FSQA Manager

About the Role
The Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager plays a vital leadership role in ensuring compliance with food safety regulations, quality standards, and customer requirements within a food manufacturing environment. This position is responsible for managing all aspects of the FSQA program, including regulatory compliance, internal audits, vendor quality, and employee training. The FSQA Manager ensures that all products meet or exceed food safety and quality expectations while supporting continuous improvement across the production process.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee and manage the Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) program, including SQF, HACCP, and PCQI systems
• Serve as the primary contact for regulatory bodies and third-party audits, ensuring full compliance with FDA, USDA, and GFSI standards
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective/preventive actions in response to food safety or quality incidents
• Maintain accurate documentation of FSQA systems, including sanitation, allergen control, traceability, and product recalls
• Manage vendor approval and monitoring processes to ensure all ingredients and materials meet FSQA requirements
• Train employees on food safety protocols, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and quality assurance standards
• Oversee execution and verification of the Master Sanitation Schedule and environmental monitoring programs
• Validate and verify FSQA systems to maintain effectiveness and regulatory compliance
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including production and R&D, to support new product development and ensure quality standards are upheld
• Respond to customer and regulatory documentation requests with accuracy and timeliness
• Manage FSQA department budget and resources
• Supervise the Product Development Specialist and provide guidance on product safety and regulatory compliance

Qualifications:

• At least four years of experience in food safety and quality assurance within a food manufacturing setting
• Certification in Safe Quality Food (SQF), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI)
• Demonstrated success managing regulatory and third-party audits (FDA, USDA, BRC, SQF, AIBI, etc.)
• Expertise in FSQA systems, food safety plans, risk assessments, and documentation control
• Proficient in root cause analysis, CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Actions), and continuous improvement practices
• Strong analytical, organizational, and leadership skills
• Excellent communication and training capabilities

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or a related discipline
• Experience with FSQA software platforms and digital traceability systems
• Familiarity with GFSI standards and current regulatory trends in food safety
• Knowledge of Lean or Six Sigma methodologies for quality improvement
• Proven experience working in allergen-sensitive or high-risk food production environments