QA Supervisor

Position Summary:

The QA Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Quality Assurance (QA) lab and ensuring compliance with all food safety and quality programs. This role supports the QA/Technical Services Manager in maintaining effective food safety and HACCP programs, generates and audits daily quality documentation, and provides technical support to both plant and corporate quality teams. The position also assists with customer and internal audits, investigates customer complaints to identify root causes, and leads corrective action efforts. Additional responsibilities include trending, document control, and food safety training.

Working Relationships:

This position reports to the QA/Technical Services Manager and supervises lab technicians, microbiology technicians, and may oversee sanitation personnel. The QA Supervisor works closely with plant staff, technical teams, procurement, planning, corporate quality, logistics, external vendors, customers, auditors, and regulatory agencies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Oversee and ensure compliance with all regulatory and company-defined food safety, sanitation, and quality standards. Assist in maintaining effective and compliant food safety and HACCP programs.
2. Review daily quality paperwork, audit lab and plant procedures, and train employees to maintain high-quality and safety standards.
3. Analyze data to identify trends, manage non-conforming products, and drive corrective and preventive actions to minimize losses.
4. Develop and implement SOPs and SSOPs; ensure proper document control and personnel training.
5. Provide leadership and guidance to lab and sanitation staff through coaching, goal setting, and performance management.
6. Serve as a technical expert in quality systems, applied statistics, regulatory processes, sanitation, and complaint reduction.
7. Ensure compliance with cGMPs, food safety programs, and prerequisite standards.
8. Support internal, customer, and third-party audits by presenting programs, documentation, and facility tours.
9. Maintain strong professional relationships across departments and with external partners to support continuous improvement.
10. Manage laboratory supply inventory, equipment calibration, and SDS documentation.

Additional Functions:

• Prepare formulas, batch sheets, and documentation for production runs; ensure accuracy and compliance with specifications.
• Generate transfer documentation for positive release of finished goods.
• Oversee microbiology program development and manage special projects as needed.

Qualifications:

Knowledge of:

• Food processing, manufacturing, and packaging principles
• Food sensory and quality evaluation practices
• Regulatory and customer food safety standards (FDA, USDA, SQF, etc.)
• Intermediate math and statistics
• Quality auditing and laboratory testing procedures
• Federal, state, and local food safety regulations

Ability to:

• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions
• Develop and train staff in sensory and quality techniques
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Accurately document and interpret standard operating procedures
• Communicate effectively and build collaborative working relationships
• Use Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, and quality databases

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Food Science, Chemistry, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 1–3 years of quality systems management experience, preferably in a food manufacturing environment
• HACCP and SQF Practitioner certifications preferred
• PCQI certification required or ability to obtain
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies a plus
• Food Defense training preferred