FSQA Manager

0dfc4f13-da37-4df7-b01d-1587078b3488•Vernon, CA

21h•$110,000 - $130,000•Onsite

About The Position

Archer Meat Snacks is seeking an FSQA Manager to lead food safety and quality initiatives at its Vernon, California facility. The role oversees food safety systems, product quality, regulatory compliance, and audit readiness in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment, while partnering with Operations, R&D, and other cross-functional teams. The manager serves as the facility’s SQF Practitioner and HACCP Coordinator and helps strengthen the site’s food safety culture so products meet regulatory, customer, and certification standards. The position leads food safety and quality programs in a USDA/FDA-regulated environment; manages quality standards and verification across incoming materials, production, and finished products; and leads preparation for audits and regulatory inspections. It also guides and develops FSQA team members, provides facility-wide food safety training and leadership, analyzes performance trends, and drives root-cause investigations and continuous improvement. The role partners with R&D, Operations, Sales, Marketing, and external stakeholders on product development, process changes, commercialization, customer requirements, and quality concerns. This is an onsite position in Vernon, CA. Compensation is $110,000–$130,000 plus a bonus opportunity. Benefits include generous PTO and 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or a related field.
At least 8 years of progressive food safety and quality experience, including leadership responsibility within USDA/FDA-regulated food or beverage facilities.
Hands-on expertise in HACCP, FDA FSMA, SQF/BRC certification standards, allergen management, and third-party audit programs.
Current HACCP and/or FSMA Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification.
Demonstrated experience leading audits, supporting regulatory inspections, and resolving food safety and quality issues with internal and external stakeholders.
Strong knowledge of root-cause analysis, corrective actions, quality systems, and continuous improvement practices.
Excellent communication, organization, and people-leadership skills, with the ability to influence teams at all levels of a manufacturing operation.
Hands-on, solutions-oriented approach and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, and evolving environment.

Nice To Haves

Meat processing experience.

Responsibilities

Lead development, implementation, and ongoing management of food safety and quality programs in a USDA/FDA-regulated manufacturing environment.
Serve as facility SQF Practitioner and HACCP Coordinator, maintaining HACCP plans, preventive controls, prerequisite programs, and required documentation.
Ensure compliance with USDA, FDA FSMA, customer, and third-party certification requirements, including allergen management and sanitation controls.
Assess food safety risks, identify program gaps, and implement improvements to protect product integrity and regulatory readiness.
Oversee quality standards and verification activities for incoming materials, production processes, and finished products.
Maintain quality procedures, specifications, monitoring records, and corrective action systems.
Investigate quality issues, nonconformances, and customer complaints; lead root-cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions.
Partner with Operations on product holds, deviations, and process improvements while maintaining food safety and quality controls.
Lead preparation for and execution of SQF, customer, regulatory, and other third-party audits, including documentation, training, and follow-up actions.
Serve as a key contact for regulatory agencies and external auditors, communicating professionally and ensuring timely issue resolution.
Monitor audit findings, corrective actions, and verification activities to support sustainable compliance and continuous improvement.
Maintain accurate, inspection-ready records and strengthen site-wide accountability for food safety and quality requirements.
Guide, coach, and develop FSQA team members and establish clear performance expectations.
Build facility-wide food safety awareness through employee training, practical communication, and visible floor-level leadership.
Partner with plant leadership to reinforce good manufacturing practices, sanitation standards, and consistent execution of quality procedures.
Promote ownership, accountability, collaboration, and proactive identification and resolution of risks.
Analyze audit results, nonconformances, quality trends, and other FSQA performance indicators to identify risks and improvement opportunities.
Develop reporting and action plans to support product quality, compliance, and operational decision-making.
Lead root-cause investigations and cross-functional improvement initiatives to reduce repeat issues and strengthen process consistency.
Recommend improvements to FSQA systems, training, documentation, and workflows.
Partner with R&D, Operations, Sales, Marketing, and third-party partners on product quality, customer requirements, and business initiatives.
Provide FSQA guidance for product development, process changes, commercialization activities, and operational improvements.
Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to resolve quality concerns and maintain confidence in Archer’s products.
Balance business needs with food safety and regulatory standards as a technical partner.