QA Operations Manager -Production QualityWhat We Need:We are looking for a QA Manager of Production who will lead the execution of quality assurance systems across a multi-shift, fast-paced food manufacturing environment, ensuring compliance, driving accountability, and strengthening a culture of true quality ownership on the production floor. This role is highly hands-on, requiring approximately 80% of time spent on the plant floor actively supporting production operations, coaching teams, verifying execution, and driving real-time decision making.
The QA Manager of Production will ensure consistent food safety and quality controls across all kitchens and packaging lines, maintain end-to-end product integrity, and own the execution of Quality Assurance Systems from raw material through finished product. The ideal candidate is a proactive leader who thrives in a high-volume environment, demonstrates expert multitasking abilities, operates with a high level of autonomy, and leads through visibility, accountability, and direct engagement with production teams.
What You Will Do:Production Quality Ownership - Ensure consistent food safety and quality standards across all production stages and shifts
- Serve as the primary QA contact for routine production activities and day-to-day exception resolution
- Identify and appropriately escalate issues requiring Director-level intervention
- Drive accountability for quality execution in real time on the production floor
- Maintain a strong plant-floor presence through hands-on leadership, coaching, and direct engagement with operators and supervisors
- Partner cross-functionally with Production, Operations, and Sanitation teams to ensure alignment on quality expectations and execution
Line Checks & Process Verification- Own and manage the Line Check Program across all kitchens and packaging lines
- Ensure line checks are:
- Completed on time
- Completed accurately
- Reflective of actual production conditions
- Validate execution using:
- Documentation review
- Physical product inspection
- Direct observation of operator performance
- Independent QA verification checks
- Ensure line checks are treated as meaningful control points rather than checkbox compliance activities
- Provide immediate feedback, coaching, and corrective action when deviations are identified
Risk-Based Quality Oversight (Critical Responsibility) - Apply risk-based decision making to prioritize quality oversight based on:
- Product history and prior deviation trends
- New or modified products/processes
- High-risk SKUs or sensitive categories
- Ingredient variability and supply chain changes
- Packaging changes or new materials
- Line staffing conditions, including:
- Operator experience level
- Whether team members are regulars or new to the line
- Ability of staff to detect and respond to deviations
- QA technician assignment and capability on each line
- Exercise authority to stop or shut down production lines when food safety or quality standards are at risk
- Operate independently with sound judgment while balancing production demands with quality and food safety expectations
What You Need:- Bachelor's degree required
- 5+ years of experience in Quality within a manufacturing or packaging environment
- Minimum 2 years of supervisory or people leadership experience
- Strong KPI ownership, reporting, and data analysis experience
- Proven ability to lead with a hands-on management style in a production environment
- Ability to spend approximately 80% of working time on the plant floor supporting operations and driving execution
- Strong risk-based decision-making capabilities; this position will have the authority to shut down production lines
- High engagement and credibility with production operators through visible leadership and real-time problem solving
- Demonstrated ability to operate with a high level of autonomy while driving accountability across multiple shifts and departments
- Expert multitasking capabilities with the ability to prioritize and manage competing operational demands effectively
- Strong working knowledge of:
- HACCP
- GMP
- FDA food safety regulations
- GFSI standards (e.g., SQF)
- Strong problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset
- Ability to multitask in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
- Proficiency in MS Office required; advanced data manipulation skills are a plus
- Must be fully on-site with the ability to support off-shift operations as needed
- Must be an initiator and driver of change, proactively identifying gaps and improving execution
- Continuous improvement mindset driven by proactive leadership and safety-first decision making
