FSQA Team Lead Hamilton, ON 8/31/2026

Maple Leaf Foods; Hamilton; Hybrid; CAD 62,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Pension plan

Tuition reimbursement

Volunteer days

Job summary

Maple Leaf Foods in Hamilton, Ontario is hiring a FSQA Team Leader to supervise QA staff and lead food safety programs. You will coordinate audits, corrective actions, training, and cross-functional SOP development to ensure regulatory compliance and product quality.

This role offers growth within a carbon-neutral, consumer‑driven protein company. The ideal candidate holds a relevant degree (asset) with 3+ years FSQA supervisory experience in food manufacturing, strong microbiology/chemistry

Qualifications

• Post secondary education asset.
• 3+ years supervisory FSQA experience in food manufacturing.
• Experience in basic food chemistry and microbiology, allergen controls, auditing, GFSI/BRC, sanitary design and HACCP.
• Ability to manage and build a team independently.
• Proven ability to partner with cross functional areas to improve efficiency.
• Knowledge of quality systems and inspection programs.
• Strong leadership, detail orientation and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent command of English and MS Office proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Supervise QA Process Leaders to ensure tasks are done consistently and efficiently.
• Administering Quality and Food Safety programs and protocols.
• Plan QA staffing according to production needs, approve hours and schedule vacations.
• Hire and onboard direct reports with Employee Services support.
• Provide training (equipment, food safety, WHMIS, SDS, basic micro/chemistry).
• Participate in cross functional SOP development and implementation.
• Provide HACCP and Food Safety program updates and act as liaison for regulatory compliance.
• Prepare for third party audits and coach managers for audits.
• Assist with investigations and corrective actions based on deviations or complaints.
• Monitor environmental sampling programs and ensure EMS updates.
• Analyze sanitation data to identify root causes and improvements.
• Audit non-compliance and drive corrective actions for quality assurance.
• Drive continuous process improvement and training for hourly and salary staff.
• Provide technical expertise to Manufacturing Operations on quality, safety, and GMPs.
• Guide QA/FS activities across Sanitation, BRC, Employee Relations and Health & Safety.
• Support health and safety programs and ensure a safe working environment.
• Be flexible to move between shifts/departments for vacation support.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Food chemistry

Food microbiology

Allergen controls

Auditing

GFSI/BRC

HACCP principles

Team leadership

Interpersonal skills

English communication

MS Office

Quality systems knowledge

Education

B.Sc. in Chemistry or Microbiology

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The Opportunity:

The FSQA Team Leader at the Heritage facility is responsible for ensuring the effective functioning of the food safety programs through task review, verification, and monitoring activities, as well as program review and auditing functions. The incumbent will lead & engage cross functional teams during audit completion and development of corrective action plans for regulatory and internal non‑compliance findings.

Reason for vacancy: Existing Headcount

Compensation: $62,000 – $91,000 CAD base pay annually plus annual short‑term incentive

Any MLF team member interested in being considered for this role are encouraged to apply online by September 14. Applications received beyond that date are not guaranteed consideration.

Snapshot of a Day-in-the-Life:

• Supervise a staff of QA Process Leaders, ensuring that tasks are conducted consistently, efficiently and meet the needs of the business.
• Administering Quality and Food Safety programs and protocols
• Planning QA staffing requirements according to staffing levels and production demands, including approving of hours on a weekly basis and vacation scheduling.
• Work with the Employee Services Department to hire direct reports and onboard effectively
• Administer training (one on one, or group training). Training includes but is not limited to equipment training, food safety training, WHMIS, SDS packages, basic micro and chemistry.
• Participate in cross functional SOP development, updating and implementation.
• Provide HACCP and MLF Food Safety and Quality program updates, maintenance, verification's and function as a cross functional liaison to ensure the plant is meeting regulatory and compliance requirements for all stakeholders
• Preparing for third party audits (CVS, HACCP, BRC, FSQMS or customer) and prepare/coach cross functional managers before and during these audits.
• Assist in follow up, investigations and issue any corrective actions, if necessary, based on deviations found in plant process or resulting from customer complaints.
• Assist with environmental monitoring program for all relevant parts of equipment and areas of the facility (RTE – TPC, Listeria, ATP, RAW – ATP, TPC). Ensure results are populated/updates in Environmental Monitoring System (EMS).
• Assist with analysis of sanitation/environmental data to determine root cause of deficiencies and provide sanitation and operations team feedback on performance and necessary improvements.
• Audit and report non‑compliance and take corrective actions to assure compliance to all quality assurance food safety requirements on a regular and daily basis.
• Maintaining an attitude of continuous process improvement and training of employees at hourly and salary levels
• Provides technical expertise to the Manufacturing Operations regarding product quality, food safety, and good manufacturing practices.
• Plan, actively engage, communicate and provide direction with respect to Quality Assurance/Food Safety and related activities in all programs such as Sanitation, BRC, Employee Relations, Health and Safety Programs etc.
• Developing a constructive work environment through excellent interpersonal, team building skills, open communications, encouraging input and constructive performance management.
• Support and execute the Company’s Food Safety programs at the facility in conjunction with Operations, Maintenance, Sanitation and all other plant functional areas.
• Support and promote the company’s health and safety program, maintain a safe working environment and ensure continued compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and JHSC recommendations
• Required to move between shifts/departments for vacation support

