Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance Manager at Judge Direct Placement Quality Assurance Manager at Judge Direct Placement in Stanley, North Carolina Posted in 2 days ago.

Type:

full-time

Job Description:

Job Title:

Quality Assurance Manager -

Food Manufacturing Location:

Mount Holly, NC Department:

Quality Assurance / Food Safety & Quality About the Role We are seeking an exceptional Quality Assurance Manager to lead food safety and quality systems at our food manufacturing facility. This is a hands-on leadership role for a high-agency professional who will own the full scope of quality and food safety, drive continuous improvement, and ensure we consistently deliver safe, high-quality products that exceed customer and regulatory expectations. As QA Manager, you will be the guardian of our brand's reputation while enabling efficient, scalable production. You will build and strengthen a true culture of quality across the organization and lead the QA team to deliver outstanding results. Key Responsibilities Lead and continuously improve the site's Food Safety and Quality Management Systems, including

HACCP , SQF

(or BRC), GMP , SSOP , Preventive Controls (FSMA/PCQI) , and all relevant regulatory programs (FDA, USDA, etc.). Own all internal and external audits, ensuring consistently high scores and audit-readiness at all times. Develop, implement, and verify robust quality control procedures for raw materials, in-process, and finished products. Drive proactive risk identification and prevention - lead root cause analysis and implement effective corrective/preventive actions. Build and mentor a high-performing QA team; hire, develop, and coach quality technicians and supervisors to raise the overall performance bar. Collaborate closely with Production, Operations, Maintenance, R D, and Supply Chain to embed quality into daily operations and support new product launches. Monitor key quality metrics, analyze data/trends, and drive measurable improvements in defect rates, customer complaints, and process efficiency. Manage supplier quality programs, including approvals, audits, and performance monitoring. Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory agencies, customers, and third-party auditors on all quality and food safety matters. Champion continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma principles) to reduce waste, enhance consistency, and strengthen the overall quality culture. What We're Looking For - The A-Player Profile Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field (Master's preferred). 7+ years of progressive experience in food manufacturing quality assurance, with at least 4-5 years in a QA leadership role (Manager level or above). Proven expertise in GFSI schemes (SQF or BRC preferred), HACCP , PCQI , and strong working knowledge of FDA and USDA regulations. Track record of successfully leading facilities through rigorous audits with excellent results. Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams and foster a strong food safety and quality culture. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with a data-driven approach. Excellent communication and influencing skills - able to work effectively across all levels of the organization.

High ownership mindset:

proactive, resilient, and results-oriented under pressure. Hands-on leader who is comfortable being in the plant and rolling up sleeves when needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

SQF Practitioner PCQI certification Experience with allergen control, sanitation programs, and environmental monitoring Lean/Six Sigma or continuous improvement experience What Success Looks Like in This Role Zero major audit findings and consistently high GFSI scores Significant reduction in quality incidents and customer complaints A motivated, skilled QA team that operates with minimal supervision Strong cross-functional partnerships and visible quality leadership across the plant Proactive improvements that enhance both compliance and operational efficiency