Senior Quality & Food Safety Manager
Department: Quality & Food Safety
Employment Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive Position: Yes
Position Summary
The Senior Quality & Food Safety Manager will report to the Plant Manager and lead quality control and food safety programs designed to ensure consistent production in accordance with established quality, food safety, and regulatory standards.
The position will oversee the Quality function and associated activities, while also providing support and oversight for Sanitation. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of food laws and regulations, advanced risk assessment capabilities, and experience leading root cause analysis, corrective actions, and complaint trend analysis.
This position will also provide Quality and Food Safety oversight across multiple manufacturing facilities.
Position Responsibilities
- Develop and implement standardized Food Safety policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and recognized food safety standards.
- Establish inspection criteria and procedures related to food quality and safety.
- Provide quality oversight throughout the production process.
- Partner with Production and other plant leadership functions to establish and achieve quality objectives while maximizing product reliability and minimizing costs.
- Maintain and review quality and food safety documentation to ensure established goals and objectives are met.
- Lead the Quality and Sanitation teams, including interviewing, training, scheduling, directing work, conducting performance reviews, and addressing employee relations matters.
- Provide daily direction and support to Quality and Sanitation personnel.
- Maintain required certifications and regulatory accreditations.
- Lead and support internal quality audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections.
- Coordinate preparation for third-party food safety audits and customer audits.
- Conduct facility inspections, internal audits, traceability exercises, and mock recalls to assess compliance with GMPs, food safety, and food security requirements.
- Lead root cause analysis, corrective action initiatives, and complaint trend analysis.
- Communicate quality and food safety issues effectively to plant leadership and serve as a liaison between Quality, Production, Shipping, Sanitation, and other operational functions.
- Promote compliance with all applicable company safety policies and regulatory requirements.
- Provide Quality and Food Safety oversight and support across additional manufacturing facilities as required.
Position Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or a related field preferred. Relevant Quality or Food Safety experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Minimum of five years of experience in Quality and Food Safety within a food manufacturing environment.
- Strong knowledge of applicable food quality and food safety regulations and standards.
- Demonstrated knowledge of analytical techniques and procedures used in the food industry.
- Knowledge of food manufacturing pest control programs.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to create reports, analyze data, and identify trends.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with technical, operational, and commercial teams.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to develop and deliver training programs for Quality and Operations personnel.
- Ability to drive operational excellence through team building, accountability, and clear objectives.
- Strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify issues, determine root causes, and develop comprehensive solutions.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Willingness to travel periodically between manufacturing facilities as