Position Summary Our highly skilled Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager will lead day-to-day quality and food safety operations at our Morgan Hill facility. This critical leadership role is responsible for overseeing all facets of food safety, regulatory compliance, and quality systems assuring our products meet the highest standards. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver with strong leadership, investigative, and communication skills, who can effectively coach their team, drive continuous improvement, and uphold our commitment to excellence. This role requires a hands-on approach, the ability to work independently, and the flexibility to adapt to shifting business needs. You'll collaborate across departments and serve as a key decision-maker in FSQA-related matters.
Facility-Wide Responsibilities:
- Promote and maintain a clean, safe work environment to uphold product integrity and employee safety.
- Follow and enforce all HACCP, GMP, and safety protocols always.
- Ensure facility-wide adherence to BRC Global Standards and FDA regulations.
- Support sanitation practices across production, freezers, and facility spaces.
- Thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
FSQA Leadership & Program Oversight:
Manage comprehensive food safety programs: pest control, environmental monitoring, customer complaints, hold and release, traceability, and product recall readiness. Lead internal and external audits (BRC, FDA, customer), ensuring site readiness and compliance.
Supervise product and environmental testing:
finished product sampling, ATP, and swabbing—initiating timely actions for any non-compliance. Review and sign off on daily FSQA documentation and positive release processes.
Oversee and maintain FSQA systems:
nonconformance tracking, CAPA, change control, and quality documentation. Monitor and resolve non-conformance issues, manage hold inventory, and drive corrective and preventive measures to reduce losses.
Strategic & Cross-Functional Leadership:
Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory bodies (FDA, USDA) and certification agencies (Organic, Kosher, Halal). Lead and coach the FSQA team, ensuring effective quality inspections, testing, and process adherence. Develop and deliver training programs for staff in HACCP, GMPs, allergens, sanitation, and quality systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to influence equipment design, change management, and process improvements. Leverage data and trends enhance process control and drive continuous improvement.
Qualifications :
B.S. in Food Science, Microbiology, or similar degree 5+ years of progressive food industry experience in food safety and quality assurance, or an equivalent combination of education and progressive food-industry QA experience. 2-5 years in quality system design and management. Experience in thermal and RTE processing is required; aseptic packaging is a plus. In-depth knowledge of
FSMA, HACCP
(certified), GFSI, and FDA regulatory standards. PCQI certification preferred. Demonstrated experience with internal and third-party auditing and team training. Familiarity with Organic, Kosher, and Halal programs. Strong written/verbal communication skills; bilingual in Spanish is a plus. Solid understanding of continuous improvement tools and root cause analysis.
Physical Requirements:
This role requires a mix of office, lab, and plant floor presence. Tasks may include walking, standing, climbing ladders, and occasional lifting. A flexible approach is essential to meet the physical and operational demands of the role. Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Compensation:
The final determination of a successful candidate's starting pay will vary based on several factors, including market location, job related knowledge, skills, education, and experience. The pay scale listed for this position is generally for candidates that meet the specified qualifications and requirements listed on this job specific job description. Our goal is to provide competitive pay that recognizes your experience, credentials, and education alongside our benefits program to meet your needs. Equal Employment Opportunity George Chiala Farms, Inc. is an
Equal Opportunity Employer Pay:
$115,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Vision insurance
Work Location:
In person