Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager

This position is hands-on with the QA team helping to mentor and coach the QA Technicians and provide guidance on process improvements. The position will have all QA Technicians as direct reports.

Client Details

My client is a U.S.-based food company that manufactures and distributes food products as part of a broader international organization. It serves customers across multiple channels, with an emphasis on consistent supply, quality standards, and long‑term producer relationships.

Description

• Ensure food safety compliance with local, city, state, and federal requirements.
• Assist with managing the facility's food safety/HACCP plans, including conducting raw material and finished product hazard analyses and supplier risk assessments to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Play an active part in the follow-up, review, and execution of the Quality manual and pre-requisite programs.
• Create and manage SQF systems as an SQF practitioner.
• Assist with documentation, preparation, and participation of internal and external regulatory and certification audits (e.g., SQF, Halal, Organic and others), including the execution of corrective actions that may follow.
• Conduct a management review of the food safety & SQF system.
• Perform mock recalls and traces and assist Crisis Management Team during product recall execution and response.
• Ensure a high level of internal and external customer service. Investigate, and correct, customer issues and complaints relating to quality.
• Develop and analyze statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and to establish quality and reliability expectancy of finished products.
• Create, document, and implement inspection criteria and procedures.
• Design, develop and implement food safety training programs. Interpret quality control philosophy to key personnel within company.
• Manage label creation and approval process.
• Maintain an active role on internal continuous improvement teams.
• Provide, and oversee, inspection activity for product throughout production cycle.
• Ensure documentation and design controls are appropriate for organization.
• Administer document control and configuration management system.
• Oversee established calibration and testing program.
• Be a true partner within the organization and be a reliable source for FSQA and Regulatory compliance.

Profile

• Associates degree in Food Science, Microbiology or related field; Bachelor's degree preferred
• Minimum of 5 years in a food safety, quality management role working with protein products (raw meat) in a processing environment
• Strong experience successfully managing a team over 2 shifts (5 - 7 days/week)
• Knowledge of product, processing, packaging and specification required
• Good understanding of SQF and HACCP system.
• Strong knowledge of quality assurance principles, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) meat processing regulations and Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and Food Safety Enhancement Program (FSEP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards
• Assertiveness and ability to work with different personalities to meet a common goal
• Internal auditing experience a plus
• Organized, self-starter with proven ability to manage and effectively follow up on multiple projects and assignments and meet all deadlines
• Excellent observational skills with attention to detail and accuracy
• Able to collect, maintain, evaluate data, summarize and write reports, and recommend continuous improvement
• Strong oral and written communication skills; able to develop and maintain strong working relationships with production and office staff and external FDA/USDA Inspectors
• Proficient in computer software, such as inventory / traceability software, manufacturing software and Microsoft Office
• Ability to work with government regulatory bodies
• Strong teaching, coaching, mentoring skills, willingness to train others
• Team player with high integrity, values and a positive attitude
• Able to effectively handle the high stress, time and work demands that come with responsibility as QA Manager

Job Offer

• Competitive salary ranging from $80,000 to $100,000 USD annually.
• Comprehensive standard benefits package.
• Opportunities for career growth and professional development.
• Collaborative and supportive work environment in Swedesboro.

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.