DescriptionReporting to the Region Director of Operations, and with a dotted line to the Senior Manager of Quality Systems, the Regional Quality Manager serves as an embedded Operational Quality Partner, not a site auditor or inspector. The focus is to work alongside site teams to strengthen quality system execution, build problem-solving capability, develop audit readiness, and transfer knowledge across facilities within the region. This role is the extension of the company's Quality Operating Model and a key link between site-level execution and enterprise quality governance. As well, the Region Quality Manager is customer-facing, owns customer quality escalations within the region and serves as the regional lead for customer audit preparation across sites.
- Location: Seattle, WA, Portland, OR or Petaluma, CA
- Travel: 25%-50% to region sites in Dallas, Tennessee and Alabama
- Compensation: $115k-$140k base salary, depending on experience, plus up to 10% bonus
- Benefits: Comprehensive package includes Health, Dental, and Vision insurance, 401(k) with generous company contribution, PTO includes vacation (120 hours), sick leave (52 hours), and 8 holidays, Paid Leave (paid maternity leave for employees who qualify for FMLA, as well as parental leave), and tailor-made career development plans. Company rewards employees with performance-based salary increases.
The ideal person for this role will;- Lead through coaching and partnership - building trust with site teams as a resource, not an authority figure passing judgment.
- Be comfortable operating across multiple sites and stakeholders simultaneously - managing competing priorities without losing follow-through.
- Bring strong root cause analysis instincts and the ability to transfer those skills to others through hands-on coaching.
- Thrive in a field-based, travel-heavy role with a high degree of independence and limited daily supervision.
- Be energized by building capability in others - measuring success by how much stronger sites become, not by how much they depend on regional support.
Responsibilities include:- Serve as the embedded quality resource for site teams within the assigned region, providing hands-on coaching and support for QMS execution
- Partner with site quality personnel and plant management to strengthen day-to-day quality system performance
- Support sites in achieving and sustaining compliance with applicable certification standards (ISO 9001, SQF, AIB, IFS PACsecure, ISO 13485, SGP, or others as applicable)
- Assist sites in interpreting and applying enterprise quality standards, policies, and procedures developed by Corporate Quality
- Support site teams in conducting structured root cause analysis for nonconformances, customer complaints, and audit findings
- Coach site personnel through corrective action development, ensuring proposed actions address verified root causes rather than symptoms
- Monitor CAPA effectiveness within the region and escalate systemic or recurring issues to the Senior Manager, Quality Systems
- Participate in regional escalations as a quality resource for complex problem-solving requiring cross-functional coordination
- Own and manage customer quality escalations within the assigned region, acting as a customer-facing point of contact and driving escalated quality issues through to resolution.
- Support sites in maintaining audit readiness for internal, customer, and third-party certification audits
- Assist in conducting or facilitating internal audits within the region as the enterprise audit model matures
- Identify and communicate pre-audit gaps, track readiness actions, and coordinate with site teams to close findings proactively
- Participate in cross-regional audits as directed by the Senior Manager, Quality Systems
- Serve as the regional lead for customer audit preparation, ensuring each site within the region is ready for customer audits
- Identify site-level quality personnel development needs and coordinate with Corporate Quality on training and development interventions
- Serve as the primary quality communication link between regional sites and the Corporate Quality function
- Maintain awareness of site quality performance, certification status, open CAPA items, and emerging risk across the regional portfolio
- Support regional operations leadership with quality data and insight needed for operational decision-making
Must-Have Skills, Experience, and Education:- 5+ years of quality management experience in manufacturing, with ownership of a site-level QMS
- Working knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 or equivalent; internal auditor experience
- Practical experience with structured root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies
- Ability to work effectively across multiple sites and stakeholders with limited direct authority
- Strong interpersonal and coaching skills; ability to build trust and influence without positional authority
- Customer-facing communication skills, including the ability to manage customer quality escalations and support or lead customer audits
Nice-to-Have Skills, Experience, and Education:- Food safety standards (SQF, AIB, IFS PACsecure, HACCP, or equivalent)
- Exposure to label, packaging, or consumer goods manufacturing environments
- Lead auditor certification or equivalent third-party audit preparation experience
- Familiarity with CAPA governance, effectiveness verification, and corrective action tracking systems
- Experience supporting multi-site or multi-standard certification programs
