The Quality Assurance (QA) Manager is responsible for leading the company's food safety and quality assurance programs to ensure all products consistently meet customer, regulatory, and company requirements. The role oversees the implementation and continuous improvement of the Food Safety Management System (FSMS), Quality Management System (QMS), and compliance with applicable food safety standards. The QA Manager works closely with Production, Maintenance, Procurement, Research & Development, and Supply Chain to promote a strong food safety culture and continuous quality improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, implement, and maintain the company's Food Safety Management System (FSMS) and Quality Management System (QMS).
- Ensure compliance with applicable food safety regulations and standards, including GMP, HACCP, SSOPs, sanitation programs, allergen management, and traceability requirements.
- Maintain compliance with customer, regulatory, and third-party audit requirements (e.g., BRCGS, FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, SQF, FDA, or local regulatory agencies as applicable).
- Lead the site's food safety culture initiatives and quality improvement programs.
- Review and approve quality procedures, specifications, work instructions, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Oversee incoming raw material inspections, in-process quality monitoring, environmental monitoring, and finished product testing.
- Ensure laboratory testing programs are properly implemented and results are reviewed promptly.
- Monitor Critical Control Points (CCPs), Operational Prerequisite Programs (OPRPs), and preventive controls.
- Verify calibration and maintenance of laboratory and quality inspection equipment.
- Ensure product release procedures are followed before shipment.
- Plan and conduct internal audits and GMP inspections.
- Coordinate customer audits, certification audits, and regulatory inspections.
- Manage audit findings and ensure timely completion of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Maintain quality records and documentation in accordance with regulatory and company requirements.
- Investigate customer complaints, product quality issues, deviations, and non-conformances.
- Lead root cause analysis using tools such as 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagram, Pareto Analysis, and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
- Implement corrective and preventive actions and verify their effectiveness.
- Analyze quality trends and develop improvement initiatives to reduce waste, improve yields, and minimize defects.
- Lead, coach, and develop the QA team, laboratory personnel, and food safety staff.
- Conduct employee training on food safety, GMP, hygiene, sanitation, HACCP, and quality procedures.
- Establish departmental goals and monitor team performance.
- Promote collaboration across Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Procurement, and Warehouse departments.
- Support supplier qualification and performance monitoring.
- Review supplier quality documentation and certificates.
- Manage customer complaints and coordinate investigations and responses.
- Participate in new product development by reviewing quality and food safety requirements.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5–8 years of experience in quality assurance or food safety within the food manufacturing industry.
- At least 3 years of experience in a leadership or managerial role.
- Experience with ready-to-eat, dairy, meat, bakery, beverages, frozen foods, or snack manufacturing is preferred.
