Food Safety & Quality Manager

Piedmont Candy Company; Lexington (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Piedmont Candy Company in Lexington, NC is seeking a Food Safety & Quality Manager to design, lead, and oversee our comprehensive safety and quality programs. You will head a small team, ensure FDA and BRC compliance, and drive audit readiness, training, and continuous improvement.

You will partner with Operations, HR, and Maintenance to embed quality into every process, lead CAPA activities, and serve as PCQI.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Safety, Quality, Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in food manufacturing with leadership in Food Safety and/or Quality.
• Strong knowledge of FDA regulations and BRC/GFSI standards requirements.
• Proven success leading audits and interacting with regulators and customers.
• Experience managing HACCP and GMP programs.
• Certifications such as HACCP, PCQI, SQF/BRC Practitioner preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage all food safety and quality programs, including BRC certification, HACCP plans, GMPs, allergen control, traceability, recall, and sanitation verification.
• Lead the development, revision, and validation of HACCP and food safety plans.
• Ensure programs are audit-ready and effective, working closely with cross-functional leaders.
• Direct the Food Safety & Quality Coordinator in supporting program documentation and daily compliance activities.
• Lead preparation and defense for regulatory, certification, and customer audits (FDA, BRC).
• Serve as the site's designated Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI).
• Provide ongoing support to HR related to occupational health & safety programs.
• Supervise and mentor the Food Safety & Quality Coordinator and QA Technicians.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and HR to deliver training for GMPs and compliance.
• Lead CAPA for product quality and food safety issues.
• Monitor compliance metrics and drive improvements.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Safety, Quality, Engineering, or related field

Tools

HACCP

PCQI

FDA regulations

BRC/GFSI standards

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Lexington, NC 27262, Salary Range: $110,000.00 - $120,000.00 Salary/year, At Piedmont Candy Company, we've been crafting sweet, nostalgic smiles for generations, and now we're building the future of our business with that same care and commitment.

As we scale, we're making bold investments in automation, modernization, and people. Compliance with FDA and BRC standards is critical to our success, and so is building a culture where safety and quality go hand in hand.

This is a pivotal moment in our journey, and we're seeking a Food Safety & Quality Manager who will bring leadership, technical expertise, and strategic oversight to our Food Safety and Quality programs. If you're energized by building strong compliance systems, leading audits, and mentoring a growing team, this is an opportunity to make a direct and lasting impact.

We operate with the agility of a close-knit team while aligning with the discipline and ambition of a growing business. If you're ready to help safeguard our products, our people, and our future, we invite you to explore your future with Piedmont Candy.

Position Summary:

The Safety & Quality Manager will be responsible for the design, leadership, and oversight of the company's Food Safety and Quality programs. This includes regulatory compliance (FDA, BRC), audit readiness, training, and continuous improvement. The role will lead a small team (Food Safety & Quality Coordinator & QA Technicians) and partner closely with Operations, HR, and Maintenance to ensure safety and quality are built into every process.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own and manage all food safety and quality programs, including BRC certification, HACCP plans, GMPs, allergen control, traceability, recall, and sanitation verification.
• Lead the development, revision, and validation of HACCP and food safety plans.
• Ensure programs are audit-ready and effective, working closely with cross-functional leaders.
• Direct the Food Safety & Quality Coordinator in supporting program documentation and daily compliance activities.
• Lead preparation and defense for regulatory, certification, and customer audits (FDA, BRC).
• Serve as the site's designated Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), responsible for developing, reviewing, and validating food safety plans in compliance with FDA requirements.
• Ensure a certified PCQI is always present or available during operating hours.
• Provide ongoing support to HR related to occupational health & safety programs.
• Supervise and mentor the Food Safety & Quality Coordinator and QA Technicians, ensuring alignment and development.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and HR to deliver effective training programs for GMPs, food safety, and compliance.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) for both product quality and food safety issues.
• Monitor compliance metrics, identify trends, and recommend improvements to reduce risk and enhance performance.
• Build a proactive culture of quality and food safety through communication, accountability, and employee engagement.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Safety, Quality, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years' experience in food manufacturing, with leadership in Food Safety and/or Quality.
• Strong knowledge of FDA regulations and BRC/GFSI standards requirements.
• Proven success leading audits and interacting with regulators and customers.
• Experience managing HACCP and GMP programs.
• Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills; ability to influence across functions.
• Certifications such as HACCP, PCQI, SQF/BRC Practitioner preferred.

What We Offer:

• A collaborative, forward-thinking team environment.
• The opportunity to lead critical programs that safeguard our people, products, and reputation.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Professional growth and leadership development opportunities.
• The chance to join a company with a proud heritage, exciting growth plans, and a strong commitment to quality and safety.