Scope of Position

The Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager is responsible for leading and maintaining all food safety, quality assurance, sanitation, and regulatory compliance programs within the manufacturing facility. This role ensures that raw materials, in-process products, and finished goods consistently meet internal specifications, customer expectations, and all applicable regulatory requirements.

The FSQA Manager serves as the site leader for food safety and quality systems, driving continuous improvement initiatives while fostering a strong culture of food safety, quality, and operational excellence. This is a highly hands-on leadership position requiring strong technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally across plant operations.

Responsibilities

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead the development, implementation, verification, and continuous improvement of the facility’s Food Safety and Quality Management Systems.
• Manage and maintain HACCP/HARPC plans, Preventive Controls, GMPs, SSOPs, allergen controls, environmental monitoring, and other prerequisite programs.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, SQF, and all applicable food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as the SQF Practitioner and lead all SQF certification activities, audits, annual reviews, and corrective action programs.
• Validate preventive controls and prerequisite programs while ensuring accurate documentation and record review.
• Oversee internal audits, regulatory inspections, customer audits, and third-party audits.

Quality Assurance & Product Quality

• Establish quality standards and specifications for raw materials, packaging, in-process materials, and finished products.
• Monitor manufacturing processes to ensure consistent product quality and compliance with specifications.
• Lead investigations related to product quality issues, non-conformances, consumer complaints, and root cause analysis.
• Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to drive continuous improvement.
• Review quality metrics and trend data to identify opportunities for process optimization and risk reduction.
• Ensure laboratory testing procedures, methods, and equipment are maintained and functioning effectively.

Sanitation & Plant Operations

• Direct sanitation programs and cleaning operations to maintain hygienic plant conditions.
• Partner with production and sanitation teams to ensure compliance with GMPs and sanitation standards.
• Support operational excellence initiatives by identifying quality and food safety risks within manufacturing processes.
• Participate in plant improvement projects, startup activities, and process validations.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop FSQA and sanitation team members to build a high-performing quality culture.
• Provide technical guidance and food safety training to plant personnel across all departments.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and R&D teams to support business objectives.
• Promote accountability and ownership of food safety and quality throughout the organization.

Qualifications



Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Microbiology, or related scientific field required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• HACCP Certification required.
• SQF Practitioner Certification required.
• PCQI Certification preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive Food Safety and Quality Assurance leadership experience within a food manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of FDA, USDA, FSMA, SQF, GMP, HACCP, and sanitation requirements.
• Experience supporting edible oils, fats, or related food manufacturing processes preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing audits, regulatory inspections, and food safety systems.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership, communication, and team development skills.
• Ability to analyze complex issues and implement effective solutions.
• Excellent organizational, documentation, and report-writing abilities.
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on approach with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.