FSQA Manager

The FSQA Manager is responsible for leading all Food Safety and Quality Assurance activities within the facility. This role ensures compliance with FDA, USDA, GFSI/SQF, NSF, and company quality standards while driving continuous improvement initiatives across food safety, quality, sanitation, and regulatory compliance programs. The FSQA Manager provides leadership to the QA team and oversees key food safety systems, including HACCP, PCQI, SQF, environmental monitoring, and regulatory audits.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all plant Food Safety and Quality Assurance programs to ensure compliance with regulatory and company standards.
• Manage and develop QA personnel through training, coaching, performance management, and hiring.
• Oversee HACCP, SQF, PCQI, GMP, NSF, and food safety compliance programs.
• Review microbiological testing, investigate non-conformances, monitor quality trends, and implement corrective actions.
• Manage product release processes, Certificates of Analysis (COAs), inventory holds, and product classifications.
• Lead customer complaint investigations, root cause analyses, and CAPA activities.
• Conduct internal audits, GMP inspections, sanitation reviews, and environmental monitoring oversight.
• Serve as the primary contact during FDA, USDA, customer, and third-party food safety audits.
• Lead Food Safety and Food Quality teams and provide regular performance reporting to leadership.
• Manage pest control, sanitation verification, laboratory calibration programs, and quality documentation systems.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on food safety, compliance, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field preferred; advanced degree is a plus.
• Strong experience in Food Safety and Quality Assurance leadership within food, dairy, beverage, or dietary supplement manufacturing.
• Extensive knowledge of FDA, USDA, HACCP, PCQI, GMP, GFSI/SQF, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience leading audits, regulatory inspections, customer complaint investigations, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills.
• Knowledge of quality systems, SPC, environmental monitoring, and food safety training programs.

Preferred Certifications

• PCQI Certification
• SQF Practitioner Certification
• Certified Industry Supervisor (PMO)
• State Certified Sampler License (or ability to obtain)