Enterprise QA & Food Safety Leader

utzexternalcareer1; Hanover (York County); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental plans

Vision plans

Employer 401k match

Job summary

Utz Quality Foods in Hanover, PA is seeking a strategic QA and Food Safety leader to set the vision and governance for QAFS across manufacturing, distribution, and partner networks. You will partner with senior leaders to align quality with business growth and ensure consumer protection.

The role requires 12+ years in QA/food safety, 5+ years multi-site leadership, and strong knowledge of FSMA, GFSI, and audits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field; Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive QA and food safety experience in food manufacturing, corporate quality, distribution, and/or third-party operations.
• 5+ years of multi-site leadership across a complex network.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, regulatory, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, FSMA, and GFSI requirements.
• Experience leading audits, managing regulatory relationships, and driving continuous improvement through root cause analysis, data, and risk-based decisions.
• Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders, build alignment, and develop high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Set enterprise QAFS strategy, priorities, standards, governance, and long-range roadmaps across the network.
• Lead, coach, and develop senior QAFS leaders while building organizational capability and succession strength.
• Oversee core QAFS programs, including GFSI/SQF, FSMA, GLPs, product commercialization, audit readiness, root cause problem solving, and preventative action.
• Partner cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Procurement, R&D, Commercial, Distribution, Engineering, and executive leadership to align QAFS priorities with business strategy.
• Lead escalation, crisis management, regulatory response, and enterprise consumer complaint programs.
• Use KPIs, audits, complaint trends, and performance data to identify risk, drive accountability, and prioritize continuous improvement.
• Champion a strong food safety and quality culture across company-operated and partner operations.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Root cause analysis

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Utz Quality Foods in Hanover, PA is seeking a strategic QA and Food Safety leader to set the vision and governance for QAFS across manufacturing, distribution, and partner networks. You will partner with senior leaders to align quality with business growth and ensure consumer protection.

The role requires 12+ years in QA/food safety, 5+ years multi-site leadership, and strong knowledge of FSMA, GFSI, and audits.