SQA Manager (External Manufacturing & Warehouse / Logistics), North America

Oatly AB•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

Oatly, the original oatmilk company founded in Sweden, is expanding rapidly and seeking talented individuals to join their team. With core values centered on sustainability, health, and transparency, Oatly aims to promote healthier lifestyles and transform the food system by reducing reliance on cow's milk. The company is looking for a SQA Manager (External Manufacturing & Warehouse/Logistics) North America to ensure food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance for its external manufacturing partners, warehouses, and logistics providers in North America. This role reports to the Global Director, SQA, and is crucial for managing supplier quality and food safety, ensuring that products from Co-Manufacturers meet Oatly's stringent requirements, GFSI standards, and FDA/FSMA regulations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field
HACCP certification and FSMA PCQI certification required
5+ years of experience in food safety and quality roles within the food industry
Experience with supplier quality management and auditing
Strong knowledge of food safety systems, regulations, and GFSI standards (BRCGS, SQF, FSSC 22000)
Experience working with ERP systems (e.g., D365) and product lifecycle management tools
Strong analytical, structured, and risk-based problem-solving skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

Nice To Haves

Feel connected to our mission of encouraging health, sustainability, and transparency
Self-starter who doesn’t need direct supervision to motivate you for success
Ready to make your mark in a smaller, growing brand, leveraging your experience to deliver amazing results and build an outstanding company
Entrepreneurial spirit in that you’re comfortable with ambiguity and are energized by the process of building something lasting from the ground up
Enjoy sharing your quirkiness and talents with your coworkers

Responsibilities

Approve and manage external manufacturing, warehouse, and logistics partners from a quality and food safety perspective
Ensure supplier compliance with Oatly standards, GFSI schemes, and regulatory requirements
Approve new production lines (commissioning/validation) at new and existing external manufacturers
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 the defined global strategy
Support product traceability and planned traceability tests for all Co-Manufacturers (including hybrid partners)
Provide backup support to the Release Manager to secure the release of externally produced products
Lead food safety and quality investigations related to external manufacturing, warehouse, and logistics partners
Coordinate root cause analysis and corrective actions with 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 process and product risk input
Authority to block, release products produced by external Co-manufacturers
Lead approval decisions and recommend supplier disqualification based on quality or food safety risks, in consultation with the Global Director SQA
Escalate and stop material use and product release when food safety risk is identified