FSQA Manager

Our client is a well-established food manufacturer that is seeking a hands-on Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager to lead the food safety and quality function at its manufacturing facility in the St. Louis area.

This individual will oversee plant-level food safety systems, regulatory compliance, quality programs, audits, corrective actions, and team development. The ideal candidate is a visible, floor-focused leader who can make timely decisions, strengthen processes, and partner effectively with operations in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the facility's Food Safety and Quality Assurance programs, ensuring compliance with FDA, USDA, HACCP, GMP, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Serve as the facility's designated SQF Practitioner and maintain the effectiveness of the SQF food safety and quality system.
• Develop, implement, validate, and continuously improve prerequisite programs, HACCP plans, policies, and quality procedures.
• Lead internal audits and support customer, regulatory, and third-party audits, including preparation of required documentation.
• Conduct food safety risk assessments and implement corrective and preventive actions to address identified risks.
• Oversee investigations related to nonconforming products, consumer complaints, process deviations, and quality concerns.
• Partner with plant leadership and production teams to resolve quality issues and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage, coach, and develop the Food Safety and Quality team, ensuring employees are properly trained and resourced.
• Deliver and maintain annual training programs covering SQF, GMPs, sanitation, food safety, and quality requirements.
• Collaborate with R&D, suppliers, and customers to support product development, product specifications, audits, and quality-related initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Processing, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience within a food or beverage manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, SQF, FDA, USDA, and food safety regulatory requirements.
• Experience preparing for and participating in customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.
• Effective communication and leadership skills with the ability to work across all levels of an organization.
• Ability to hold teams accountable while fostering collaboration, engagement, and professional development.
• Lean Manufacturing or Lean Six Sigma training is preferred.