Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory Supervisor

Hans Kissle • Haverhill, MA

83d

About The Position

The FSQR Supervisor ensures that all food manufacturing operations meet applicable regulatory, certification, and customer requirements while supporting and continuously improving the Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Management System. This role provides direct leadership to FSQA team members, oversees sanitation and food safety programs, and ensures compliance with FDA, USDA, FSMA, HACCP, GFSI (e.g., SQF), and customer standards. The Supervisor assists in representing the QA/FSQA during audits and inspections, and drives a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field preferred.
• 4–6 years in food manufacturing, regulatory compliance, or quality assurance, including at least 1–2 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Strong leadership skills: proven ability to manage and develop a team.
• Effective communicator with strong documentation and organizational skills.
• Risk-based decision making, with the ability to communicate decisions and rationale to adequately support operations and customer needs.
• Ability to analyze data, troubleshoot problems, and implement effective solutions.
• Experience with regulatory and third-party audits, food labeling, and EMP.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and quality regulations (HACCP, GMP, SQF, USDA, FDA).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) and compliance/quality management systems.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• Certifications (Preferred): HACCP, PCQI, SQF Practitioner, Internal Auditing.

Responsibilities

• Always represent and model Quality Assurance and Food Safety principles.
• Supervise and develop FSQA team members, ensuring adherence to SQF, HACCP, FSMA, SOPs, and company standards.
• Conduct regular employee performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and support career development.
• Resolve cross-functional operational issues in partnership with Production, R&D, and Supply Chain.
• Regularly present on the plant floor to maintain real-time knowledge of production, sanitation, and QC operations.
• Host or assist with USDA inspectors and customer auditors as needed.
• Sign off on records within 7 days or prior to product shipment, represent QA/FSQA during audits and inspections, and drive a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor and interpret changes in food safety regulations and industry standards (FDA, USDA, FSMA, HACCP, SQF, etc.); communicate updates to cross-functional teams and direct reports.
• Maintain and manage regulatory documentation including labels, certifications (Kosher, Organic, Non-GMO), licenses, and supplier records.
• Review and approve ingredients, packaging, and labels for compliance with food labeling laws, allergen declarations, and nutrition facts panel requirements.
• Prepare and submit regulatory filings; respond to inquiries from regulatory agencies and customers.
• Lead verification and validation activities for Preventive Controls, CCPs, and prerequisite programs; identify risks and ensure timely corrective actions.
• Conduct and lead internal audits to ensure facility-wide compliance with GFSI and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee sanitation activities to ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory standards, and food safety requirements; provide verification and documentation to support audit readiness.
• Direct and support root cause analysis and corrective action activities for non-conformances, customer complaints, and supplier violations.
• Obtain a full understanding of and train team members to conduct product checks (weights, labels, packaging, visual, and taste) and safety checks (temperature, allergen controls, metal detector, and x-ray).
• Collaborate with R&D on new product development and risk assessment.
• Ensure thorough and accurate recording and communication of all tests, measurements, inspections, and results.
• Maintain accurate paperwork for product, sanitation, and food safety checks.
• Utilize Redzone and other compliance/quality management systems to monitor facility compliance and troubleshoot issues.
• Develop and conduct training for employees on food safety, regulatory compliance, sanitation procedures, and GMPs.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in FSQA systems, waste reduction, and other plant-wide initiatives.
• Support crisis management and recall readiness, including traceability exercises and documentation reviews.
• Perform other supervisory duties as required in support of business and operational needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees