Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager

Albert Uster Imports•Gaithersburg, MD

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Albert Uster Imports (AUI) is seeking a Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager to oversee the company's total Food Safety & Quality Management system. This role is crucial for achieving Good Distribution Practice (GDP) in the warehouse and distribution sector. The FSQA Manager will lead the development and implementation of FSQA processes, customer complaint investigations, and resolution services across all product lines. This position requires monthly communication with top management and cross-departmental collaboration with Logistics, Purchasing, Innovation, Culinary, Customer Experience, and Marketing teams to ensure food safety and quality control processes meet internal and external standards. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of quality assurance, the ability to link statistics to business decisions, and innovative problem-solving skills. This role reports directly to the Senior Director, FSQA & Compliance. AUI operates on a hybrid work schedule, requiring in-person attendance Monday through Wednesday, with the option to telework on Thursdays and Fridays.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Safety and Quality Management or equivalent.
3 to 5 years of work experience managing plant food safety & quality assurance programs (such as GDP) and/or working with quality assurance programs in an international wholesale distribution environment.
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) certified.
Knowledge of FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) & FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Programs).
Excellent project management, customer management and prioritization skills.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to travel 10% of the time.

Nice To Haves

Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQ) certified.
Excellent analytical abilities with a proven capacity to identify process improvement opportunities.
Creative and results-oriented problem solver, capable of evaluating challenges and implementing effective solutions.
Demonstrated experience leading, coaching, and supervising team members in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Ensure proper monitoring and documentation are maintained across all seven distribution centers and the repacking department in alignment with the Food Safety Program.
Oversee process management and product quality/food safety compliance.
Manage and document all red flag testing and quality control processes, including product sample testing, sample check programs, and laboratory testing.
Coordinate and document shipping tests for new products.
Conduct and maintain records for monthly self-inspections covering food defense programs, cleaning and sanitation, FIFO compliance, temperature control, etc.
Support and prepare for FDA, USDA, and customer (2nd Party) audits and inspections.
Ensure proper product receiving controls are followed and documented.
Maintain accurate records and corrective actions related to food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance initiatives.
Manage the re-certification of seven distribution centers according to each food safety standard level (GDP) in conjunction with the warehouse and logistics managers.
Act as the GDP Practitioner responsible for verifying and validating the GDP standards and warehouse employee training of all food safety and product quality aspects.
Ensure that proper monitoring practices and documentation are maintained with respect to food safety, particularly for pest control, temperature control (in & outbound, storage), cleaning & sanitation control, shelf-life management and product receiving & delivery.
Own and update Food Safety Plan as required post incidents, with compliance changes, etc.
Manage/maintain the product information/specifications of all AUI products (new and existing products) and communicate to all necessary departments to maintain accuracy of all information channels.
Manage all customer complaints and communications related to food safety & product quality with all suppliers and customer service/customers to solve product issues.
Manage AUI’s supplier quality assurance program/documents/processes of new and existing suppliers and review/update the information on an annual basis.
Own and maintain FSVP’s (Foreign Supplier Verification Programs) including current suppliers and onboarding of new suppliers.