Quality Control Manager

KENT WORLDWIDE•Columbus, MS

12d

About The Position

The Quality Control Manager leads site QC personnel and oversees daily quality activities across the laboratory and production operations. The role ensures inspection, testing, sampling, documentation, reporting, and product disposition are conducted accurately and in accordance with product specifications, approved procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements. It coordinates QC work with Operations, Maintenance, Warehouse, Sanitation, and other functions to support product quality, food safety, and process requirements. The manager leads investigations into nonconformances, process deviations, customer complaints, and quality incidents; ensures root-cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions are completed and evaluated; monitors and reports quality and food safety performance; and serves as a site Quality lead during audits, inspections, traceability exercises, and mock recalls. The position also supports the site's Food Safety and Quality Management Systems, maintains QC procedures and controlled documentation, and helps ensure testing methods, laboratory equipment, electronic systems, and production-line quality checks are effective. It contributes Quality input to risk assessments, continuous improvement, cost reduction, process optimization, commercialization, and budget management. Travel is expected at 0–10%, including occasional trips to other company facilities, suppliers, customers, or training events.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Engineering, or a related scientific or technical discipline; equivalent relevant Quality experience may be considered.
At least 5 years of Quality Assurance or Quality Control experience in a manufacturing environment; food or beverage manufacturing is preferred.
Demonstrated experience with laboratory testing, sampling, inspection, and manufacturing process controls.
Experience working within a GFSI-recognized Food Safety Management System.
Working knowledge of GMPs, Preventive Controls, sanitation, traceability, nonconforming product controls, CAPA, and root-cause analysis.
Experience supporting or leading FDA regulatory, certification, customer, and internal audits.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret, trend, and communicate Quality data.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate across Operations, Quality, R&D, and Regulatory.
Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, coach, and hold employees accountable.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic Quality/ERP systems.

Nice To Haves

At least 2 years of supervisory or leadership experience.
Advanced degree in a scientific, technical, or Quality-related discipline.
PCQI, BRCGS, or similar Food Safety/Quality certification.
Experience leading or supporting GFSI certification.
Experience with ERP/eQMS systems such as Microsoft D365/Advanced Quality Management.
Experience using statistical analysis, trend reporting, and data visualization tools to drive continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day leadership and direction to site QC personnel, including work assignments, scheduling, training, performance management, and development.
Ensure QC personnel are properly trained and qualified for assigned testing, inspection, sampling, documentation, and product disposition activities.
Coordinate QC activities with Operations, Maintenance, Warehouse, Sanitation, and other functions.
Manage daily QC laboratory and production quality activities, ensuring timely and accurate inspection, testing, documentation, and reporting.
Review and approve batch records and other quality documentation, and ensure products meet specifications before release.
Manage identification, segregation, evaluation, and disposition of nonconforming materials and products, escalating significant quality or food safety concerns.
Lead or support investigations of nonconformances, process deviations, customer complaints, and quality incidents using root-cause analysis.
Ensure corrective and preventive actions are assigned, completed, documented, and evaluated for effectiveness.
Monitor and trend Quality and Food Safety performance indicators, and prepare routine reports identifying trends, risks, and recommended actions.
Serve as a site Quality lead for internal and external audits, regulatory inspections, customer audits, certification audits, traceability exercises, and mock recalls.
Support implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the site's Food Safety and Quality Management Systems.
Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and Sanitation to evaluate and improve process controls, sanitation effectiveness, GMP compliance, and preventive controls.
Develop, review, and maintain QC testing, sampling, inspection, and monitoring procedures.
Ensure laboratory equipment and testing methods are maintained, calibrated or verified as applicable, and suitable for intended use.
Establish and maintain production-line quality checks and audit protocols.
Conduct or coordinate GMP, process, and Quality System audits and ensure deficiencies are addressed.
Investigate customer complaints and communicate findings, root cause, corrective actions, and trends to Quality leadership.
Support controlled Quality and Food Safety documentation and ensure timely, accurate entry and maintenance of Quality information in electronic Quality Management and ERP systems.
Support implementation and effective use of electronic Quality systems, including D365/Advanced Quality and SafetyChain, as applicable.
Participate in risk assessments related to changes to products, processes, equipment, raw materials, packaging, suppliers, specifications, or manufacturing procedures.
Provide Quality input to continuous improvement, cost reduction, process optimization, and new product or process commercialization.
Provide input into the QC department budget and identify opportunities to improve Quality performance while managing laboratory and inspection costs effectively.
Escalate significant Quality, Food Safety, Regulatory, or customer risks to site and Quality leadership in a timely manner.
Perform other Quality-related duties as assigned.