Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager

Taylor Farms

2d•$100,000 - $110,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager leads and develops the site’s FSQA Supervisors, who oversee the FSQA and Sanitation teams. Reporting to the Director of Operations, the manager owns the Food Safety Plan and ensures compliance with Taylor Farms corporate, SQF Certification, regulatory, and customer requirements. As a member of the site management team, this role partners with department managers to advance food safety and quality through training, internal audits, third-party inspections, and corrective and preventive action programs. The role leads the FSQA team and supports the hiring, training, development, scheduling, and performance management of FSQA Supervisors and, through them, the FSQA and Sanitation teams. Work is split between the plant and office, with at least 40% of work time in the manufacturing plant. The production environment is air-conditioned at approximately 67°F, with periodic work in colder refrigerated areas, including coolers at approximately 37°F and receiving. Required PPE includes a hairnet, beard net as applicable, gloves, safety shoes, bump cap, and smock. The role involves exposure to cleaning and sanitation chemicals, food allergens, odors, noise, dust, wet and slippery floors, and cold areas. This is a salaried exempt, full-time position, generally Monday through Friday, with weekends and holidays as needed. Work hours are 8 or more hours per shift.

Requirements

At least 5 years of food manufacturing experience, including at least 3 years in a food safety or quality leadership role.
PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual), HACCP, and SQF Practitioner certifications required, with hands-on experience applying them.
Working knowledge of GMPs.
Management experience, including leading supervisors and multi-shift teams.
Working knowledge of FSMA and FDA regulations.
Strong communication, data analysis, and Microsoft Office skills.
Ability to work safely in a fast-paced production environment while wearing required PPE for full shifts.
Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 50 lbs.
Ability to bend, twist, stoop, squat, and pivot.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during shifts of 8 or more hours.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in food science, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Follow and enforce Safety, Allergen Control, Food Safety and Sanitation, Food Defense, and SQF policies and procedures across departments.
Own and maintain the Food Safety Plan, ensuring it is compliant and aligned with operational execution.
Verify HACCP and preventive controls, including monitoring records, validation activities, and annual Food Safety Plan reanalysis.
Lead the development and delivery of SOP and FSQA training for all departments.
Lead the FSQA team and collaborate with department managers.
Track food safety and quality KPIs and use data to drive compliance and continuous improvement.
Develop food safety protocols and monitoring tasks, using digital tools and technology solutions where possible.
Conduct internal food safety audits and manage third-party inspections and audits, including FDA, County, City, Organic, SQF, and customer audits.
Serve as the site's SQF Practitioner.
Oversee the sanitation program through the FSQA Supervisors and verify sanitation effectiveness, including maintaining the Master Cleaning Schedule and CIP program.
Manage the Environmental Monitoring Program, including pathogen swabbing, trend analysis, and corrective actions for positive results.
Guide equipment and other purchasing decisions to support food safety and quality.
Manage customer compliance requirements and communications as needed.
Establish and manage CAPA programs, including root cause analysis and effectiveness verification.
Maintain traceability and recall readiness, conduct mock recalls, and support product holds and withdrawals.
Lead the hiring, training, and development of FSQA Supervisors.
Organize and oversee FSQA Supervisor work and schedules and, through them, the FSQA and Sanitation teams.
Conduct timely, constructive performance evaluations for direct reports.
Address performance and conduct issues, including discipline and termination when necessary, in accordance with company policy.
Perform other duties as assigned.