Quality Assurance Manager

We're looking for a detail-oriented Quality Manager to be the day-to-day quality driver across beverage manufacturing operations. You'll oversee quality systems, product release decisions, and continuous improvement initiatives for our high-volume production environment. This is a hands-on role where you'll spend time in the lab, on the production floor, and supporting the quality assurance team through product testing, deviation management, and customer audits.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5 years of quality control or quality assurance experience in beverage, supplement, or food manufacturing
• Hands-on experience with microbiology testing, TPC, yeast/mold, coliform analysis, and pH measurement
• Strong working knowledge of FDA 21 CFR Part 111 and 117, FSMA, and GMP requirements
• Proficiency with quality management systems and documentation practices
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management abilities

Preferred:

• Experience in beverage co-packing or contract manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with thermal processing (pasteurization) and microbial control
• Experience with HACCP plans or FSSC 22000/SQF audits
• Knowledge of preservative systems and shelf-life testing
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Key Responsibilities

Daily Quality Operations & Product Release:

• Manage finished product quality control testing: TPC, yeast/mold, coliforms, pH, Brix, dissolved oxygen, and sensory evaluation
• Approve product release decisions in collaboration with the production team and Senior Director
• Monitor quality metrics: complaint trends, on-time release rates, and non-conformance rates
• Lead quick-turn root cause analysis (RCA) on out-of-spec products and deviations
• Maintain traceability documentation and lot tracking procedures for all batches

Quality Systems & Compliance:

• Support FDA compliance initiatives across 21 CFR Part 111 and 117
• Assist with customer audits (FSSC 22000, SQF) and prepare documentation packages
• Help maintain environmental monitoring programs, allergen controls, and preventive maintenance logs
• Oversee and coordinate third-party laboratory testing and microbial challenge studies
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for quality functions

Lab & Testing Oversight:

• Supervise the quality control lab team, including scheduling, training, and performance management
• Ensure lab equipment is calibrated, maintained, and properly documented
• Establish and track lab metrics: sample throughput, turnaround time, and test accuracy
• Manage sample library, shelf-life data, and technical documentation for new products
• Collaborate with R&D on product formulation validation and stability testing protocols

Process Improvement & Problem-Solving:

• Identify and drive quality improvement initiatives through production line observations
• Support the Senior Director in standardizing quality programs across all facilities
• Participate in deviation investigations and drive implementation of corrective actions (CAPAs)
• Work cross-functionally with Operations and Maintenance to resolve quality-related issues
• Monitor and report on quality KPIs to senior leadership