Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager

Job Description

Job Title: Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager Department: Quality Assurance FLSA Status: Salary - Exempt Reports to: Chief Operating Officer Status: Full Time, 100% Onsite POSITION OBJECTIVE: The Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager (FSQA) owns the Quality functions, procedures & processes for the entire company. This position manages the policy, strategy and testing methodology to meet regulatory compliance for company products. This person sets the quality standards and ensures that production is continually maintained at such standards. This person is the company’s Food Safety and Quality expert. COMPETENCIES: Knowledge of Food Safety Regulations Expertise in local and international food safety standards (HACCP, FDA, USDA, Codex, etc) Thorough understanding of food labeling requirements, traceability & recall procedures Familiarity with auditing and certification standards like ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, BRC, SQF, etc. Risk Management & Hazard Analysis Ability to conduct hazard analysis & risk assessments to identify potential food safety risks Expertise in implementing preventative controls & corrective actions Knowledge of foodborne pathogens & how to manage their risks Quality Assurance Experience developing & implementing quality programs to ensure products meet customer expectations Strong knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) methods and analysis tools Competency in sensory analysis, product testing & quality evaluation Auditing and Inspection Conducting internal audits and leading 3rd party audits for compliance with food safety standards Knowledge of audit processes & ensuring continuous improvement of food safety practices Ability to manage non-conformance reports & implement corrective actions Strong leadership skills to manage cross functional teams & coordinate with Production, Warehouse, Maintenance, R&D, etc. Ability to train staff on food safety and quality practices, GMPs and SOPs Conducting workshops or refresher courses for employees on food safety standards and regulations Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis Ability to identify, troubleshoot, & resolve quality and safety issues Proficiency in root cause analysis methods such as 5Y, Fishbone diagrams, etc. Implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) as necessary Communications and Collaboration Strong communication skills to liaise with internal teams, suppliers, regulatory bodies, etc. Ability to prepare reports and presentations on food safety and quality issues Collaboration with other departments to integrate food safety and quality systems into company culture, production, etc. Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma or other continuous improvement methodologies Ability to drive initiatives that enhance food safety systems, reduce waste & improve product quality Innovating & adopting new technologies or practices to improve food safety and quality management Regulatory Compliance and Legal Knowledge Stay updated with changes in food safety regulations & industry best practices Ensuring all food products meet legal requirements for imports, export & market distribution Experience with documentation and maintaining compliance records for regulatory inspections Crisis Management Preparedness for handling food safety crises, such as contamination outbreaks, product recalls, etc. Ability to manage communications with stakeholders, regulators, etc. Developing & testing recall plans & emergency response protocols Customer Focus & Satisfaction Ability to assess customer feedback & ensure quality standards align with customers’ expectations An understanding of market trends & consumer demands related to food safety and quality Ability to manage customer complaints related to food safety and quality and ensure customer satisfaction REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Microbiology or a related field. Food Safety Certification, HACCP, ISO 22000, SQF, BRC, PCQI, or comparable 5+ years of experience in food safety, quality assurance or a related field, with at least 2+ years in a supervisory or managerial role Demonstrated experience in implementing & maintaining food safety management systems, quality control programs, and compliance with industry standards. Experience with food production/packaging environment, understanding of processing systems & ability to identify risks in production Successfully led internal or 3rd party audits. Excellent leadership skills Seniority level: Mid-Senior level Employment type: Full-time Job function: Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, and Management Industries: Food and Beverage Manufacturing #J-18808-Ljbffr