Quality Assurance Manager
About The Position
The Krusteaz Company is looking for a Quality Assurance Manager to join our Manhattan, Kansas team! The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for overseeing all plant-level quality efforts to ensure that products and processes meet or exceed company, customer, and regulatory standards for product quality and food safety. This role involves both leadership and hands-on involvement across the plant’s quality processes, including the quality lab and production floor. The manager will work closely with cross-functional teams, including Corporate QA, to ensure alignment with quality initiatives and goals. Additionally, this position plays a key role in building customer relationships and leading the resolution of quality-related issues.
Requirements
- B.S. in Food Science, related technical science degree, or equivalent experience.
- Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in QA or quality-related function.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience leading quality programs in food industry preferred.
- Prior experience developing and managing critical food safety systems.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Quality Assurance team, including hiring, training, performance management, and development.
- Oversee all foundational Food Safety and Quality programs.
- Develop and execute a site-specific strategic quality plan to meet business objectives.
- Facilitating change and leading improvement efforts.
- Collaborate with other plants’ quality teams and corporate QA to establish overall quality goals and standards.
- Align Quality department objectives with the overall plant’s goals and work closely with other departments such as Operations, Purchasing, Logistics, and R&D.
- Identify and implement quality improvement initiatives using data-driven approach within a collaborative environment.
- Ensure that food safety, security, and regulatory compliance are met through programs such as HACCP, GMP, microbial surveillance, and product protection.
- Manage plant-level quality programs, including pest control, sanitation, waste management, and chemical safety practices.
- Serve as a technical resource for internal teams, customers, and suppliers regarding quality and food safety.
- Oversee and manage plant inspections and audits (e.g., FDA, BRC, Kosher), implementing action plans as needed.
- Lead the plant’s response to quality complaints, including investigation and resolution.
- Proactively identify and mitigate food safety risks.
- Represent the Quality department in interactions with customers, sales teams, auditors, and regulatory agencies.
- Develops and monitors SOP’s for quality systems.
- Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities may include conducting quarterly check-ins and annual reviews, interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Benefits
- competitive pay
- comprehensive benefits
- top tier health insurance plan with lower-than-average employee cost share
- generous PTO
- 401(k) match
- comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance (starting at $60-$95/month for employee-only coverage on the PPO Plan or starting at $30- $45/month for employee-only coverage on the HDHP)
- 4 weeks of paid time off
- 10 paid holidays
- 1 paid personal holiday
- company provided life insurance and disability insurance
- flexible spending account
- healthcare saving account
- voluntary accident insurance
- voluntary critical illness insurance
- tuition reimbursement
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
