Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance Manager

Lead Food Safety & Quality Excellence in a Growing Meat Processing Organization

Are you a results-driven Quality Assurance leader with a passion for food safety, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement? Do you thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where quality, safety, and operational excellence are top priorities?

Our client, a well-established and rapidly growing meat processing company, is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to lead all food safety, quality assurance, sanitation, and regulatory compliance initiatives. This key leadership role offers the opportunity to drive best-in-class quality programs, build a strong food safety culture, and support the company's continued growth and success.

Position Summary

The Quality Assurance Manager will serve as the facility's subject matter expert for food safety, quality systems, and regulatory compliance. This individual will work closely with Operations, Production, Regulatory Affairs, and Executive Leadership to ensure products consistently meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all Quality Assurance, Food Safety, and Sanitation programs throughout the facility.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, SQF, GMPs, SSOPs, allergen control programs, and all prerequisite food safety programs.
• Develop and implement continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product quality, food safety, and operational performance.
• Oversee relationships with third-party laboratories, coordinate product testing, and review analytical results.
• Investigate quality and food safety concerns, conduct root cause analyses, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead and prepare for SQF, customer, USDA, FDA, FSIS, and third-party audits.
• Conduct supplier and vendor quality assessments and audits.
• Maintain compliance with USDA, FDA, FSIS, state regulatory agencies, customer requirements, Halal certifications, Organic standards, and industry regulations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory agencies, inspectors, and auditors.
• Manage USDA label approvals, product specifications, and regulatory documentation.
• Oversee customer complaint investigations and supplier approval programs.
• Develop, maintain, and improve SOPs that support food safety and quality objectives.
• Partner with Product Development teams on new product commercialization, formulations, nutritional labeling, ingredient statements, and processing specifications.
• Monitor environmental compliance programs, wastewater management, sanitation systems, and hazardous waste practices.
• Maintain equipment calibration, validation, and verification programs.
• Conduct food safety risk assessments for new equipment, facility modifications, and capital improvement projects.
• Collaborate with Operations and Maintenance teams on budgeting, capital projects, and strategic planning initiatives.
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and lead a high-performing Quality Assurance team.
• Champion a culture of food safety, quality excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Quality Assurance, or a related field preferred.
• 5 years of leadership experience in Quality Assurance within food manufacturing, meat processing, poultry, protein, or related industries.
• Strong working knowledge of:
• SQF
• HACCP
• GMPs
• SSOPs
• USDA, FDA, and FSIS regulations
• Allergen Control Programs
• Proven experience leading regulatory inspections, customer audits, and certification audits.
• Strong understanding of root cause analysis, corrective action programs, and quality management systems.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, team-building, and organizational skills.
• Experience working with third-party laboratories, certification bodies, and regulatory agencies.

Preferred Certifications & Experience

• SQF Practitioner Certification
• HACCP Certification
• PCQI Certification
• Experience with Halal and Organic certification programs
• Multi-site food manufacturing experience
• Experience supporting rapid growth and continuous improvement initiatives