Senior Quality Assurance Manager

Location: Cincinnati, OH
Salary: $97,000–$140,000 annually, depending on experience
Schedule: Flexible schedule based on operational priorities and completion of responsibilities. Additional hours, weekends, and holidays may be required.

About the Opportunity

An established manufacturing organization is seeking a Senior Quality Assurance Manager to lead quality and food safety programs. This role offers the opportunity to develop teams, strengthen manufacturing processes, and drive continuous improvement.

The organization offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

Position Overview

The Senior Quality Assurance Manager will provide plant-level leadership to ensure products meet established quality standards, food safety requirements, and applicable federal regulations. This position oversees quality assurance activities, supports departmental development, and serves as the site’s designated preventive controls practitioner.

The successful candidate will monitor manufacturing performance, manage quality systems, and lead improvements that support product consistency and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead quality assurance and food safety programs to maintain compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements.

• Oversee laboratory data collection and reporting, verify accuracy, and identify unfavorable trends requiring corrective action.

• Evaluate manufacturing processes and implement improvements that strengthen quality, productivity, and operating efficiency.

• Manage the site’s integrated quality management system, including documentation, training, and internal audits.

• Maintain program requirements supporting recognized quality and food safety certifications.

• Coordinate and support audits conducted by internal teams, regulators, certification bodies, customers, and other external stakeholders.

• Supervise, coach, and develop employees through clear expectations, performance feedback, and training.

• Communicate quality objectives, customer requirements, safety practices, and deadlines.

• Monitor raw material usage and process yields to identify waste and improve performance.

• Manage departmental operating and payroll expenses within established budgets.

• Partner with production and other departments to resolve quality concerns and support continuous improvement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of manufacturing operations, preferably within food production or a related industry.

• Familiarity with laboratory equipment, testing procedures, sanitation, and liquid processing operations.

• Knowledge of HACCP, risk-based preventive controls, and ISO standards is preferred.

• Familiarity with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), microbiology, and aseptic techniques.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.

• Ability to lead, manage, and develop a team.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with statistical analysis, enterprise resource planning, and workforce management software is preferred.

• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Flexibility to support varying shifts, weekends, and holidays as operational needs require.

• Ability to stand for extended periods, walk the manufacturing floor, climb stairs, and lift up to 25 pounds.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or comparable college or technical school coursework of up to three years.

• Preferred areas of study include food science, biology, or chemistry.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three to five years of relevant work experience.

Work Environment

This position works in manufacturing, laboratory, and storage environments. Conditions may include seasonal temperature changes, exposure to outdoor weather, refrigerated areas, and storage locations without temperature control.

The role requires regular movement throughout the facility and flexibility to support operational needs.