Regulatory Manager | SQF Practitioner

Position Title: Regulatory Manager | SQF Practitioner

Reports To: Director

Department: Quality Assurance

Location: Tracy, CA.

Salary: $100,000-$120,000

Summary:

The Regulatory Manager | SQF Practitioner is a key leadership role that is responsible for overseeing regulatory compliance and the implementation of the Safe Quality Food (SQF) program. This entails staying informed about emerging regulations and executing regulatory strategies to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, as well as food safety certifications. Serving as a crucial resource, the Regulatory Manager | SQF Practitioner provides guidance across company functions to ensure products meet labeling and food safety laws for successful market entry. Additionally, this position will also oversee the supplier program and spec management and product approval while helping the business expand and reach their business goals.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Regulatory Compliance and SQF Implementation and Management:
  • Develop and oversee regulatory control systems to ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and customer- specific food safety policies and regulations.
  • Coordinate the creation, review, and implementation of policies and procedures in response to new laws and regulations.
  • Provide technical support and serve as the expert in food safety and label regulations by managing the distribution of information on USDA/FDA standards, proposed legislative changes, and other regulatory information as needed.
  • Document, implement, and maintain SQF programs, HACCP/HARPC food safety plans, and internal policies to ensure audit readiness and compliance.
  • Regularly reassess SQF programs, HACCP/HARPC food safety plans, and internal policies to ensure adequacy and compliance with changing conditions.
  • Ensure alignment of HACCP/HARPC food safety plans and internal policies with SQF standards.
  • Lead government, third-party, and customer audits, demonstrating comprehensive understanding of compliance requirements.
  • Educate and train employees on SQF programs, HACCP/HARPC food safety plans, GMP, product evaluation, allergen, sanitation, and all other food safety and quality related programs.

• Supplier Management and Risk Mitigation
  • Lead the management and maintenance of the Supplier Approval Program, ensuring supplier compliance.
  • Conduct risk-based analysis of raw ingredients and materials, evaluating supplier performance to mitigate food safety and quality risks.
  • Collaborate with Purchasing and Supply Chain to approve ingredients, assess food safety risks, and address labeling regulations, while also comprehending the effects of factors like raw material quality, production processes, product quality and shelf life.

• Food Safety and Quality Systems Management
  • Lead all aspects of the Quality Systems Management Program, including HACCP, PCHF-Preventative Controls, Process Controls, and third-party, customer, and regulatory audits.
  • Collaborate with the Food Safety and Quality Assurance Team to ensure compliance through inspections, audits, and reviews to ensure audit readiness.
  • Supervise Environmental Monitoring operations to ensure the daily maintenance of hygienic and sanitary conditions within the facility, including planned construction events, through activities focused on pathogen control verification and environmental swabbing.
  • Perform traceback and mock recalls using ERP systems used by TFP to ensure the effectiveness of the recall program.
  • Perform data collection, trend analysis, and KPI tracking for continuous improvement recommendations.
  • Communicate with customers and address all customer and consumer complaints related to food safety and quality, conduct root cause analysis, and provide permanent corrective actions to mitigate recurrence.
  • Complete customer documents and deliver customer requirements upon request in a timely manner including root cause analysis and corrective action reports.

• Product Development and Compliance:
  • Collaborate with Sales and Marketing in Product Development to ensure accuracy of products, labels, and marketing materials according to regulations.
  • Assist in formulating new product variations using approved items in the database.
  • Develop, maintain, and update Product Specifications, Certificates of analysis, Nutritional Information, Production Batch Control Sheets, Product Labels, and Technical Bulletins, while also communicating and reflecting changes across Kiptraq, SharePoint, and other online tools.
  • Investigate and resolve in-house or pre-printed label issues by working with Operations, Purchasing, Art, and QA to ensure label accuracy

• Technical Proficiency
  • In-depth knowledge of food safety regulations and standards, including FDA, USDA, and GFSI (SQF) requirements.
  • Proficiency in developing and implementing HACCP plans, risk assessments, and allergen management programs.
  • Experience with customer, third-party, and regulatory audits and certifications, particularly SQF.
  • Strong understanding of food processing, manufacturing, and distribution processes.
  • Ability to analyze data, generate reports and KPI trends, and present findings to stakeholders.
  • Familiarity with traceability systems, recall procedures, and crisis management.

• Soft Skills Mastery
  • Excellent leadership and communication skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.
  • Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities, particularly under pressure.
  • Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy in documentation and record-keeping.
  • Effective project management and organizational skills to handle multiple priorities.
  • Adaptability and flexibility to thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced manufacturing environment.
  • Team player with the capacity to inspire and mentor team members.
  • Ethical and responsible approach to food safety and quality.

• Requirements and Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Nutrition, Microbiology, or a related field; Master’s degree is a plus.
  • Certified SQF Practitioner and PCQI with a proven track record of managing SQF certification processes.
  • Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in a regulatory or quality management role, food safety audits and inspections, and labeling compliance within the food manufacturing industry.
  • Ability to work in refrigerated environment and have flexibility to work AM and PM shift and sometimes weekends and overtime.
  • Ability to stand, stoop, kneel, wipe, reach, bend and safely lift up to 35 lbs.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by management.
  • Must adhere to all HACCP and Food Safety policies, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s)
  • Must comply with all policies regarding Employee Safety and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Any additional tasks assigned

The above guidelines are merely a general outline of the present needs of this position. We are in a dynamic industry; therefore, these guidelines may change.