Food Quality Manager

Talent ACQ; Yakima (WA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Talent Acq Llc is seeking a QA/Food Safety leader for a Central Washington on-site, full-time role. You will own the plant's quality and food safety programs to ensure regulatory compliance and customer specs at a fruit processing facility in Yakima.

You will train staff, maintain certifications, review documentation, and build reports to track product quality and compliance, collaborating across departments to foster a proactive food safety culture.

Qualifications

• Proven QA/QM background in food processing or manufacturing.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, and federal/state regulations.
• Experience with audits and third-party certifications.

Responsibilities

• Partner with operations to drive continuous improvement.
• Track production processes; perform inspections and audits.
• Lead CAPA investigations and ensure corrective actions are implemented.

Skills

Quality assurance

HACCP & GMPs

Food industry experience

Audits & CAPA

Data analysis

Documentation & reports

Communication & training

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science or related

Job description

Location: Central Washington (on-site, full-time)

Compensation: $80,000 to $100,000, depending on experience

About the Company

Our client is an established fruit processor that supplies prepared fruit ingredients to food manufacturers. Its products go into baked goods, fillings, and other fruit-based foods. The operation runs a modern, technology-driven facility built for accuracy and consistency throughout production. The company is known for premium products at competitive prices, a committed workforce, rigorous quality standards, and lasting customer partnerships.

The Opportunity

This leader owns the plant's quality and food safety programs. You will build, roll out, and maintain systems that keep the operation aligned with regulatory requirements, industry benchmarks, and customer specifications. You will set the tone for food safety culture across the site, work hands-on with the production floor, and serve as the main point of contact for customer and regulatory questions.

What You'll Do

• Partner with operations, maintenance, and leadership to drive continuous improvement
• Track production processes and perform routine inspections and audits
• Investigate non-conformances and lead corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
• Keep certifications current and audit-ready
• Train employees on quality and food safety procedures
• Review and maintain quality documentation and records
• Answer inquiries from customers and regulatory agencies
• Build reports and track metrics on product quality and compliance
• Champion a proactive culture of food safety throughout the organization

What You Bring

• A proven quality assurance and quality management background, including leading quality programs in food processing or manufacturing
• Working knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, and applicable federal and state food regulations
• Food & Beverage industry experience. Processed fruit or comparable products strongly preferred, along with familiarity with industry standards and third-party audits
• The ability to prepare for, complete, and lead audits
• Skill in analyzing data, interpreting lab and test results, and using quality metrics to spot trends and improve processes
• Strong documentation and report-writing skills, plus comfort with software for quality and compliance records
• Clear communication and strong interpersonal skills, with a talent for training others and working across departments
• A customer-focused approach
• Leadership ability. Prior supervisor or team lead experience is a plus
• A bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related discipline, or an equivalent mix of education and experience