What You’ll Bring:

• Post secondary education, B.Sc. in Chemistry or Microbiology would be an asset.
• Supervisory experience 3+ years in FSQA within a food manufacturing environment, preferably in a unionised setting.
• Experience in basic food chemistry, basic microbiology, allergen controls, auditing, GFSI/BRC, sanitary design and HACCP principles.
• Ability to manage and build a team independently.
• Demonstrated ability to forge partnerships with multiple cross functional areas, (i.e. Operations, Maintenance, Sanitation) to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Knowledge of industry related quality systems and inspection programs.
• Proven leadership abilities.
• Detail and results oriented.
• Very strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong ability to communicate (i.e. read, speak and write) in English.
• Proficient in MS Office tools (Excel and Word).

What We Offer at Maple Leaf Foods:

• Being part of a high‑performance, people‑focused company that has an inspiring and unique vision to become the most sustainable protein company on earth, and a deep commitment to sustainable protein across North America.
• An inclusive company culture and a work environment that keeps our people safe, rewards excellence, and empowers everyone to learn and contribute their best.
• Competitive Health and Wellness benefits that offer flexibility to meet your individual or family needs, including programs focused on improving mental health and wellbeing. These benefits start on your first day of employment.
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with company matching that starts on your first day of employment.
• Learning and development opportunities, including workshops, ‘speaker series’ events, and resources that allow you to develop your skills and progress your career.
• Comprehensive tuition reimbursement program that supports continuous learning and development of our team members through investment in eligible degrees, diplomas, professional certification, or trades programs.
• Supporting our deep commitment to community impact, we offer up to two paid days annually to volunteer at a cause of your choice.

About Us:

We’re a carbon neutral food company on a purposeful journey to Raise the Good in Food through better nutrition, safer food and workplaces, more humane animal care, and environmental sustainability efforts that protect our planet. We care about our communities and commit to reducing food insecurity in Canada. Join us on the journey. Let’s build a better future, together.

We’re passionate about food. For more than 100 years, we’ve made delicious, healthy protein that Canadians love under iconic national and regional brands, like Maple Leaf®, Schneiders®, and Greenfield Natural Meat Co.® We’re on a journey to become the most sustainable protein company – not just in Canada – but on earth.

• We are carbon neutral.
• We are one of the only food companies in Canada to set science‑based targets.

A diverse and inclusive work environment

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision and living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values. We believe in building, investing in, recognizing, and rewarding remarkable people who value an inclusive workplace, embrace all forms of diversity, and commit to including every voice in our collaborative environment. We’re so much stronger when we know we’re accepted and valued for who we are and what we each bring to the workplace.

We embrace a strong, values‑based culture

Our eight Leadership Values are our north star. They guide the decisions we make for all our stakeholders: our consumers, our customers, our people, our communities, our shareholders, and the environment.

• Doing What’s Right
• Shared Value
• High Performance
• Diverse and Inclusive Teams
• Disciplined Decision Making
• Our Accountability
• Intense Curiosity
• Transparency and Humility

We thank all applicants for their interest in exploring employment opportunities with Maple Leaf Foods; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may be subject to a background check and must meet the security criteria designated for the position.

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision, living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values, and delivering winning results. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired; please contact our Talent Attraction Team at [e-mail] .

Disclaimer: Please note that salaries posted on sites other than the MLF Careers Page are not a reflection of Maple Leaf Foods and are an estimated salary range provided by that particular job board. Maple Leaf Foods offers competitive wages and an attractive total rewards package, which will be discussed during an interview with our Talent Team.