Quality Assurance Supervisor

QUALITY ASSURANCE SUPERVISOR

Position Summary

The Quality Assurance Supervisor leads the Quality Department and supports the implementation and administration of Sterling Foods' Quality and Food Safety programs, including SQF, HACCP/Food Safety, GMPs, Allergen Control, Environmental Management, Traceability, and regulatory and customer requirements.

This role serves as the facility's SQF Practitioner and HACCP Coordinator, providing leadership and technical guidance across the plant to ensure the safe and wholesome manufacture of food products and compliance with established quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage daily Quality Department activities, personnel, resources, and performance.
• Establish and drive quality and food safety goals aligned with company objectives.
• Serve as SQF Practitioner and oversee validation and verification of prerequisite programs.
• Maintain the HACCP Plan, prerequisite programs, quality documentation, and required records.
• Oversee the Pest Control Program, including weekly pest management meetings.
• Lead quality meetings, Seal Team Meetings, problem-solving efforts, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure product specifications, GMPs, food safety standards, and customer requirements are followed.
• Identify and communicate issues that could impact product quality, food safety, production efficiency, or cost.
• Oversee employee training, performance evaluations, development, and day-to-day direction of Quality staff.
• Manage departmental staffing, scheduling, supplies, equipment, and budget requirements.
• Ensure required reports and KPIs are completed accurately and on time.
• Monitor calibration of testing equipment and maintain required certifications.
• Maintain ingredient and packaging documentation, including specifications, MSDS, nutritional data, and Letters of Guarantee.
• Serve as company liaison with USDA-FSIS and maintain required documentation, authorizations, specifications, and testing data.
• Monitor product and material traceability and conduct regular mock recalls and system tests.
• Partner with Human Resources on staffing, interviewing, training, disciplinary actions, and job descriptions.
• Maintain confidentiality of company, customer, employee, product, and business information.

Supervisory Responsibility

• QA Inspectors

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field preferred.
• Management experience in Quality and/or a USDA establishment.
• HACCP Certification.
• SQF Practitioner.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective leadership and team management skills.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and project management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and provide quality and food safety leadership throughout the plant.

Physical & Work Environment

This position requires the ability to stand, walk, sit, reach, climb stairs, bend, kneel, crouch, and perform other physical activities associated with a food manufacturing environment. The employee may occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds and may be exposed to weather conditions and moderate noise levels.

About Sterling Foods

Founded in 1971, Sterling Foods is a San Antonio-based specialty bakery manufacturer serving foodservice, custom manufacturing, retail, military, and school dining markets. Sterling Foods is a leading supplier of shelf-stable baked goods and gourmet-quality products, with a continued focus on innovation, technology, and great-tasting food.

Sterling Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.