What are the responsibilities and job description for the QA Manager FIS position at Oterra?
Job Description Position Title
Quality Assurance Manager – FIS
Department
Quality Assurance
Reports To
FIS Site Leader
Direct Reports
QA Specialists across Oterra US Sites
Position Summary
The QA Manager – FIS is responsible and accountable for maintaining and continuously improving quality systems that enable the site to operate effectively and efficiently while complying with all global standards, local regulations, and legal requirements.
This role ensures the implementation and oversight of food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance programs, including HACCP, GMP, and certification standards. The QA Manager leads quality initiatives, manages audits and certifications, and supports cross-functional collaboration to maintain product safety, integrity, and compliance across Oterra operations.
Key Responsibilities Quality Systems & Food Safety
Quality Assurance Manager – FIS
Department
Quality Assurance
Reports To
FIS Site Leader
Direct Reports
QA Specialists across Oterra US Sites
Position Summary
The QA Manager – FIS is responsible and accountable for maintaining and continuously improving quality systems that enable the site to operate effectively and efficiently while complying with all global standards, local regulations, and legal requirements.
This role ensures the implementation and oversight of food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance programs, including HACCP, GMP, and certification standards. The QA Manager leads quality initiatives, manages audits and certifications, and supports cross-functional collaboration to maintain product safety, integrity, and compliance across Oterra operations.
Key Responsibilities Quality Systems & Food Safety
- Serve as HACCP Team Leader or active HACCP team member.
- Review and approve HACCP analyses of production processes in alignment with global and cross-site HACCP requirements.
- Implement and maintain local HACCP, GMP procedures, pest control systems, and verification activities.
- Develop and maintain the environmental monitoring program framework and approve monitoring reports.
- Define and implement requirements for raw material handling, segregation, labeling, and receiving inspection.
- Approve allergen cleaning validation and verification results.
- Implement and maintain systems for corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Approve change control documentation impacting product quality, HACCP analysis, and cleaning efficiency.
- Approve new products, production shifts, and process changes, particularly when involving new raw materials or processes.
- Approve User Requirement Specifications (URS) for new equipment, qualification programs, and validation results prior to production release.
- Conduct internal audits according to the global audit plan.
- Evaluate, audit, and approve toll manufacturers and food safety–critical service providers.
- Perform audits of raw material manufacturers, distributors, external warehouses, subcontractors, and transporters in accordance with global standards.
- Lead and manage external certification audits and customer audits, including handling findings and corrective actions.
- Support and maintain regulatory and certification authorizations, including FDA, Organic, Kosher, and Halal.
- Provide input into the global audit plan and ensure auditor competency.
- Deliver training in:
- Quality systems
- HACCP
- GMP
- Corrective and preventive action processes
- Support customer complaint handling, including challenging and approving root cause analyses and preventive actions.
- Identify preventive actions and improvement opportunities based on incidents, complaints, audits, and CAPA trends.
- Report on local and global KPIs to site management and the Head of QA, Oterra.
- Plan, conduct, and report management review activities.
- Provide quality support to Sales through Salesforce and other customer interactions when needed.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in:
- Food Science
- Food Manufacturing
- Chemical Engineering
- Microbiology
- Or related field
- Experience working in food manufacturing or food ingredient production environments.
- Strong knowledge of Food Safety Management Systems and HACCP.
- Experience with FSSC 22000 or equivalent food safety standards.
- Experience conducting or supporting quality and food safety audits.
- Understanding of production processes and product applications.
- Demonstrated leadership and team management capabilities.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration and interpersonal skills.
- Effective communication, presentation, and training abilities.
- Highly systematic, customer-focused, and results-oriented.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Food safety compliance and certification standards
- Continuous improvement of quality systems
- Audit readiness and regulatory compliance
- Cross-site quality alignment