Quality Manager

Wonder•Swedesboro, NJ

53d•$88,500 - $102,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Manager is responsible for overseeing site-level Quality Control, Food Safety, Sanitation, and operational compliance within a high-volume food manufacturing and distribution environment. This role ensures product integrity, sanitation readiness, traceability, regulatory compliance, and consistent execution of established food safety and quality standards across production, warehouse, and distribution operations. The Quality Manager partners closely with Production, Warehouse, Distribution, Transportation, Site Leadership, and Enterprise FSQA to execute food safety, sanitation, quality, and compliance programs, lead Quality Control and Sanitation teams, monitor compliance, identify operational risks, and drive corrective actions. The Quality Manager has the authority to place product on hold, stop shipment, delay operational release, or escalate operational concerns when food safety, sanitation, traceability, or product quality standards are not met. The role reports operationally to Site Leadership, with dotted-line accountability to Enterprise FSQA for food safety standards, regulatory compliance, audit readiness, escalation protocols, and compliance governance. Enterprise FSQA retains ownership of regulatory interpretation, supplier quality, enterprise food safety standards, audit governance, recall governance, and commercialization standards. This role operates within a culinary manufacturing and warehouse facility where associates work around production equipment, refrigerated storage areas, and fast-paced operational workflows. Strict adherence to food safety, sanitation, and safety protocols is required.

Requirements

3+ years of progressive leadership experience in Quality Control, Food Safety, Sanitation, food manufacturing, or related operations
Confident leading teams of 15+ employees and executing complex shifts in fast-paced environments
Experience in food manufacturing, commissary kitchens, culinary production, or distribution environments, preferably within FDA- or USDA-regulated settings
Strong knowledge of food safety systems and standards, including HACCP, GMPs, sanitation, allergen controls, traceability, and regulatory compliance
HACCP, PCQI, or other relevant food safety certifications preferred
Experience with Lean, 5S, or continuous improvement methodologies preferred
Ability to support internal and external audits and regulatory inspections
Experience with quality management, food safety, WMS, or operational systems preferred
Demonstrated ability to investigate quality issues, conduct root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions
Experience managing operational metrics and compliance programs
Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills
Ability to analyze operational data and translate findings into actionable improvements
Strong communication, organizational, decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration skills
Bilingual preferred
18 years old and legally authorized to work in the US
Able to lift, pull, and push 50 pounds of weight by oneself
Able to stand for extended periods
Able move between production, warehouse, and quality inspection areas
Ability to bend, reach, and safely work around production and sanitation equipment
Ability to read and comprehend safety policies and operational manuals in English; ability to communicate effectively with team members and follow verbal instructions to ensure a safe and productive work environment
Ability to work flexible schedules, including mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays
Ability to work in varying temperature zones including cold environments for extended periods

