FSQA Plant Manager (20 Month - Contract)

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. (Home of MadeGood); Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. in Ontario, Canada, is seeking a senior leader to oversee the Food Safety and Quality Management System.

You will coach a plant team, drive continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with CFIA, FDA, BRC and GFCO standards while delivering best-in-class product quality for MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. Ideal candidates bring 7+ years in food safety and quality within manufacturing, strong GMP/HACCP knowledge, and proven ability to lead audits and cross-functional teams

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science and Technology or related field.
• 7+ years comprehensive food safety and quality experience in manufacturing.
• Strong GMP, HACCP, BRC knowledge and root cause analysis.
• Good understanding of Canadian and US food regulations.
• Adaptable with proven auditing and continuous improvement experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operation of Riverside's Food Safety and Quality Management System.
• Establish and maintain food safety and quality standards across processes.
• Maintain records to measure quality performance and audit readiness.
• Drive CAPA and CI initiatives to optimize product quality.
• Coordinate with regulatory audits (CFIA, FDA, BRC, GFCO, Kosher, Organic, Vegan, RSPO).
• Lead plant team development, training, and performance management.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service on consumer inquiries.
• Support R&D with parameters, sampling plans, and CTQs for new materials.

Skills

Leadership

Quality Management

GMP knowledge

HACCP knowledge

Audits & Compliance

Root cause analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology

7+ years food safety & quality experience

GFSI, PCQI, HACCP certifications

Job description

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun.

We’re on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2030, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. At Riverside, you’ll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain - and yes, it will get rough. But that’s what makes the journey worthwhile.

So, lace up your boots and let’s tackle the climb together.

You can learn more about us at www.riversidenaturalfoods.com.

Purpose

The position ensures successful operation of Riverside’s Food Safety and Quality Management System, is a talented leader with strong coaching, people, and decision‑making skills. They are PASSIONATE about Riverside’s values and purpose, food safety, quality (delighting our consumers) and always lead with a continuous improvement mindset.

Primary Responsibilities

• Demonstrate and uphold Riverside’s Core Values and purpose.
• Take OWNERSHIP of Riverside’s Food Safety and Quality Management System of the plant that they are assigned to.
• Establish and maintain food safety and quality standards for processes and products.
• Establish and maintain records to measure and track quality performance.
• Contribute to the plant team to obtain the maximum (best) rating for all the external audits, like unannounced BRC, customer’s audits, etc.
• Lead the voice of our consumers. Always looking for ways to facilitate and/or implement quality systems to provide the best consistent quality product that delight our consumers.
• Apply for and maintain regulatory and relevant industry certifications.
• Ensure that all regulatory, certification, and internal audits are successfully completed on a timely basis (CFIA, FDA, BRC, Gluten Free (GFCO), Kosher, Organic, Vegan, RSPO, etc.)
• Ensure all Private Label (PL) company requirements and audits are always met while continuously building a positive relationship with PL customers.
• Complete a formal risk assessment on food safety, quality, food fraud and vulnerability for all new raw material and innovation items prior to launch approval
• Support the R&D Team with the development, validation, training, monitoring and accuracy of all critical parameters (CTP, CTQ, CTC). Support the definition of sampling plan for CTQs- Critical to Quality parameters.
• Demonstrate leadership in quality and continuous improvement
• Oversee the plant food safety and quality assurance TEAM to ensure all required internal documentation and regulatory records are kept up to date
• Coordinate with Marketing, Sales and Customer Service to respond to consumer and customer complaints and enquiries.
• Facilitate root cause analysis and support the plant leadership in implementing corrective and preventative actions in a RESPECTFUL manner for all quality and food safety complaints.
• Perform vital managerial functions:
• Monitor, train, cross train, coach, and mentor staff. Manage hiring, performance evaluation, discipline and termination of staff.
• Demonstrating HUMILITY by displaying good leadership by helping the TEAM succeed
• Coordinate training and coaching of plant staff in processes and procedures related to quality during the manufacturing process
• Manage quality related communication across all departments in the plant
• Ensure continuous improvement
• Keeps the work atmosphere FUN by keeping it light and welcoming
• Other duties as assigned

Education And Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Technology or other related fields
• 7+ years comprehensive food safety and quality experience with an extensive background in manufacturing food industry
• Strong knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP principles, BRC standards, quality improvement tools and root cause analysis
• Good understanding of food regulations for Canada, the U.S.
• Good understanding of process variability, process capability and SPC.
• GFSI, PCQI, HACCP, and internal audit certification and previous experience leading the audits preferably BRC standard.
• Resourceful and ADAPTABLE

Skills And Abilities

• Demonstrated management ability, capable of working on and leading a diverse TEAM
• Strong multitasking, analytical and decision‑making skills with the ability to identify root cause and solve problems
• Self‑starter with a high level of initiative and ADAPTABILITY
• Strong planning, organizing and time management skills, detail oriented.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written), including the ability to make presentations and conduct training; and to write policies and procedures.
• PASSIONATE individual that has the ability to develop relationships and the business.

Functional & Leadership Competencies

Leadership Competencies

Definition

Collaborates

• Works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives.
• Represents own interests while being fair to others and their areas.
• Partners with others to get work done.
• Credits others for their contributions and accomplishments.
• Gains trust and support of others.

Builds Network

• Builds strong formal and informal networks
• Maintains relationships across a variety of functions and locations
• Draws upon multiple relationships to exchange ideas, resources, and know‑how