FSQA - Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager

Position Overview:

The FSQA Leader will play a key role in advancing the facilitys food safety and quality programs, ensuring alignment with regulatory standards (FDA, USDA, HACCP, FSMA), customer expectations, and internal best practices. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a dynamic, forward-thinking culture focused on quality, innovation, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, enhance, and support food safety and quality assurance programs, including HACCP, GMPs, SOPs, SSOPs, and allergen controls.
• Champion compliance with FDA, USDA, and GFSI standards (e.g., SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000).
• Manage audits and inspectionsregulatory, third-party, and customerensuring prompt follow-up and sustained compliance.
• Partner cross-functionally with operations, R&D, and procurement to drive quality and resolve challenges.
• Oversee and support quality system documentation, product specifications, testing protocols, traceability, and recall preparedness.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement through data analysis, trend reporting, and proactive problem solving.
• Support team development through coaching, performance reviews, and ongoing training initiatives.

Ideal Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Animal Science, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in FSQA roles within a food manufacturing environment.
• 2+ years of leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• SQF Practitioner certification or experience with other GFSI schemes (required).
• Strong understanding of regulatory and customer requirements across diverse food production environments.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with QA and ERP systems.

This is a confidential search. All inquiries will be handled with the utmost discretion.

Skills and Requirements

• Minimum 5 years experience as a Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager working in a USDA-FSIS regulated establishment
• Experience working in a food manufacturing environment applying common processes, procedures, and equipment.
• Experience with ready-to-heat, ready-to-eat, and/or ready-to-cook fresh food manufacturing business preferred. Experience working in a chilled environment preferred.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations, GMPs, HACCP principles, and FSQA best practices
• Experience managing FSQA teams and implementing standardized programs
• Strong leadership and training skills to develop and upskill FSQA personnel
• Strong data analysis skills to identify trends and opportunities.
• Excellent cross-functional collaboration and communication skills

Experience / Education

• Bachelor's degree in Food Safety, Food Science, or Culinary Arts
• HACCP certificate required
• PCQI and Intentional Adulteration training preferred