warehouse Management Systems – HighJump or similar.Work Environment:M-F Day Shift. Weekends as needed. Ability to work in a warehouse and food processing environment. Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time in a cold environment.Push/Pull/Reach without accommodation.Ability to travel (15%).#LI-KZ1#LI-OnsiteRequirementsAbout BaldorSince our beginnings as part of the iconic Greenwich Village retail store, Balducci’s, Baldor has upheld its original promise—to curate and deliver the finest ingredients from around the world. For more than 30 years, we have supported the food industry using cutting-edge logistics, a modern supply chain, and an unwavering commitment to service. Today, we are the trusted distribution partner for top hotels, restaurants, country clubs, hospitals, nursing homes, and culinary professionals across the region.BenefitsBaldor is committed to supporting the well-being, stability, and long-term success of our employees. We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:Paid Time Off: Vacation, sick time, paid company holidays & floating holidaysCompany-Paid Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage401(k) Plan with Company MatchCompany-Paid Life InsuranceCompany-Paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability CoverageEmployee discounts on Baldor productsCommuter BenefitsCareer growth and development opportunitiesNote: Benefits may vary based on position and employment status.Join Our TeamIf you want to make an impact at a rapidly growing organization, we’d love to meet you. Apply today and help shape the future of specialty food distribution with Baldor!Employee Type: Full-Time