Assistant Quality Assurance Manager

Join the Our Talent Network • Syracuse, NY

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About The Position

The Assistant Quality Assurance Manager supports the Quality Assurance Manager in overseeing plant-wide quality assurance activities and ensuring compliance with Upstate Niagara Cooperative standards and regulatory requirements. The role is responsible for the direction, coordination, and evaluation of the plant quality unit, including employee supervision, and serves as a plant-level representative of Corporate Quality Assurance and a key member of the Food Safety team.

The position manages quality plans, GMP and sanitation practices, regulatory compliance, audits, corrective actions, product specifications and documentation, laboratory operations, testing, and sampling. It also develops and monitors employee training, leads and supervises quality-control personnel, and works with plant management, production, sanitation, purchasing, customers, vendors, and regulators.

The regular schedule is Monday through Friday on first shift, with overnight coverage required approximately twice per month from 11:00 PM to 8:00 AM. Hours may vary with business needs. The role may require working off shifts to support cleaning and sanitation and traveling to UNC facilities to support food safety and quality programs and third-party audits.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in food, dairy or natural sciences, microbiology, biology, or a related scientific field preferred; an associate degree with 5–7 years of related experience and/or training may be considered.
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in food manufacturing or quality assurance.
• Demonstrated management and supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge of GMP, GSP, and food safety regulations.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in data entry, documentation, and laboratory testing procedures.
• Effective verbal and written communication abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality systems software.
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality standards.
• Ability to lead and train cross-functional teams.
• Adaptability in a fast-paced, regulated manufacturing environment.
• Collaborative mindset and strong decision-making capabilities.
• Integrity and confidentiality when managing sensitive quality data.
• Willingness to work off shifts to support the cleaning and sanitation program.
• Willingness to travel to UNC facilities to support food safety and quality program development and third-party audits.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience with regulatory audits and food safety programs such as SQF.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the QA Manager and Plant Management to develop and implement the Plant Quality Plan, including GMP.
• Define and communicate the role of quality across the facility to promote continuous improvement.
• Review and audit manufacturing procedures for compliance with established protocols.
• Identify nonconformances and lead corrective-action initiatives.
• Maintain compliance with federal and state requirements and serve as the plant liaison during inspections and audits.
• Maintain, update, and enforce GMP guidelines.
• Validate sanitation practices, conduct regular audits, and evaluate new sanitation techniques and products.
• Assist the sanitation department by conducting visual inspections and verifying CIP system effectiveness.
• Coach and guide the sanitation supervisor and technicians.
• Maintain and review product specifications and implement product release, hold, and disposition systems.
• Collect, review, and file food safety and quality records according to document-control standards.
• Prepare customer Certificates of Analysis.
• Collaborate with production to assess incoming raw materials and goods and work with purchasing to establish vendor quality standards.
• Support implementation and maintenance of the SQF program and promptly address quality and food safety nonconformances.
• Manage plant quality-control personnel to ensure compliance with UNC policies and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and monitor training programs for Operations, Sanitation, and Quality staff.
• Interview, hire, and train employees; appraise employee performance; plan, assign, and direct work; address complaints and resolve issues.
• Supervise laboratory activities and staff, including training and scheduling.
• Perform laboratory analyses and maintain calibration of testing equipment.
• Purchase laboratory supplies and oversee lab-related data entry and record keeping.
• Coach and guide laboratory technicians to support continuous improvement.
• Prepare and manage customer and regulatory sampling requirements.
• Ensure timely and accurate documentation of testing and quality-control results.

Benefits

• Group health insurance may be included in the total rewards package.
• Dental insurance may be included in the total rewards package.
• Retirement plan.
• Wellness program.
• Paid time away from work.
• Paid holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager