The Senior Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for the leadership, implementation, and continuous improvement of quality, food safety, regulatory, environmental, sanitation, and pest management programs. This role ensures compliance with SQF certification requirements, USDA AMS and FSIS regulations (as applicable), FDA requirements, military specifications, and customer standards for products manufactured for Military, National Restaurant, and K-12 programs.
The position serves as the site authority for food safety and quality and ensures products are manufactured safely, legally, and in accordance with approved specifications, contractual requirements, and regulatory obligations.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and strategic direction for site Quality Assurance programs and personnel while partnering with the Quality Assurance Manager to ensure effective day-to-day execution of food safety and quality systems
- Maintain compliance with SQF Code requirements, including HACCP/Preventive Controls, GMPs, traceability, allergen control, and recall readiness
- Serve as primary site liaison for USDA AMS and FSIS inspection personnel, regulatory agencies, certification bodies, and customer auditors
- Oversee sanitation programs, environmental monitoring, hygienic practices, and pest management to ensure effective control of food safety risks
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements including USDA, FDA, and applicable military or customer specifications
- Ensure timely offering of production lots for USDA AMS inspection and maintain processes that support high first-pass acceptance by verifying products meet contractual specifications and quality requirements prior to submission
- Manage nonconformances, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and continuous improvement initiatives
- Oversee raw material acceptance, in-process controls, and finished product verification activities
- Ensure labeling and packaging at the site level comply with approved specifications and regulatory requirements
- Maintain accurate documentation, recordkeeping, and document control in accordance with regulatory and certification standards
- Promote a strong food safety and quality culture through training, coaching, and leadership
- Serve as the primary quality representative for customers and support customer audits, inquiries, complaints, scorecards, and corrective action responses
- Oversee investigation and resolution of customer complaints, foreign material incidents, and product quality concerns, ensuring effective root cause analysis and corrective actions
- Maintains independent authority to stop production or prevent shipment when food safety, regulatory, or quality concerns are identified
- Ensure validation and verification activities are performed and maintained for food safety controls, sanitation programs, environmental monitoring, and preventive controls
- Lead risk assessments and evaluate the impact of process, ingredient, packaging, and equipment changes on food safety and regulatory compliance
- Lead management review activities and communicate key food safety and quality performance metrics to site and corporate leadership
SQF & Regulatory Responsibilities
- Maintain the site Food Safety Management System and ensure ongoing compliance with SQF certification requirements
- Ensure readiness for internal audits, certification audits, regulatory inspections, and customer assessments
- Verify effectiveness of sanitation, environmental monitoring, allergen control, and pest prevention programs
- Ensure compliance with USDA AMS contractual requirements and FSIS regulations when applicable
Scope & Interface
- Site leadership role with direct responsibility for all Quality Assurance personnel and programs at the 1075 Arion Parkway facility
- Reports to Corporate Quality leadership and collaborates closely with Operations, Maintenance, Procurement, and Product Development
- Serves as the primary on-site authority for food safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and inspection activities
- Coordinates with Corporate Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure alignment with company-wide standards and initiatives
Skills & Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor?s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or related technical field is required
- Minimum 7 10 years of progressive experience in food quality, food safety, or regulatory compliance
- Supervisory or management experience is required
- Experience in USDA-regulated or inspected food manufacturing is strongly preferred
- Experience supporting military, National Restaurant, or institutional customers is preferred
- Experience with root cause analysis methodologies, statistical process control, trend analysis, and continuous improvement tools
Technical Knowledge
- Strong knowledge of SQF Code requirements and food safety management systems
- Working knowledge of USDA AMS and FSIS regulations and inspection processes
- Understanding of FDA and FSMA requirements
- Experience with HACCP/Preventive Controls, allergen control, sanitation, and environmental monitoring
- Knowledge of pest management programs and preventive practices
- Familiarity with labeling compliance and product specifications at the site level
Leadership & Professional Skills
- Strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving abilities
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced production environment
- Excellent communication skills for interaction with plant personnel, regulators, and customers
- High attention to detail and commitment to food safety and quality excellence
- Ability to drive accountability and continuous improvement
- Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality/documentation systems
This role requires a leader who can balance category strategy, supplier management, and team development while reinforcing strong governance and sourcing discipline across the procurement function