SQA Manager (Direct Material & Release), North America

Oatly AB • Philadelphia, PA

7d

About The Position

Oatly is seeking a SQA Manager (Direct Material & Release) North America to join their team. This role is responsible for ensuring food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance of direct materials used in Oatly products in North America. The position manages supplier quality and food safety for direct materials and serves as release authority, ensuring products produced at Co-Manufacturers are risk-assessed, approved, released, or blocked in accordance with Oatly requirements, GFSI standards (BRCGS/SQF/ISO 22000), and FDA/FSMA Regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• 5+ years in food safety and quality roles within the food industry
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a food-related discipline such as Food Science, Microbiology, Biological Science, Chemistry, or Food Safety Management
• HACCP certification and FSMA PCQI certification required
• Supplier quality management and audit experience
• Experience with ERP systems and material release/block processes
• Cross-functional experience within manufacturing or supply chain environments
• Strong knowledge of food safety, quality systems, and regulations
• Analytical, structured, and risk-based decision-making
• Clear communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Familiarity with ERP systems (preferably D365)
• Knowledge of product lifecycle management, document and deviation management systems
• Fluent in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams)
• Computer skills consistent with job functions

Nice To Haves

• GFSI auditor training (BRCGS, SQF, or FSSC 22000) is preferred
• Continuous improvement or project management training is a plus

Responsibilities

• Approve and manage direct material suppliers from a quality and food safety perspective in line with applicable regulatory and Oatly requirements
• Ensure supplier compliance with Oatly standards, GFSI schemes, and regulatory requirements
• Conduct supplier risk assessments, including HACCP and food safety plan reviews
• Own supplier audits, deviation management, and CAPA follow-up
• Drive supplier performance through KPIs and supplier development plans, in line with global strategy
• Act as SQA release authority for externally produced products
• Review and approve analytical results and certificates of analysis (CoAs)
• Decide on block, release, or rejection of materials in ERP systems
• Ensure accurate track & trace and material status in warehouses
• Support scrapping, rework, and disposition activities
• Lead food safety and quality investigations related to direct materials
• Coordinate root cause analysis and corrective actions with direct material suppliers handled by Oatly
• Support deviations, complaints, and regulatory investigations
• Provide risk-based recommendations during supply disruptions
• Work closely with Q&RA team, Procurement, Operations, Logistics, Innovation, and Site QA teams
• Support product development and specification changes with material risk input
• Partner with co-manufacturers and warehouses on quality and release topics
• Authority to block, release products produced by external co-manufacturers
• Authorized to approve and recommend the disqualification of suppliers based on quality or food safety risks, in consultation with the Global Director SQA
• Escalate and halt material use and product release when a food safety risk is identified

Benefits

• flexible vacation
• great benefits
• pet insurance
• paid volunteer days off
• free six packs of oatmilk

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager