Food Safety Quality Assurance Manager

About the Role
The Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining robust food safety and quality systems across all areas of the production process. This leadership role ensures that all products meet regulatory requirements and customer specifications while supporting continuous improvement initiatives. The position is critical to maintaining compliance with USDA, FDA, GFSI, and HACCP standards within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. Keywords: food safety, quality assurance, HACCP, GFSI, food manufacturing, regulatory compliance, SQF, GMP.

Responsibilities:

• Lead all food safety and quality assurance programs, including HACCP, SQF, GMP, allergen management, and traceability
• Manage internal audits, third-party inspections, customer audits, and certification processes (e.g., SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000)
• Develop, update, and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), and food safety plans
• Supervise product testing for microbiological, chemical, and physical hazards in raw materials, in-process, and finished products
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions for non-conformances
• Maintain and verify documentation of all quality and safety records in alignment with regulatory and customer requirements
• Train production and sanitation staff on food safety best practices, allergen controls, and personal hygiene requirements
• Coordinate with R&D, operations, and procurement teams to ensure quality standards are met during new product development and raw material sourcing
• Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory agencies, auditors, and key customers regarding food safety concerns
• Lead initiatives for continuous improvement in food safety culture, product consistency, and process validation

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in food science, microbiology, food safety, or a related scientific discipline
• 3 or more years of experience managing food safety and quality systems in a food manufacturing environment
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMP, FDA, USDA, FSMA, and third-party certification programs such as SQF or BRC
• Certified HACCP and experience with internal and external audits
• Excellent leadership, documentation, and problem-solving skills
• Proficient in quality assurance software, Microsoft Office, and document control systems

Desired Qualifications:

• PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification
• SQF Practitioner certification or experience with GFSI-recognized schemes
• Experience with environmental monitoring programs, allergen control, and foreign material prevention
• Background in statistical process control (SPC) or Six Sigma quality tools
• Bilingual in English and Spanish