Responsibilities

Oversee product quality standards across production, storage, warehouse, and distribution processes
Ensure quality inspections are completed to verify product specifications, labeling accuracy, packaging integrity, shelf-life compliance, storage requirements, and outbound readiness
Monitor product quality throughout the production process and address deviations in real time
Investigate product deviations, quality incidents, temperature deviations, product holds, and compliance gaps
Partner with Operations and Enterprise FSQA to implement corrective and preventive actions
Track quality metrics including defects, product holds, audit results, temperature deviations, waste, and operational compliance trends
Partner with Operations teams to improve product consistency, reduce waste, and strengthen operational discipline
Ensure quality checks, inspections, and required documentation are completed accurately and consistently across all shifts
Ensure product holds, quarantines, releases, and dispositions are executed accurately and according to established standards
Lead daily sanitation and food safety execution across production, warehouse, and facility operations
Ensure compliance with sanitation schedules, Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) procedures, cleaning requirements, and pre-operational inspections
Verify sanitation readiness and operational cleanliness prior to production startup
Ensure adherence to applicable FDA, USDA, HACCP, GMP, sanitation, allergen, hygiene, and company food safety requirements
Monitor sanitation chemical usage, procedures, documentation, and safety compliance
Conduct regular floor walks to identify food safety, sanitation, GMP, and operational compliance concerns
Partner with Operations leadership to ensure food safety and sanitation standards remain embedded in daily execution
Ensure operational teams maintain compliance with hygiene, food handling, sanitation, and GMP expectations
Immediately escalate significant food safety or sanitation concerns to Site Leadership and Enterprise FSQA
Maintain documentation and records required for regulatory compliance, traceability, food safety, sanitation, and quality programs
Support internal and external audits, regulatory inspections, and customer audits
Maintain site readiness for announced and unannounced audits and inspections
Ensure operational execution aligns with established food safety, sanitation, traceability, and quality standards
Escalate USDA, FDA, DOH, food safety deviations, sanitation failures, traceability gaps, temperature abuse incidents, product holds, and significant compliance concerns according to established protocols
Partner with Site Leadership and Enterprise FSQA to resolve compliance gaps and implement corrective and preventive measures
Track corrective actions through completion and verify appropriate follow-through
Maintain clear communication between Operations, Enterprise FSQA, Quality Control, Sanitation, and other operational partners
Ensure proper product identification, labeling, lot tracking, storage, FIFO/FEFO rotation, and traceability throughout production and distribution
Partner with Inventory Control, Warehouse, and Production teams to maintain accurate product movement and traceability
Ensure product holds and quarantines are clearly identified, documented, and controlled
Monitor operational processes for potential traceability or product integrity gaps
Support traceability exercises and recall-readiness activities in accordance with established Enterprise FSQA standards
Escalate and address traceability gaps immediately when identified
Monitor quality, sanitation, food safety, and compliance performance across assigned operations
Track key metrics including product defects, product holds, sanitation completion, audit findings, temperature deviations, waste, and compliance observations
Analyze operational data and floor observations to identify trends and recurring issues
Conduct root-cause analysis and develop corrective action plans for quality and compliance gaps
Partner with operational leaders to implement sustainable process improvements
Monitor corrective actions to ensure improvements are maintained
Provide regular updates to Site Leadership regarding quality performance, compliance risks, and improvement priorities
Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on product quality, food safety, sanitation, waste reduction, and operational consistency
Lead and develop Quality Control and Sanitation teams
Set clear performance expectations and drive accountability across assigned functions
Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and development to supervisors, leads, and associates
Train team members on quality standards, sanitation procedures, GMPs, traceability, food safety, and operational compliance requirements
Maintain a strong floor presence across production, warehouse, sanitation, and distribution operations
Ensure appropriate staffing and coverage to support quality and sanitation requirements across operational shifts
Reinforce compliance with company standards, policies, and procedures
Partner with HR on coaching, progressive discipline, performance management, and associate development
Identify development and cross-training opportunities that strengthen team capability
Foster a positive and inclusive culture centered on accountability, food safety, quality, teamwork, and continuous improvement
Partner with Production, Warehouse, Distribution, Transportation, Site Leadership, and Enterprise FSQA teams to maintain operational alignment
Coordinate quality and sanitation readiness with production schedules and operational priorities
Participate in daily operational reviews, production planning meetings, and staffing discussions
Communicate operational risks, quality concerns, sanitation gaps, and corrective actions clearly and proactively
Partner with Operations to resolve issues that may impact food safety, product quality, production execution, or outbound service
Support new processes and operational changes by identifying potential quality, sanitation, and food safety risks
Support site initiatives that improve product quality, food safety, sanitation, traceability, and operational efficiency
Maintain a visible presence across operations, observing workflows, engaging teams, identifying risks and barriers, and stepping in to protect food safety, quality, and execution
Reinforce food safety, quality, sanitation, GMP, and operational standards while holding teams accountable for compliance, documentation, inspections, quality controls, and timely completion of corrective actions
Coach and develop supervisors, leads, and associates through feedback, training, and growth opportunities while building a culture that understands and embraces operational standards
Champion food safety, sanitation, traceability, and product integrity by fostering shared accountability, encouraging prompt escalation of concerns, and taking appropriate action when standards are not met
Clearly communicate quality, sanitation, operational, and compliance expectations across shifts, proactively escalate risks, and partner with Operations, HR, Enterprise FSQA, and cross-functional teams to ensure consistent execution
Own site-level quality, sanitation, food safety, and compliance performance by using data and direct observation to identify and proactively address risks, drive continuous improvement, and support operational initiatives while maintaining uncompromising food safety and product quality standards