Quality Assurance Manager

Job Overview

The Quality Assurance (QA) Manager is a key leadership role responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating the plant’s quality assurance program to prevent or eliminate product defects. As an equal partner across departments, the QA Manager leads the plant to achieve the highest inspection scores, product evaluation ratings, and overall operational excellence awards.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Regulatory Compliance

• Quality Program Ownership: Design, implement, and continuously update the core QA program, including defining personnel requirements, team responsibilities, and operational procedures.
• Regulatory & 3rd-Party Audits: Act as the primary liaison to Federal and State regulatory agencies and lead preparation for 3rd-party inspections. Develop and document swift corrective actions for any identified deficiencies.
• Compliance Oversight: Manage and maintain full compliance for all critical food safety and sanitation programs, including HACCP, SSOP, SOP, Master Sanitation, and Environmental sampling.
• Wastewater & Safety Support: Monitor wastewater effluent data and actively assist with the plant’s overall safety program.

Daily Operations & Lab Management

• Lab Supervision: Oversee laboratory technicians, ensuring standard testing procedures and scientific techniques are performed accurately and in compliance with company policy and applicable laws.
• Data & Communication: Monitor, analyze, and communicate laboratory test results to leadership, and spearhead the product recall program if necessary.
• Facility Inspections: Conduct routine facility audits, flagging deficiencies and partnering with relevant departments to implement corrective actions.
• Sanitation & SOP Training: Monitor plant cleanup procedures and directly train employees on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Supply Chain

• Financial Oversight: Manage the lab and cleaning supply budgets, while maintaining a clear understanding of the plant repair budget.
• Interdepartmental Support: Investigate isolated quality issues and collaborate with other department heads to establish localized quality protocols.
• Product Development & Complaints: Partner with management on new product development, including setting specifications, labeling compliance, and investigating customer product complaints.
• Supplier Quality: Monitor, evaluate, and confer with vendors regarding the quality and technical standards of incoming raw materials.

Core Requirements

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline, OR a minimum of five (5) years of directly related quality management work experience.
• Technical & Analytical Skills: Advanced proficiency in mathematical concepts (including probability and statistics) and the practical application of scientific formulas, equations, and data graphing.
• Autonomy: Proven ability to drive results, manage programs, and lead a team efficiently without direct, day-to-day supervision.