Food & Safety QA Manager

Independent Can Company; Belcamp (MD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A food manufacturing firm in Belcamp, Maryland is looking for a Food & Safety QA Manager to lead quality systems development and compliance. You will ensure that products meet infant nutrition standards and oversee audits, training, and quality assurance processes. The ideal candidate has over 10 years in quality assurance, with strong leadership skills and knowledge of FDA regulations. This role emphasizes a commitment to high-quality manufacturing and safety protocols.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in quality assurance in food manufacturing.
• Strong preference for experience in Infant Nutrition (powdered milk production).
• In-depth knowledge of FDA regulations and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and implement a comprehensive Quality Management System (QMS).
• Ensure plant compliance with FDA regulations through audits.
• Oversee quality control activities and monitoring environmental compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Quality Management Systems

Regulatory Compliance

Quality Control

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field

Job description

Overview

Food & Safety QA Manager at Independent Can Company. The Food Safety & Quality Manager works with all departments as the Food Safety Subject Matter Expert (SME). This individual will lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of quality systems to ensure that our products meet or exceed the standards for Infant Nutrition Packaging. This position plays a key role in facility risk assessments, on-site audits, and management of regulatory requirements as they relate to the food industry. The role also manages facility SQF compliance. The Food Safety & Quality Manager collaborates within a broader team to ensure that final products are safe, reliable, and meet customer expectations while maintaining an effective and cost-efficient manufacturing process. This position serves as the key interface with customers, ensuring current and future food safety requirements are met. The manager must lead by example in embodying and driving the Company Core Values and High-Performance Work Culture.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Quality Management: Develop, Implement, and Maintain QMS: Design and enforce a comprehensive Quality Management System (QMS) that adheres to FDA regulations and industry best practices, ensuring all quality policies, procedures, and standards are up-to-date and consistently applied across all operations.
• Quality Policies and Procedures: Establish detailed quality policies and procedures, ensuring every aspect of production is documented and follows strict guidelines to maintain high product quality.
• Quality Control Activities: Oversee all quality control activities, ensuring they are conducted according to established protocols and industry standards, with a focus on continuous improvement and compliance.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the plant meets all FDA regulatory requirements, including cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices), by implementing robust compliance programs and regular audits.
• Regulatory Documentation: Oversee the preparation and timely submission of all necessary regulatory documents and reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Stay Current with Regulatory Changes: Monitor changes in regulatory requirements and adapt plant procedures and policies accordingly, ensuring ongoing compliance and readiness for regulatory inspections.
• Inspection Readiness: Ensure the plant is always prepared for FDA, Health Canada, and customer inspections, maintaining high standards of cleanliness, organization, and compliance.
• Environmental Controls and Hygienic Zoning: Develop and implement environmental control programs to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene; establish and enforce hygienic zoning protocols to prevent cross-contamination and ensure product safety.
• Monitor Compliance: Continuously monitor environmental controls and hygienic zoning adherence, conducting regular audits and inspections to ensure compliance with internal standards and regulatory requirements.
• Lab Oversight and Test Results: Direct external lab operations; implement testing protocols; analyze and report results; address deviations promptly to maintain product integrity.
• Product Release: Enforce release criteria and oversee product release; ensure regulatory and quality compliance before distribution.
• Raw Material, Packaging, and In-Process Testing and Release: Oversee testing and release to ensure materials meet quality and safety standards; develop testing protocols; manage release procedures.
• Quality Assurance: Develop QA programs and monitor activities; conduct QA audits and implement corrective actions as necessary.
• Quality Control: Develop and implement QC procedures; monitor activities; ensure external labs are equipped to conduct testing.
• CAPA and Root Cause Investigations: Establish CAPA programs; lead root cause analyses; monitor effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Risk Management and Recall Procedures: Identify and mitigate risks; investigate issues; develop recall procedures to minimize impact.
• Supplier Auditing and Inspection: Develop supplier auditing/inspection programs; regularly audit suppliers and address compliance issues; foster supplier relationships.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work with R&D, production, and supply chain; provide quality input; liaise with external bodies as needed.
• Leadership and Team Development: Lead and mentor QA/QC teams; recruit, train, and promote a quality culture across plant operations.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive improvement initiatives; use KPIs to monitor and improve quality processes; conduct internal and coordinate external audits.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Work with plant Quality Assurance Managers and personnel, including interviewing, training, directing work, appraising performance, and addressing issues in accordance with policies, core values, and applicable laws.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must meet the following requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, Engineering, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in quality assurance, quality control, or regulatory compliance in the food manufacturing industry, with at least 5 years in a leadership role. Strong preference for experience in Infant Nutrition (powdered milk production).
• In-depth knowledge of FDA regulations, cGMP, HACCP, SQF, GFSI, and other relevant quality and safety standards.
• Experience with FDA and US infant formula quality compliance and assurance in the US; understanding of compliant manufacturing for infant formula/packing with a track record of successful audits and production.
• Proven experience developing and implementing Quality Management Systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical abilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact with diverse individuals at all levels.
• Ability to make timely and sound decisions; ability to negotiate win-win outcomes under pressure.
• Proven ability to use and evaluate measurement tools (see list in original for specifics).

Additional Skills

• Interpersonal Skills: Conflict resolution, confidentiality, active listening, control of emotions, openness to new ideas.
• Teamwork: Collaboration, feedback, and supporting team success.
• Safety and Security: Adheres to safety procedures and proper equipment use.
• Dependability: Communication of issues and meeting commitments.

Education And/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field; minimum of 5 years’ experience in a manufacturing environment managing food and/or packaging quality and safety programs, with experience in GFSI standards and regulatory requirements.

Language Skills

Ability to read instructions, correspondence, and memos, and to write correspondence. Ability to present information effectively in one-on-one and small group situations.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to calculate proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume; apply basic algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense to carry out instructions and solve problems with several variables in standardized situations.

Physical Demands

Hands use, reaching, occasional climbing or stooping; stand, walk, and sit for long periods; lift up to 50 pounds. Vision requirements described.

Work Environment

Exposure to moving parts and vibration; noise level typically loud to moderate.

Note

This job description identifies the general nature and scope of work. Independent Can reserves the right to revise all or any part of this job description and to add or eliminate essential job functions at any time. This job description is subject to change based on the needs of the position and/or the Company. I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above job description/expectations in its entirety and am capable of performing all of the stated requirements.