LAB - Quality Assurance Manager

Job Description

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Quality Assurance (QA) Manager to lead quality assurance and food safety initiatives. This includes administering food safety and food defense plans and ensuring our quality systems are always audit-ready. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with all regulatory and auditing requirements, develop and maintain quality assurance policies, and drive continuous improvement initiatives to uphold product excellence. This position will report directly to the Vice President of Quality.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Develop, lead, and supervise a team of 2 quality specialists.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Develop and improve quality assurance and food safety systems, programs, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with GMPs, FDA regulations, SQF guidelines, and other food safety regulations.

Responsible for leading annual third-party and customer audits, and ensuring we meet or exceed internal and customer benchmarks.

Ensure adherence to customer requirements by performing gap analyses and driving action items through to completion.

Lead document control program.

Oversee quality assurance processes, including formula and bill-of-material review and approval.

Lead efforts to investigate customer complaints and non-conformance issues, implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).

Conduct internal audits and GMP inspections.

Ensure quality and production records are reviewed and submitted to internal and external stakeholders in a timely manner.

Maintain accurate documentation and records of quality assurance activities, ensuring traceability and compliance.

Communicate regularly with customers.

Lead pre-requisite programs as assigned by the VP of Quality.

Play an active role in the transition to digitizing record-keeping and data collection.

Collaborate with other departments to ensure consistent product quality and safety.

Required Skills and Education:

Bachelor’s degree in a related industrial, scientific, or business field required.

5+ years of experience in quality assurance or quality control within the food or beverage manufacturing industry.

Strong knowledge of HACCP/HARPC, SQF, FSMA, GMP, and other food safety regulations.

Must be an advocate for the consumer and customer.

Knowledge of complaint investigation process, and experience performing root cause analysis and implementing corrective/preventive actions.

Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills. Must also have excellent organizational skills and be detail oriented.

Experience interfacing directly with customers/clients.

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.

Proficiency in quality management systems, data analysis, and reporting tools.

Nice-to-Have’s:

Three or more years of supervisory/management experience.

Strong preference for HACCP Certification, SQF Practitioner, and PCQI.

Experience in digitizing record collection and review processes.

Experience with laboratory testing methods and frontline quality control procedures.

Full-time