Assistant Manager, Packaging Quality Assurance

The Boston Beer Company; Upper Macungie Township (PA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

Stock purchase plan

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

The Boston Beer Company is seeking an Assistant Manager, Packaging Quality Assurance in Breinigsville, PA. You will lead a QA team across brewing and packaging operations, ensuring food safety, quality systems, and regulatory compliance.

The role requires strong leadership, laboratory oversight, and process improvement mindset. You will drive CAPA and RCA initiatives, develop SOPs, and mentor technicians while coordinating with manufacturing, maintenance and engineering to uphold food safety

Qualifications

• Undergraduate technical science degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Engineering or Brewing Science.
• MS or MBA preferred for advanced roles.
• Experience with laboratory management and HACCP/PCQI certification.
• Experience with GFSI/SQF preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of QA technicians in brewing, microbiology and/or packaging QA.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory agencies (TTB, FDA, state/local).
• Develop and maintain SOPs; conduct GMP and process audits.
• Provide technical support for laboratory instrumentation and processes and manage lab inventory.
• Host audits from third parties and drive CAPA/RCA improvement.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Laboratory management

HACCP

PCQI

GFSI/SQF

Statistical analysis

Effective communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Undergraduate technical science degree

MS or MBA

Job description

Job Description

We are currently hiring an Assistant Manager, Packaging Quality Assurance in Breinigsville, PA. The Assistant Quality Manager leads the brewing/microbiology and/or packaging quality assurance functions. This role is responsible for leading a team of QA technicians to support a laboratory and production operation. The position requires technical expertise in Food Safety, Quality Management Systems, Laboratory Management, Processing (Brewing and Blending) Microbiology and Packaging. The individual in this role must be skilled at teamwork, cross functional influence and collaboration. The qualified candidate must be outgoing, flexible, energetic, results-oriented and have a passion for developing people and processes.

What You’ll Brew

• Managerial Responsibilities: the position has from 1-15 direct reports
• Partner with manufacturing functions (brewing, blending, packaging, warehouse, maintenance and engineering) to implement, maintain and improve food safety and quality management processes and verify their effectiveness
• Ensure compliance with regulatory agencies including TTB, FDA, state and local authorities
• Lead and/or facilitate the Brewery Food Safety and HACCP Teams
• Lead verification and validation of HACCP program
• Lead and manage a team of Quality Technicians including ongoing performance and professional development
• Supervise laboratory personnel and ensure accuracy and timeliness of results
• Develop and support a culture of food safety and quality
• Collect, review and interpret food safety and quality performance data to identify, correct non‑conformances and support process improvement
• Manage and coordinate the non‑conforming process and make material and product dispositions
• Perform regular verification of process efficacy through audits, verifications and coordination of external lab testing
• Generate, interpret and distribute daily, weekly and monthly quality reports including KPIs
• Provide technical expertise, support and troubleshooting for laboratory instrumentation and processes
• Oversee laboratory inventory management process
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures including laboratory and production QC checks
• Develop and deliver training on new or revised processes and SOPs
• Perform sanitation, GMP and process audits and ensure food safety and quality standards are met
• Host third party regulatory, food safety, quality visits and audits
• Perform material, ingredient and product evaluations including sensory evaluation
• Lead and facilitate problem solving teams and improvement efforts using formal tools such as CAPA and/or RCA tools
• Manage and track trials including observation, data collection, reporting and interpretation of results
• Monitor consumer complaints and lead improvement initiatives
• Evaluate test results on incoming materials or ingredients and partner with the supplier quality and procurement functions
• Fill the role of other Assistant QA Managers and QA Manager during absences

Leadership Responsibilities

• Responsible for the hiring, onboarding, training, and retaining of engaged & high‑performing coworkers
• Ensures that direct reports are provided with clear expectations & direction and are empowered and held accountable to achieve their goals and perform their jobs
• Builds a collaborative & results‑oriented team by resolving conflicts as they arise, removing roadblocks, inspiring people to action, and helping the team to decide to change and/or make changes
• Provides regular and meaningful feedback to coworkers through development, coaching, and comprehensive performance reviews that focus on learning, growth and continuous improvement

Working Conditions

• Frequent exposure to production environments
• Subject to loud, constant noise
• Non‑environmentally conditioned spaces which may lead to extreme hot and cold
• Operating environment is complex and densely populated with production equipment and forklifts requiring high situational awareness
• Work overtime as needed; may require 12‑hour days, weekends, and holidays

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate Technical Science degree preferably in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Engineering or Brewing Science
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience in the food and beverage manufacturing industry
• Minimum 1 year experience working in operations department (brewing, batching, blending, packaging or warehousing)
• Experience with laboratory management
• Ability to clearly articulate strategies, objectives, plans, concepts, philosophies and recommendations
• Experience managing analytical and microbiology laboratories
• Experience with GFSI, SQF preferred
• HACCP Certified, PCQI certified
• Experience with statistical evaluation of production data, control charts etc.
• Effective verbal & written communication skills
• Ability to work with all levels of management in multi‑functional departments
• Proven analytical, problem‑solving, and project management skills
• Ability to be flexible and shift priorities in a constantly changing, fast‑paced work environment
• Demonstrated ability to be successful in a collaborative team environment
• Comfortable taking leadership role and ability to effectively influence others
• Highly effective multi‑tasker; resourceful with a “get‑it‑done, can‑do” attitude
• Able to impact and effect positive change with a flexible, open‑minded, positive approach

Physical Demands

• All production roles require passing a pre‑employment physical exam to comply with specific role requirement(s)
• Certain roles may require the use of a respirator and passing the associated fit test
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, sometimes repeatedly
• Regular walking and standing for long periods of time (up to 11 hours a day) on concrete, metal and grated surfaces
• Responsibilities may require crouching, stepping over, crawling under, bending, twisting, climbing and reaching above head and shoulders repeatedly throughout the day
• May require climbing flights of stairs, working from heights or on elevated platforms
• Ability to wear assigned PPE (safety shoes, gloves, facemask, hearing protection and hard hat)
• Established dexterity to handle materials, operate equipment and interface with computer systems with precision
• Some roles (e.g., forklift operator) may require prolonged sitting and strong peripheral vision and depth perception
• Overall role requires light physical exertion intermixed with regular and sometimes extended time in hot and cold environments
• Must be able to walk, climb stairs, bend under conveyors and step over conveyors in a production environment for extended periods
• Occasionally lift and move boxes up to 50 lbs.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS or MBA

Salary and Benefits

Salary range: $82,000 – $141,000, depending on experience, skillset and location. Eligible for discretionary annual bonus based on company and individual performance. Certain sales roles may include a car allowance.

Benefits include generous healthcare on day one, stock purchase plan, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, fertility/adoption support, free financial coaching, health & wellness program and discounts, professional development & training, and free beer (eligibility subject to discussion with recruiter).