Manager, FSQA: Co-Manufacturing Operations

Open Farm•Toronto, ON

1d•CA$90,000 - CA$110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

At Open Farm, we are seeking a highly motivated Manager of Food Safety and Quality Assurance to join our team and play an integral role in strengthening our food safety culture and protecting the integrity of the Open Farm brand. Reporting to the VP of Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory, this role is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining robust food safety and quality systems across Open Farm’s supply chain and co manufacturing network. The Manager will ensure that all products consistently meet our premium quality standards, regulatory requirements, and certification commitments, while supporting compliance across North America and applicable export markets. This role will partner closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Product Development, and external manufacturing partners to drive alignment, continuous improvement, and consistent execution. The ideal candidate is detail oriented, proactive, and deeply committed to food safety and quality excellence. This role is critical to upholding the trust our customers place in Open Farm by ensuring every product reflects our commitment to transparency, safety, and responsible sourcing, helping deliver safe, high quality nutrition for pets.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Animal Nutrition, or a related field
5+ years of progressive experience in food safety and quality assurance, preferably in pet food, human food, or a regulated consumer goods environment
Direct experience managing co-manufacturing or contract manufacturing relationships
Hands-on experience with HACCP plan development, internal auditing, and third-party certification programs (SQF, BRCGS, or equivalent)
Strong working knowledge of FSMA (Preventive Controls for Animal Food), AAFCO guidelines, CFIA regulations, and FDA requirements as they apply to pet food
Experience with ERP systems and quality management software
Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to internal stakeholders and external partners
Collaborative and solutions-oriented with the ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority
Comfortable with ambiguity and able to build structure in a scaling, entrepreneurial environment
Willingness to travel to co-manufacturer and supplier facilities as needed (estimated 10–20%)

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with dry kibble, wet/canned, freeze-dried, and raw pet food manufacturing processes is a strong asset
PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification
SQF Practitioner or Lead Auditor certification
Experience in a brand-owned, co-manufactured supply chain model
Passion for pet health, sustainability, and responsible sourcing — aligned with Open Farm's mission

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary FSQA contact for co-manufacturing partners, building strong relationships and driving continuous improvement
Conduct on-site facility visits and audits; evaluate compliance with Open Farm's quality expectations and applicable regulations
Review and approve co-manufacturer food safety plans, sanitation programs, and quality documentation
Maintain and enhance Open Farm's food safety programs, including HACCP plans, GMPs, allergen management, sanitation standards, and recall/traceability protocols
Lead readiness for and management of third-party audits (SQF, BRCGS, or equivalent) across co-manufacturing partners
Monitor and respond to food safety incidents, conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs)
Maintain current knowledge of FSMA regulations and ensure ongoing compliance across all applicable facilities and suppliers
Establish and enforce quality standards for raw materials, packaging, and finished goods in partnership with co-manufacturers and ingredient suppliers
Conduct supplier qualification audits, review COAs, and manage ongoing supplier performance scorecards
Review and approve product specifications, formulations, and changes in collaboration with R&D and Procurement
Manage incoming material inspection programs and finished goods release protocols
Support the management of consumer complaints, trending data, and escalations; identify systemic issues and drive resolution
Maintain documentation and records required for regulatory submissions and market authorizations
Partner with Co-Manufacturing, Procurement, R&D, and Customer Experience teams to embed quality thinking into product development and supply chain decisions
Develop and deliver FSQA training programs for internal teams and co-manufacturing partners
Build and track KPIs related to quality, food safety, and supplier performance; report regularly to senior leadership
Lead or contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that reduce defects, waste, and risk across the supply chain