Quality Assurance Manager, Food ManufacturingPosition OverviewIntePros is seeking an experienced
Quality Assurance Manager to lead food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance activities within a high-volume, 24/7 food manufacturing environment.
This individual will provide leadership across plant quality systems while ensuring products consistently meet customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and internal food safety and quality standards. The QA Manager will oversee QA personnel and laboratory operations while serving as a key technical resource for
HACCP, SQF, GMP, microbiology, sanitation, environmental monitoring, audits, CAPA, and continuous improvement.
The ideal candidate brings strong experience within
food manufacturing, preferably dairy, cheese, cultured products, or a similarly regulated food production environment, along with demonstrated success leading QA teams and maintaining food safety systems.
Key ResponsibilitiesQuality & Food Safety Leadership- Lead and maintain plant-wide food safety and quality assurance programs within a 24/7 manufacturing operation.
- Manage the QA Supervisor and Plant Sanitarian, with indirect oversight of laboratory technicians.
- Promote a strong food safety culture throughout the manufacturing facility.
- Develop, maintain, evaluate, and continuously improve HACCP, SQF, GMP, Food Defense, Pest Control, and other food safety and quality programs.
- Serve as the facility's SQF Practitioner.
- Provide technical leadership and guidance related to food science, microbiology, quality, sanitation, and regulatory compliance.
- Partner with manufacturing and operational teams to improve quality KPIs and overall plant performance.
Laboratory & Product Quality- Oversee laboratory testing of raw materials, manufactured products, and plant/environmental samples.
- Manage laboratory staffing, scheduling, testing, supplies, equipment, and facilities.
- Ensure in-process and finished-product testing is completed accurately and within required timelines.
- Maintain accurate testing records and identify, trend, escalate, and address results that fall outside established quality standards.
- Oversee the facility's Pathogen Environmental Monitoring Program, including investigations and CAPAs related to out-of-specification results.
- Maintain appropriate laboratory certifications and testing standards as required.
Regulatory Compliance & Audits- Maintain compliance with applicable food safety and regulatory programs, including PMO, GMP, FDA, USDA, SQF, Food Defense, and applicable state requirements.
- Lead and support customer, regulatory, and certification audits.
- Support applicable Kosher and Halal certification requirements.
- Develop and lead corrective action plans and audit responses.
- Interpret regulatory requirements and implement necessary changes across plant operations.
- Review production documentation to ensure regulatory and quality requirements are consistently met.
Product Disposition & Traceability- Manage product Hold, Release, Rework, and Reject programs.
- Maintain authority and responsibility for final product disposition decisions.
- Maintain the facility's recall procedures and documentation.
- Lead mock recalls and traceability exercises.
- Ensure appropriate documentation, controls, and procedures are maintained throughout the product lifecycle.
Investigations & Continuous Improvement- Manage customer and consumer complaint programs.
- Lead root cause investigations, track and trend complaint data, and ensure timely communication and resolution.
- Develop and oversee CAPAs associated with quality, environmental monitoring, audit, and production issues.
- Schedule and lead regular plant quality inspections.
- Identify opportunities to improve food safety, product quality, manufacturing reliability, and customer satisfaction.
- Partner cross-functionally on continuous improvement and operational initiatives.
Training & Team Development- Provide leadership, coaching, and development to QA and laboratory personnel.
- Ensure required safety and quality training is completed.
- Provide employee training related to HACCP, SQF, GMP, sanitation, hygienic product handling, and food safety requirements.
- Build a high-performing quality organization focused on accountability, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.
Minimum Qualifications- Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or another related scientific discipline.
- 5+ years of experience within food manufacturing or dairy manufacturing.
- 5+ years of management and/or senior supervisory experience.
- Strong understanding of food science, microbiology, HACCP, SQF, GMP, and food safety principles.
- Demonstrated experience implementing and administering Quality Assurance metrics and KPIs.
- Experience supporting or leading food manufacturing regulatory and certification programs.
- Working knowledge of sanitation operations and current sanitation practices.
- Strong experience with root cause analysis, corrective actions, and quality problem solving.
- Ability to interpret regulatory requirements and translate them into operational procedures.
- Strong analytical, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams, influence cross-functional stakeholders, and manage multiple priorities within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Ability to work flexible hours when business or plant operations require additional support.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and Windows-based applications.
Preferred Qualifications- Direct experience within dairy, cheese, or cultured-product manufacturing.
- HACCP, PCQI, and/or SQF certification.
- Experience serving as an SQF Practitioner or supporting SQF certification.
- Experience with FDA, USDA, PMO, state, customer, Kosher, and/or Halal audits.
- Previous continuous improvement or project management experience.
- Experience managing environmental monitoring and pathogen-control programs.
- Experience overseeing a plant laboratory within a regulated food manufacturing operation.
Work EnvironmentThis position operates within an active food manufacturing environment and requires regular interaction with production, laboratory, sanitation, and operational teams.
The role may require frequent standing and walking throughout the facility, along with occasional climbing, stooping, kneeling, or crouching. The position may occasionally require lifting objects weighing up to approximately 45 pounds. Work may involve exposure to fluctuating temperatures, production noise, and other conditions typical of a manufacturing environment.
Required personal protective equipment and all facility safety procedures must be followed at all times.
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