Food Safety QA Manager

The FSQA Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of Food Safety and Quality Assurance operations across both facilities. This role ensures continuous audit readiness, regulatory compliance, and effective execution of established food safety programs.

The FSQA Manager leads QA Technicians across both shifts and buildings, oversees third-party sanitation and vendors, and ensures that all food safety and quality standards are consistently maintained. This position focuses on execution, accountability, and operational excellence, while supporting ongoing process improvements and cross-functional collaboration.

Duties and responsibilities

• Manage the daily operations of the FSQA department across both facilities and shifts
• Ensure continuous audit readiness (SQF, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits)
• Maintain compliance with all food safety programs (HACCP, GMP, SQF, traceability, environmental monitoring, etc.)
• Directly manage, coach, and develop hourly QA Technicians and QA Supervisors across both shifts and facilities
• Supervise, coach, and develop QA Technicians on both shifts
• Oversee third-party sanitation programs and ensure compliance with company and regulatory standards
• Manage relationships with third-party vendors related to food safety and quality
• Handle and respond to customer complaints, ensuring timely investigation, resolution, and documentation
• Oversee food safety documentation, logs, and records to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Ensure the facility remains audit-ready at all times
• Monitor and enforce adherence to food safety and quality policies and procedures
• Review QA reports and ensure accuracy and completeness
• Support and drive process improvements to enhance food safety and operational efficiency
• Develop and maintain training programs to ensure compliance with SQF and internal standards
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Warehouse, and other departments to resolve food safety and quality issues
• Hold team members accountable for performance, compliance, and execution
• Promote a strong food safety culture across the organization

Other tasks as assigned. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

• College degree in Food Science, Food Safety, or related field preferred
• Minimum 5 years of FSQA leadership experience in food manufacturing
• Must be a certified SQF Practitioner
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, SQF standards, and audit processes
• Experience managing customer and third-party audits
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop teams
• Strong ability to build relationships and collaborate cross-functionally
• Experience managing multiple shifts and teams
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Excellent communication (written and verbal)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, reporting systems)
• Must have a sense of urgency and strong accountability mindset
• Must demonstrate a strong teamwork mentality
• Must be available to work Sundays and other flexible hours as needed (including holidays).
• Must read, write, and speak English (Bilingual in Spanish preferred).
• Must be able to manage operations across multiple buildings.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficient in Office 365 applications, including Excel, Word, and database management tools.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills to analyze quality and safety issues, identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and ensure continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency and flexibility to effectively manage shifting priorities and work schedules in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and training skills.
• Business Central knowledge a plus

Working conditions

• Cold, wet, and fast-paced and wet manufacturing environment.
• Temperature ranges between 34°F and 38°F.
• Exposure to noise, moving equipment, and cleaning chemicals.
• Standing, walking, and lifting up to 50 lbs. for extended periods.
• Employees in QA positions may be exposed to laboratory chemicals used in titration, including acid-based substances that can cause skin or eye irritation or burns if proper safety precautions are not followed. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required and provided.
• Physical requirements
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to see, hear, speak, walk, read, sit, twist, and bend
• The employee must frequently stand and walk.
• The employee may be required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.