2nd and 3rd Shift Quality Assurance Lead

Job Summary

The Quality Assurance Lead serves as the senior quality representative on their assigned shift and is responsible for supporting the Quality Assurance team, Production, and Management in maintaining food safety, regulatory compliance, and product quality standards. In addition to performing all duties of a Quality Assurance Technician, the QA Lead provides technical guidance, training, coaching, auditing, and troubleshooting support to ensure quality systems are consistently followed throughout the facility.

The QA Lead acts as the primary escalation point for quality concerns during their shift and helps drive a culture of food safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Core Responsibilities

1. Quality Systems & Technical Support

• Perform all Quality Assurance Technician responsibilities as required.
• Provide guidance and support to QA Technicians regarding testing procedures, specifications, and quality standards.
• Review and verify pH, Brix, viscosity, sensory, and other quality testing results.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for quality-related escalations during the shift.
• Investigate product quality concerns and assist with root cause analysis.
• Ensure products are manufactured in accordance with customer specifications and regulatory requirements.
• Review and approve QA Holds and ensure proper documentation is completed.
• Assist with product disposition decisions and corrective action implementation.

2. Leadership & Team Development

• Train and mentor new and existing QA employees.
• Conduct routine observations to verify technicians are performing required duties correctly.
• Reinforce GMP, Food Safety, and Quality expectations throughout the facility.
• Assist management with employee development plans and performance improvement initiatives.
• Promote a positive, collaborative working relationship between QA and Production.

3. Auditing & Compliance

• Conduct routine GMP, Food Safety, Documentation, and Process Audits.
• Verify that production records and quality documentation are completed accurately and in real time.
• Identify and address documentation deficiencies, including falsification or incomplete records.
• Support internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.
• Assist in maintaining compliance with FDA, HACCP, GMP, SQF, and customer requirements.
• Review environmental monitoring and allergen control programs.

4. Production Support

• Support Production during startup, changeovers, first-time runs, and troubleshooting events.
• Verify that line checks and production quality checks are being completed accurately and at required frequencies.
• Assist with investigations involving customer complaints, holds, rework, and non-conforming product.
• Monitor production processes and identify opportunities for quality improvement.
• Partner with Production Supervisors and Managers to resolve quality concerns quickly and effectively.

5. Documentation & Reporting

• Review quality records for completeness and accuracy.
• Assist with trend analysis and reporting of quality metrics.
• Prepare investigation summaries, corrective actions, and quality reports.
• Maintain organized and audit-ready records.
• Communicate shift activities and ongoing issues through detailed shift handoffs.

6. Continuous Improvement

• Participate in food safety and quality improvement initiatives.
• Assist with SOP development and revision.
• Identify opportunities to reduce defects, waste, holds, and customer complaints.
• Support implementation of preventive and corrective actions.

Technical Proficiencies

Required

· Strong knowledge of GMPs, Food Safety, HACCP, and Quality Systems

· Strong understanding of food manufacturing processes and quality controls

· Ability to lead and influence others without direct authority

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills in a manufacturing environment

· Strong problem-solving and root cause investigation skills

· Ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced production environment

· Strong organizational and time-management skills

· Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP systems

Preferred

· Bilingual English/Spanish

· HACCP Certification

· PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual)

· Internal Auditor Certification

· SQF Practitioner Certification

· Experience supporting SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000, or similar GFSI-certified programs

Key Soft Skills

Technical Communication

Ability to clearly explain quality concerns, test results, and compliance requirements to production staff, supervisors, and management. Comfortable documenting processes in plain language for both internal records and regulatory review.

Leadership Without Authority

Guides and influences QA Technicians and Production personnel without direct supervisory authority. Leads by example, sets the standard for GMP and food safety compliance, and holds others accountable through coaching rather than command.

Analytical Problem-Solving

Proactively identifies patterns in recurring quality defects, documents findings, and drives root cause investigations to reduce holds, rework, and customer complaints. Contributes to corrective and preventive action plans.

Detail Oriented

Precision in testing, documentation, and audit execution is non-negotiable. Incomplete or inaccurate quality records can have regulatory and customer consequences. The QA Lead is expected to uphold and model the highest standard of documentation integrity.

Collaboration & Production Partnership

Works closely with Production Supervisors and Managers across all shifts to resolve quality concerns without friction. A team-first mindset with the ability to prioritize competing demands and communicate proactively is essential.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum 3 to 5 years of Quality Assurance experience in food or beverage manufacturing.
• Experience with HACCP, GMP, FDA regulations, and food safety systems required.
• Demonstrated ability to train, mentor, or lead others in a quality or production environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP systems.

Preferred

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field.
• Experience supporting SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000, or similar GFSI-certified programs.
• Previous leadership, training, mentoring, or supervisory experience in a food manufacturing setting.
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Ability to work in hot, cold, wet, and noisy manufacturing environments.
• Ability to climb stairs and access elevated production platforms.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, and reach while conducting inspections and audits.
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to taste and evaluate finished products.
• Ability to wear required PPE.
• Ability to distinguish colors and identify visual quality defects.
• Ability to respond quickly to quality concerns throughout the facility.

Why This Role Matters

At Tone Products, food safety and product quality are the foundation of everything we produce. Every item that leaves this facility carries our name and the trust of our customers. The Quality Assurance Lead is on the floor every shift ensuring that trust is earned, maintained, and protected.

This role is not just a technical position. It is a leadership role that drives accountability across QA and Production. The QA Lead sets the tone for how quality standards are upheld shift to shift, and their presence directly impacts our audit readiness, compliance standing, and customer satisfaction. As Tone Products continues to grow, this position is a cornerstone of building a scalable, resilient quality function.

Pay: $28.00 - $32.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $28 - $32