Job Description:The
Regional FSQA Manager is responsible for overseeing and directing food safety and quality systems across multiple manufacturing facilities. This role ensures that all pet food products meet or exceed company standards, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements (FDA, FSMA, and AAFCO). The successful candidate will drive a culture of food safety, manage regional quality audits, and provide technical leadership to plant-level FSQA teams.
DESCRIPTION OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:- Regulatory & Compliance: Ensure all regional facilities are in full compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls (HARPC), and AAFCO labeling and nutritional standards.
- Quality Systems Management: Standardize and maintain Robust Quality Management Systems (QMS) across the region, including Environmental Monitoring Programs (EMP), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
- Audit Leadership: Lead and prepare facilities for Third-Party audits (SQF, BRC, or IFS) and regulatory inspections. Conduct internal audits to identify gaps and drive continuous improvement.
- Supplier & Ingredient Integrity: Monitor regional ingredient quality and work with procurement to resolve supplier non-conformance issues, specifically focusing on the rendering and raw material safety critical to pet food.
- Team Leadership: Provide functional leadership, coaching, and training to Plant Quality Managers. Foster a proactive food safety culture where every employee is empowered to "stop the line."
- Incident Management: Lead root-cause analysis (RCA) and Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) for any quality deviations, consumer complaints, or potential recall situations.
- Lab Oversight: Oversee operations, ensuring accurate testing for physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters (e.g., Salmonella, Mycotoxins, and nutritional analysis).
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: (To perform this job successfully, and individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required).
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Animal Science, or a related technical field.
- Experience: 7+ years of FSQA experience in food or pet food manufacturing, with at least 3 years in a multi-site or regional leadership capacity.
- Certifications: PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) and HACCP certifications are required. GFSI (SQF or BRC) practitioner status is highly preferred.
- Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of pet food processing (Extrusion, Retort, or Raw) and the specific microbiological risks associated with animal feed.
- Analytical Rigor: Ability to interpret complex data to identify trends in product quality or safety.
- Communication: Exceptional ability to translate technical safety requirements into actionable instructions for frontline operations.
- Travel: Ability to travel up to 50% to various manufacturing sites within the region.
- Crisis Management: Calm and decisive under pressure when handling product holds or safety concerns.
