Position Description:

The FSQA Manager oversees daily food safety and quality assurance operations for the facility, ensuring compliance with USDA regulations, customer requirements, and internal standards.  This role implements and maintains food safety programs — including HACCP, SSOPs, GMPs, and environmental monitoring — while supporting continuous improvement in product quality and operational performance.  The FSQA Manager manages audits, maintains daily communication with USDA personnel, and partners with internal teams, suppliers, and customers to resolve operational issues and maintain product integrity. This role reports to the FSQA Director and supports site- and department-level strategic initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as the site’s operational Food Safety leader, ensuring compliance with regulatory, customer, and internal requirements.
• Implement and maintain HACCP plans and prerequisite programs, ensuring proper execution, verification, and documentation.
• Support the development and maintenance of quality systems ensure compliance with corporate policies, GFSI standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.
• Monitor adherence to raw materials, in-process, and finished product specifications; oversee required testing and verification activities.
• Review and verify daily records and reports to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Collaborate with Operations to identify, investigate, and resolve product or process-related quality concerns.
• Act as the primary contact with USDA inspectors during daily interactions.
• Track and report on Quality System performance using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs); identify and drive corrective actions as needed.
• Lead operational audits (internal, second- and third-party), ensuring timely closure of corrective actions.
• Manage product hold and release processes, including evaluation and documentation of product disposition.
• Participate in product sensory evaluation panels to monitor product quality and consistency.
• Monitor and support adherence to SOPs, MOPs, and GMPs across production and QA operations.
• Conduct routine facility walkthroughs and inspections, including off-site warehouses.
• Train, mentor, and develop QA staff to maintain operational performance and compliance.
• Support cross-functional training on food safety and quality systems.
• Support operational aspects of department spending in line with budgetary expectations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support company and department goals.

Supervisory/Management Responsibilities:

• Assign, oversee, and monitor daily tasks of FSQA team members.
• Coach, and develop team members through training, feedback, recognition, and corrective action when necessary.
• Support staffing efforts through hiring, onboarding, and training of new employees.
• Participate in the company’s performance management processes, including goal setting and evaluations under the guidance of the FSQA Director.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive FSQA/food processing experience, including team leadership.
• Strong knowledge of USDA/FDA regulations and GFSI requirements.
• HACCP and PCQI certifications required.
• Proficiency with computer systems and software applications (e.g., Microsoft Office, QMS platforms)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to present complex information clearly.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound, independent decisions under pressure.

Competencies:

• We take pride in all we do
• It’s a privilege to serve each other, our customers, and the community
• We embrace our legacy and build for the future
• We make decisions and commit
• We are a team that plays to win
• Results Orientation: Sets and achieves operational goals and ensures team compliance with programs and standards.
• Diagnostic Information Gathering: Collects and analyzes information to resolve day-to-day FSQA issues.
• Communication: Conveys information clearly and manages conversations with cross-function peers, inspection personnel, and external partners effectively.
• Detail Orientation: Ensures accuracy and thoroughness; organizes time and resources effectively.
• Action Orientation: Proactively drives tasks to completion and ensures timely resolution of operational issues.

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