Senior QA Manager

The Farmer's Dog•New York, NY

24d•$170,000 - $180,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior QA Manager, FSQR is responsible for upholding customer trust by ensuring high quality standards across The Farmer’s Dog’s products. The role develops and implements processes and procedures supporting internal and external Quality Management Systems and provides subject-matter expertise, technical guidance, and cross-functional communication about quality risks, opportunities, and strategies. The position works closely with manufacturing partners, product development teams, and suppliers to establish and refine processes that ensure ingredients and finished products meet specifications and are handled properly from sourcing through delivery. It reports directly to the Director of Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory (FSQR). The role owns food safety and quality program execution at third-party manufacturing partners, leads investigations and corrective actions, oversees microbiological programs, assesses risks, and supports regulatory compliance. It also evaluates manufacturing partners, suppliers, and fulfillment centers; uses data to identify trends and guide improvements; and coordinates cross-functional teams and subject-matter experts. The position is based in or requires relocation to the New York City metropolitan area, with an in-office expectation of four to five days per week and travel of 30–50%.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in Food Safety & Quality within the human food industry and manufacturing environments.
Deep knowledge of FDA, USDA, and GFSI compliance standards.
At least 3 years of direct experience managing food safety programs at third-party manufacturing sites.
Strong background in food product development, production processes, and core food safety principles.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Microbiology, Food Safety, Quality Management, or a related field.
Expert understanding of FDA and USDA regulations and documentation requirements.
PCQI and HACCP certifications, including Seafood HACCP.
Experience conducting food safety audits and applying Lean Manufacturing tools for root cause analysis.
Excellent communication skills, including presenting, report writing, and training across organizational levels.
Willingness and ability to travel 30–50%.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access) and Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms).
Skill in using statistical and analytical tools to support quality and safety initiatives.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment; curiosity and a proactive, self-starting approach.
Strong problem-solving, prioritization, ownership, and attention-to-detail skills; ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Ability to absorb and distill complex information into simple terms to support decision-making.
Must be based in or willing to relocate to the New York City metropolitan area.
Love of dogs.

Nice To Haves

ASQ certification.

Responsibilities

Own execution of Food Safety and Quality programs at third-party manufacturing partners.
Lead root cause analysis and implement Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) in response to quality or food safety issues.
Provide practical food safety expertise and guidance to support manufacturing site operations.
Oversee implementation and ongoing optimization of the company’s microbiological program, including risk assessments and compliance monitoring.
Support investigations and resolution of escalated complaints involving regulatory agencies such as USDA, FDA, and AAFCO.
Make complex, risk-based food safety decisions that ensure compliance with regulatory and internal standards while enabling reliable product delivery.
Conduct food safety, quality, and regulatory risk assessments and audits for new manufacturing partners, suppliers, and fulfillment centers.
Analyze data to identify trends and issues, and use insights to guide food safety and quality improvements and cross-functional education.
Monitor and evaluate contract manufacturers for alignment with company food safety and quality standards.
Identify and solve complex food safety and quality challenges proactively.
Use communication and influencing skills to implement effective problem resolution.
Lead cross-functional teams to drive food safety initiatives, CAPA execution, and process improvements at contract manufacturers.
Direct day-to-day food safety and quality activities within assigned areas of responsibility.
Coordinate with subject-matter experts to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance and high food safety standards.
Manage multiple concurrent initiatives and projects.
Make and defend difficult decisions with confidence and sound judgment.
Collaborate with co-manufacturers, supplier QA teams, product development partners, and third-party service providers.
Provide technical data and decision-making support on food safety and product quality issues.
Partner with the Sr. Manager, Quality Engineer, and cross-functional teams to apply early management tools to new product launches.