Dairy QA Lead: Food Safety & Compliance

California-Dairies,-Inc.-; Los Banos (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

California-Dairies,-Inc.- is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to oversee all quality systems, food safety programs, and regulatory compliance within our dairy manufacturing facility (butter, powder, and packaging). You will lead the QA laboratory team and support overall plant performance.

You will manage SQF, HACCP, and GMP programs, conduct trainer-led sessions, coordinate audits with USDA and state inspectors, and drive continuous improvement across QA functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Dairy Science, Food Science, or related field is required.
• 4+ years QA leadership experience in a food manufacturing environment, preferably dairy.
• Must hold or obtain State certification as a Certified Industry Supervisor for Appendix N drug residue testing.

Responsibilities

• Oversee SQF, HACCP / Food Safety plan, GMP, Allergen, and Bio-Security programs to ensure food safety and compliance.
• Lead daily reviews of microbiological test results, HACCP sheets, in-process logs, and CIP sanitation records; investigate out-of-spec trends.
• Manage product release processes, including reviewing Certificates of Analysis for butter and powder; manage hold/release inventory.
• Direct the Environmental Microbiological Monitoring program.
• Design and deliver annual and new-hire training for GMP, HACCP / Food Safety plan, Allergen, and Bio-Security programs.
• Conduct daily plant inspections to verify GMP adherence, sanitation, and USDA seal integrity.
• Serve as primary plant liaison for Federal, State, local, USDA, and third-party inspectors during audits and equipment checks.
• Oversee the plant wastewater program, ensuring sampling, testing, and NPDES permit reporting are compliant.
• Manage, schedule, and develop Quality Assurance Technicians; conduct performance evaluations and training.
• Standardize sampling and testing protocols across all laboratory staff.
• Oversee calibration schedules and maintenance for lab and processing equipment (thermometers, NIRs, pH meters, refractometers).
• Manage laboratory supply inventory and purchasing budgets.
• Enforce SQF, QA, GMP, Safety policies; “Food Safety and Quality” responsibilities.

Skills

Root-cause analysis

Analytical troubleshooting

Math/statistical skills

Quality mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Dairy Science, Food Science, or related field

Certified Industry Supervisor for Appendix N drug residue testing

Tools

Quality tracking software

Lab instruments

Data entry systems

Job description

California-Dairies,-Inc.- is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to oversee all quality systems, food safety programs, and regulatory compliance within our dairy manufacturing facility (butter, powder, and packaging). You will lead the QA laboratory team and support overall plant performance.

You will manage SQF, HACCP, and GMP programs, conduct trainer-led sessions, coordinate audits with USDA and state inspectors, and drive continuous improvement across QA functions.