QA Head | Food / Pharma / Process Manufacturing Industry

Northern Extracts; Joonda; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Extracts is seeking a Quality Assurance leader to drive QMS implementation and ongoing compliance across its manufacturing operations in India. The candidate will oversee audits, CAPA, deviations, and root-cause analyses to ensure product quality and regulatory alignment.

Ideal candidates have 5–20 years in QA within food-related industries and a proven ability to lead and mentor teams, standardize SOPs, and collaborate with Production, R&D, Procurement and Operations for quality

Qualifications

• 5 to 20 years of experience in Quality Assurance within food manufacturing, oleoresins, essential oils, spice extracts, nutraceuticals, herbal extracts, pharma, process manufacturing industries.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and quality systems.
• Hands-on audit handling and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement of QMS across manufacturing operations.
• Ensure compliance with FSSC 22000, FSSAI, HACCP, HALAL, KOSHER, GMP, BRCGS and other standards.
• Maintain audit readiness for internal, customer, supplier, regulatory and certification audits.
• Handle CAPA, deviations, non-conformances, validations and quality investigations.

Skills

Food safety & quality systems

Audit handling & compliance

CAPA / RCA / SOP management

GC / GC-MS / HPLC

Leadership & communication

Cross-functional coordination

Job description

Role & responsibilities

Quality Management System (QMS) & Compliance

• Lead the implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of Quality Management Systems (QMS) across manufacturing operations
• Ensure compliance with FSSC 22000, FSSAI, HACCP, HALAL, KOSHER, GMP, BRCGS, and other applicable standards
• Maintain audit readiness for internal, customer, supplier, regulatory, and certification audits
• Handle CAPA, deviations, non-conformances, validations, and quality investigations

SOPs, Documentation & Process Standardization

• Develop, implement, review, and maintain SOPs related to production, process controls, hygiene, testing, sampling, and quality systems
• Ensure effective documentation practices and record management across departments
• Standardize quality processes to improve traceability, consistency, and operational efficiency

Quality Operations & Plant QA

• Supervise raw material inspection, in-process quality checks, sampling, and final product testing
• Monitor Critical Control Points (CCPs) and validation activities
• Ensure quality compliance throughout manufacturing and dispatch operations
• Coordinate with Production, R&D, Procurement, and Operations teams for quality alignment

Data-Driven Process Improvement

• Monitor and analyze quality KPIs such as defect rates, FPY (First Pass Yield), COPQ (Cost of Poor Quality), rejections, and process deviations
• Apply Root Cause Analysis (RCA), SPC tools, and quality improvement methodologies to identify process gaps
• Lead continuous improvement, Lean, and Six Sigma initiatives to eliminate recurring quality issues
• Translate quality data into corrective and preventive improvement actions

Reduction of Scrap, Rework & Waste

• Drive initiatives to reduce scrap, rework, wastage, customer complaints, and non-value-adding activities
• Improve operational efficiency through process optimization and preventive quality systems
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to improve incoming material quality and process consistency

Audit, Regulatory & Certification Management

• Plan and execute internal audits, supplier audits, and certification audits
• Maintain certifications and ensure regulatory compliance across all quality systems
• Support implementation and closure of audit observations and CAPA actions

Team Leadership & Quality Culture

• Lead, mentor, and develop the QA team to ensure strong execution and accountability
• Conduct quality and food safety training programs for employees and plant staff
• Promote a proactive quality culture focused on prevention rather than detection
• Ensure QA objectives are aligned with overall business and operational goals

Customer Quality & Complaint Management

• Investigate customer complaints and implement effective corrective and preventive actions
• Monitor complaint trends and drive improvements to reduce recurrence
• Act as the customers quality advocate by ensuring product consistency, compliance, and reliability

Reporting & Strategic Quality Planning

• Prepare quality dashboards, KPI reports, and management review presentations
• Present quality performance metrics linked to operational and financial outcomes
• Recommend strategic improvements in SOPs, systems, compliance, and process controls
• Align quality initiatives with long-term business, operational, and customer objectives

Experience Required

5 to 20 years of experience in Quality Assurance within: Food Manufacturing, Oleoresins, Essential Oils, Spice Extracts, Nutraceuticals, Herbal Extracts, Pharma, Process Manufacturing Industries

Required Skills

1. Strong knowledge of food safety and quality systems
2. Hands-on experience in audit handling and regulatory compliance
3. Expertise in CAPA, RCA, SOP management, and documentation systems
4. Knowledge of GC / GC-MS / HPLC preferred
5. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
6. Ability to manage cross-functional coordination and plant quality operations

Preferred Candidate Profile

1. Experience in export-oriented manufacturing setup preferred
2. Exposure to customer audits and certification processes preferred
3. Strong understanding of manufacturing quality systems and process standardization