Sr. Compliance Manager

Makers Pride•Kentwood, MI

12d

About The Position

The Senior Quality Compliance Manager is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving and sustaining compliance across multiple USDA- and FDA-regulated facilities. The role ensures designated sites consistently meet regulatory, customer, and corporate requirements through oversight of audit readiness, validation programs, compliance responses, and continuous improvement. The manager supports and collaborates with local QAMs, provides training, and serves as a key resource during high-profile visits and regulatory inspections. Work is primarily performed in an office setting, with infrequent exposure to production environments that may include noise, dust, moving machinery, forklifts, and temperature fluctuations. Travel is up to 30%.

Requirements

Five to seven years of related work experience, including experience managing and leading Quality and food safety/sanitation staff in a related food manufacturing environment.
Strong understanding of SQF/BRC and their implementation.
Demonstrated proficiency in advanced quality statistics, measurement systems analysis, and continuous improvement.
Experience with quality systems and knowledge of prerequisite programs.
Knowledge of customer expectation management, including audit preparation and program management.
Strong written and verbal communication, analytical ability, leadership, and ability to work effectively with all levels of the organization.
Ability to work independently with minimal direction; strong self-starter.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
HACCP certification (USDA-compliant), unless the candidate has a PCQI certificate.
PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification, unless the candidate has a HACCP certificate.
Bachelor’s degree in a business- or science-related field is preferred, but equivalent years of experience will be considered.
Must be detail-oriented and have strong self-confidence, leadership skills, and oral and written communication skills.
Must be able to uphold Makers Pride’s mission, vision, and values.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge or experience with SAP, Master Data, Trace Gain, and Alchemy; SAP and Trace Gain are noted as a plus.
SQF Practitioner or BRC Internal Auditor certification.
Dual-site FDA and USDA experience.
American Society for Quality certification, such as CQE or CQM status.
Postgraduate degree.
Bachelor’s degree in a business- or science-related field.

Responsibilities

Ensure designated sites remain audit-ready and support QAMs with internal, customer, third-party, and regulatory inspections, including USDA-FSIS and FDA inspections.
Act as site liaison during regulatory or high-level customer visits in the QAM’s absence, and support Regional QAMs or Directors as needed.
Ensure timely and complete execution of validation programs, including allergen, oven, SOP/SSOP validations, and annual Food Safety Plan reviews.
Ensure site management follows the internal audit program; monitor and track performance and escalate violations or noncompliance.
Monitor allergen controls and ensure sites maintain validated procedures, updated records, and compliant practices.
Support development, review, and updating of SOPs, SSOPs, HACCP, and Food Safety Plans during annual validation and improvement cycles.
Lead or support site audits and non-conformance investigations, and drive CAPA completion and effectiveness verification.
Ensure internal, customer, and regulatory compliance responses are completed on time; assist with drafting, reviewing, and submitting accurate, aligned responses.
Manage the SQF program, including gap assessments and compliance tracking and trending.
Track training compliance and escalate gaps in critical job-specific compliance, such as CCP certification training needs.
Issue and communicate policy, procedure, and regulatory updates, and ensure sites implement them through training and documentation.
Partner with Procurement and Corporate QA on supplier compliance, ingredient risk evaluations, and supplier non-conformance resolution.
Foster and support food safety culture through ongoing compliance training and coaching for QA teams and plant personnel.
Understand environmental program management and non-conformance tracking.
Manage customer complaints across multiple sites.
Conduct and manage meetings to show progress.
Lead site management-based training, such as CAPA training for managers.
Perform other duties as assigned by the RQAM, FSQA Director, or QA VP.