ROLE PURPOSE / POSITION SUMMARY

The Quality Manager provides leadership for all Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Regulatory Compliance, and Continuous Improvement programs within the facility. This role ensures products are manufactured in compliance with customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and MSI Express standards while fostering a culture of food safety, quality excellence, and operational accountability.

The Quality Manager partners with Operations and other functional leaders to drive quality performance, maintain audit readiness, mitigate risk, and deliver exceptional customer satisfaction.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES / PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Quality & Food Safety Leadership

• Lead quality, food safety, sanitation, HACCP, allergen control, and GMP programs.

• Ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and company requirements.

• Serve as the site's food safety and quality subject matter expert.

Quality Systems & Compliance

• Maintain and continuously improve quality management systems, procedures, specifications, and documentation.

• Ensure facility readiness for customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.

• Manage corrective and preventive action programs and verify sustainable solutions.

Customer & Audit Management

• Serve as the primary customer contact for quality-related matters.

• Lead customer, regulatory, and certification audits and ensure timely closure of findings.

• Monitor customer complaints and drive effective root cause analysis and resolution.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, develop, and coach quality team members.

• Promote employee engagement, accountability, and a culture of continuous improvement.

• Ensure effective training programs for food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

Continuous Improvement

• Monitor quality metrics and plant performance to identify trends and improvement opportunities.

• Utilize data analysis and problem-solving tools to improve product quality and operational effectiveness.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to drive sustainable process improvements.

Business Partnership

• Collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Commercial teams to support customer service, productivity, and business objectives.

• Manage departmental budgets and resources effectively.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS / CAPABILITY PROFILE

Minimum Education

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or related scientific field

• Advanced degree preferred

• PCQI certification preferred

• SQF Practitioner or equivalent certification preferred

Minimum Experience

• 7+ years of progressive Quality Assurance and Food Safety experience in food manufacturing.

• 3+ years of leadership experience managing salaried and hourly team members

• Experience leading customer, regulatory, and third-party audits

• Experience managing HACCP, Preventive Controls, GMP, and sanitation programs

• Co-manufacturing or contract packaging experience preferred

Minimum Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Leadership and team development

• Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• HACCP, GMPs, Allergen Controls, and Sanitation Management

• Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Actions

• Statistical Process Control (SPC)

• Continuous Improvement and Data Analysis

• Project and Budget Management

• Strong communication, organization, and customer relationship skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality systems

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Position is based onsite in a food manufacturing and packaging facility.

• Frequent exposure to production environments, food allergens, varying temperatures, elevated noise levels, and moving machinery.

• Must be available to support off-shift operations, customer visits, audits, production issues, and business-critical events as needed.

• Occasional travel may be required for customer meetings, training, audits, and company events.

• Ability to stand and walk throughout the facility for extended periods.

• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and access elevated platforms as needed.

• Ability to occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and lift up to 25 pounds.

• Ability to wear required PPE, including hairnets, beard nets, safety glasses, hearing protection, and other food safety equipment.

• Ability to work in refrigerated, ambient, and warm manufacturing environments.

• Ability to visually inspect products, equipment, documentation, and production processes.

• Ability to effectively communicate with employees, customers, auditors, and regulatory agencies.