QA Manager

Saige Partners•Cabot, AR

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Assurance Manager reports to the Quality Assurance Director and is responsible for leading the food safety and quality systems for a high-volume food manufacturing operation. This role provides leadership and support for business growth and continuous improvement while ensuring all products consistently meet customer specifications and established food safety and quality standards. The QA Manager provides overall leadership of the Quality Assurance team within a 24/7 manufacturing environment and plays a critical role in maintaining high standards for product quality and food safety. This position is responsible for developing, maintaining, evaluating, and implementing Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), Safe Quality Food (SQF), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), quality assurance, quality control, testing, and food safety programs. Strong technical knowledge of dairy, cheese, cultured products, or a comparable regulated food manufacturing environment is highly preferred. The successful candidate will bring strong leadership, problem-solving, communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a scientific field such as food science, microbiology, chemistry, biology, or a related discipline.
5+ years of experience in food manufacturing, dairy processing, or a similarly regulated food production environment.
5+ years of management and/or senior supervisory experience.
Strong knowledge of microbiology, food science, HACCP, SQF, GMP, and food safety systems.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Windows, Excel, and Word.
Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong analytical and deductive reasoning skills with exceptional attention to detail.
Ability to interpret regulatory requirements and effectively translate them into facility policies, procedures, and practices.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment while managing multiple priorities.
Flexibility to work varied hours as needed in support of a 24/7 manufacturing operation.
Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and managing Quality Assurance metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Proven leadership skills with the ability to build trust, motivate teams, establish accountability, and drive results.
Strong commitment to customer satisfaction, product quality, process reliability, and food safety excellence.
Working knowledge of sanitation operations and current and emerging sanitation practices.

Nice To Haves

Strong technical knowledge of dairy, cheese, cultured products, or a comparable regulated food manufacturing environment is highly preferred.
HACCP, PQCI, SQF, or comparable food safety certifications preferred.
Experience with continuous improvement initiatives and/or project management is preferred.

Responsibilities

Directly manage the QA Supervisor and Plant Sanitarian, with indirect oversight of laboratory technicians.
Oversee laboratory testing of raw materials, finished products, and plant samples to ensure testing is completed accurately and within established timelines.
Manage the plant laboratory, including staffing, scheduling, testing procedures, supplies, equipment, facilities, and applicable certification requirements.
Promote a safe working environment by following all required safety procedures and ensuring team members complete required safety training and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Ensure regulatory compliance across all Food Safety and Quality programs, including Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Food Defense, and Pest Control programs.
Develop and deliver employee training focused on hygienic product handling, sanitation, HACCP, SQF, GMP, and other applicable food safety requirements.
Lead customer, regulatory, and certification audits, including SQF, FDA, USDA, state inspections, Kosher, Halal, and other applicable programs.
Develop and oversee corrective action plans and responses resulting from audits, inspections, and identified compliance issues.
Serve as the site's SQF Practitioner, with appropriate backup support from QA leadership.
Lead and promote a strong Food Safety Culture throughout the manufacturing facility.
Manage product status programs, including Hold, Release, Rework, and Reject processes, with authority and accountability for final product disposition decisions.
Review production documentation to ensure compliance with regulatory and quality requirements and provide technical guidance regarding documentation inquiries.
Develop, maintain, and implement QA policies, procedures, work instructions, and other quality documentation.
Maintain and update the facility's recall procedures and documentation on an annual basis.
Plan and execute mock recalls and product traceability exercises.
Manage consumer and customer complaint programs, including root-cause investigations, corrective and preventive actions, trend analysis, and timely communication.
Maintain the Pathogen Environmental Monitoring Program, including investigation and corrective/preventive actions for out-of-specification results.
Manage in-process and finished-product testing programs, ensuring accurate recordkeeping, trending, and reporting of results.
Identify and communicate quality trends and opportunities for improvement to plant and senior leadership.
Partner with operations and cross-functional teams to improve Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), manufacturing performance, product quality, and operational metrics.
Schedule, lead, and report on regular facility inspections.
Provide technical expertise and leadership in the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives.
Collaborate with operations, engineering, maintenance, sanitation, and other departments to improve food safety, quality, efficiency, and overall plant performance.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as needed to support business and operational objectives.