Position Overview
The Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager ensures that all food products meet or exceed quality, safety, and regulatory standards. This individual will oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of food safety programs, quality systems, and regulatory compliance to ensure customer satisfaction and protect the brands reputation. The FSQA Manager will lead cross-functional initiatives and training to promote a culture of food safety and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Food Safety Program Management:
- Develop, implement, and maintain food safety plans, including HACCP, Preventive Controls (PCQI), and Environmental Monitoring Programs (EMP).
- Conduct regular food safety risk assessments and hazard analyses.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements such as FDA, USDA, FSMA, and GFSI schemes (e.g., SQF, BRC).
- Quality Assurance Oversight:
- Oversee quality systems to ensure adherence to cGMPs, SSOPs, and customer specifications.
- Conduct root cause analyses and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for quality or food safety issues.
- Manage the internal and external auditing process, including supplier and certification audits.
- Regulatory Compliance:
- Ensure compliance with applicable food safety and quality regulations.
- Review and approve product labels, packaging, and documentation for compliance with FDA and USDA regulations.
- Leadership and Training:
- Lead, mentor, and train FSQA team members and cross-functional staff on food safety and quality standards.
- Foster a food safety culture through consistent communication and training programs.
- Data Analysis and Reporting:
- Analyze quality data, generate reports, and provide recommendations for process improvements.
- Monitor KPIs and trends in food safety and quality performance.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Partner with R&D, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to ensure seamless integration of food safety and quality in new product development and production processes.
- Collaborate with suppliers to maintain approved supplier programs and ingredient specifications.
Qualifications
- Education:
- Bachelors degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or a related field.
Experience:
- 5+ years of experience in food safety, quality assurance, or related roles in the food industry.
- Proven leadership experience in managing food safety and quality teams.
Technical Skills:
- Strong knowledge of GFSI standards, cGMPs, SSOPs, and regulatory requirements (FDA, USDA).
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and quality management systems (QMS).
- Familiarity with data analysis tools and methodologies.