Sr. Food Safety & Quality Manager

The Senior Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) Manager is a key member of the corporate Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) team and is responsible for supporting multiple manufacturing sites by coordinating with Plant Quality Managers and local FSQ teams. This role ensures consistent application of quality systems, supports internal and external audits, drives complaint and CAPA resolution, and leads FSQ continuous improvement initiatives. As a strategic FSQ leader, the Senior Quality Manager also assists with program development, training, and alignment across co-manufactured and branded products.

Come join the team that is reaching exponential potential by multiplying possibilities!

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Multi-Plant Coordination

• Serve as the primary corporate FSQ liaison for 2-4 assigned plants

• Support Plant FSQ Managers in maintaining audit readiness, managing non-conformances, and executing quality systems

• Facilitate consistent implementation of corporate programs and documentation standards across sites

Audit & Customer Support

• Serve as a contact for customer and third-party audits; ensure audit readiness at all times.

• Conduct internal audits and support corrective action closure and effectiveness verification

• Coordinate responses to customer inquiries, compliance documentation, and requests for specification verifications.

• Manage customer complaint investigations, ensuring root cause identification and timely resolution.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to implement and track corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

• Communicate findings and trends to corporate leadership and affected sites.

Quality Systems & Performance Monitoring

• Lead FSQ scorecard reporting, tracking key performance metrics and identifying opportunities for improvement.

• Analyze quality KPIs (complaints, audit scores, right-first-time) and recommend action plans.

• Investigate non-conforming products, implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and verify effectiveness.

Training & Leadership

• Support training rollout for GMP, food safety programs, document control, and internal auditing.

• Coach and mentor FSQ team members, fostering professional development and succession planning.

• Partner with cross-functional leaders to promote food safety and quality ownership across all departments.

Operational & Financial Management

• Manage FSQ department budget, ensuring resources are effectively allocated to meet organizational goals.

• Support cost optimization without compromising food safety or product quality.

• Responsible for evaluating technical accounting matters that will require research and review of contracts/agreements.

• Collaborate with other leaders to enhance quality culture, audit readiness, and program maturity across the organization

• Assist in the integration of FSQ systems for new acquisitions or startup facilities.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.

• Minimum of 7-10 years in food safety and quality management, preferably in a manufacturing environment.

• SQF Practitioner certification required; PCQI certification strongly preferred.

• Proven experience with regulatory compliance, GFSI programs, and customer audit management.

• Demonstrated success in leading teams, managing budgets, and driving continuous improvement.

• Strong understanding of FSMA, GMPs, HACCP, and preventive controls.

• Exceptional organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy.

• Strong analytical skills for interpreting data and making fact-based decisions.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to present to senior leadership and customers.

• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence across functions.