Quality Assurance Manager

Plant Based Innovations (PBI)

Location: Portland, OR 97220

Job Type: Full-time

Plant Based Innovations (PBI) is a growing food manufacturer specializing in cultured dairy and plant-based foods, including yogurt, sour cream, hummus, and other refrigerated products. We manufacture products for leading retail and foodservice customers in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

We are looking for an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to lead food safety and quality programs at our Portland manufacturing facility.

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for ensuring that products are manufactured safely, consistently, and in compliance with all applicable regulatory, customer, and company requirements.

This is a hands-on leadership role with responsibility for the facility's Quality Assurance and Food Safety programs, including HACCP, SQF, GMPs, FSMA, regulatory compliance, sanitation, audits, product inspections, corrective actions, and employee training.

The QA Manager will work closely with the Production Manager and Director of Operations to identify and resolve quality and food safety issues and drive continuous improvement throughout the facility.

• Lead and manage the facility's Quality Assurance and Food Safety programs.
• Maintain and continuously improve the facility's HACCP and SQF programs.
• Serve as the facility's SQF Practitioner and coordinate SQF certification and audits.
• Prepare for and manage third-party and regulatory audits, including SQF, FDA, USDA, Organic, Kosher, and state inspections.
• Conduct routine internal food safety, GMP, sanitation, and quality audits.
• Ensure raw materials, packaging, work-in-process, and finished products meet established food safety and quality requirements.
• Investigate product deviations, customer complaints, non-conformances, and other quality issues and ensure appropriate corrective and preventive actions are implemented.
• Develop, maintain, and improve SOPs, SSOPs, work instructions, policies, and food safety documentation.
• Ensure food safety and quality records are complete, accurate, and properly maintained.
• Develop and conduct food safety, GMP, quality, and employee training programs.
• Oversee environmental, product, and other required testing programs.
• Partner with Production and Sanitation to ensure hygienic and compliant manufacturing operations.
• Maintain and manage the facility's food defense and food safety plans.
• Monitor regulatory, customer, and certification requirements and update plant programs accordingly.
• Work with Purchasing and suppliers to ensure ingredients, raw materials, and packaging meet established specifications and food safety requirements.
• Communicate significant food safety and quality issues to management and ensure timely resolution.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives related to food safety, quality, sanitation, and manufacturing processes.
• Promote and maintain a strong food safety culture throughout the facility.
  

• 3–5 years of food safety and/or quality experience in food manufacturing.
• Dairy manufacturing experience required; yogurt or cultured dairy experience strongly preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, FSMA, and food safety programs.
• SQF Practitioner certification or experience.
• PCQI certification or willingness to obtain certification.
• Experience preparing for and participating in SQF and regulatory audits.
• Strong understanding of QA/QC principles, documentation, investigations, and corrective actions.
• Ability to independently manage the QA function while working collaboratively with Operations and Production.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in reading and writing English.

• Experience with cultured dairy products, particularly yogurt, sour cream, or similar refrigerated products.
• Experience with FDA and/or USDA-regulated facilities.
• Experience with Organic and Kosher certification programs.
• Experience managing QA/QC personnel or leading a QA team.
• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Dairy Science, or a related field.
  

• 401(k) / retirement plan
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Paid time off
• Employee discount
  

This is an opportunity to take ownership of the Quality Assurance and Food Safety function within a growing food manufacturing company.

The successful candidate will have significant responsibility, work directly with Operations and senior management, and have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our products, processes, and food safety culture.

If you are an experienced food safety and quality professional who enjoys a hands-on manufacturing environment, takes ownership, and is looking for an opportunity to grow with a dynamic company, we would like to hear from you.