FSQA Manager

Judge Direct Placement; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Retirement savings plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Poultry Science Association, Inc. seeks an experienced FSQA Manager in the Tampa, FL area to direct site-wide quality assurance, regulatory compliance, sanitation, and food safety operations.

This role emphasizes USDA-FSIS compliance and meat processing protocols, serving as the primary site authority for federal regulators and guiding multi-shift teams. The ideal candidate has 5+ years in FSQA leadership within high-throughput meat processing environments, HACCP certification, and strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Microbiology, Animal Science, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of progressive FSQA management/leadership experience in a high-throughput food manufacturing environment.
• Direct experience in USDA-inspected meat, poultry, or egg processing facilities and handling FSIS personnel.
• HACCP Certification (Required).
• PCQI and GFSI Practitioner/Auditor Certifications (Strongly Preferred).

Responsibilities

• Regulatory & USDA Oversight: Serve as the primary liaison for USDA-FSIS inspectors and officials, handling NR investigations and regulatory actions.
• HACCP & Quality Systems Management: Direct HACCP, HARPC, SSOPs, and GMPs to ensure USDA and GFSI compliance.
• Quality Verification & Testing Protocols: Oversee environmental monitoring, microbiological testing, raw material inspections, line verifications, and holds for finished goods.
• CAPA & Root Cause Analysis: Lead RCA investigations, implement CAPA, manage customer complaints, and lead mock recalls.
• Team Leadership & Technical Guidance: Mentor FSQA supervisors, lab technicians, and sanitation leads across shifts.
• Operational Collaboration: Partner with Plant Ops, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to resolve non-conformances quickly while preserving product integrity.

Skills

FSQA management

Regulatory compliance

HACCP

CAPA

Root cause analysis

GMPs

PCQI

Laboratory supervision

Environmental monitoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Microbiology, Animal Science, or related

Job description

A growing food processing company in the Tampa, FL area is seeking an experienced FSQA Manager to direct site-wide quality assurance, regulatory compliance, sanitation, and food safety operations. This role is responsible for maintaining rigorous standards across high-risk protein processing environments, with a heavy emphasis on USDA-FSIS regulatory compliance and meat processing protocols. The Quality Systems & Food Safety Manager will serve as the primary site authority for federal regulatory agencies, oversee the quality and laboratory teams, drive continuous quality improvement, and champion a zero-defect food safety culture across all shifts.

Key Responsibilities

• Regulatory & USDA Oversight: Serve as the designated primary liaison for USDA-FSIS inspectors and regulatory officials. Direct the immediate investigation, documentation, and formal response process for Noncompliance Reports (NRs) and regulatory enforcement actions.
• HACCP & Quality Systems Management: Direct and continuously refine site HACCP plans, HARPC protocols, Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) to ensure strict adherence to USDA regulations and GFSI standards (SQF / BRC).
• Quality Verification & Testing Protocols: Oversee comprehensive environmental monitoring, microbiological testing regimens, raw material inbound inspections (specifically meat/protein inputs), line verifications, and hold/release actions for finished goods.
• CAPA & Root Cause Analysis: Lead cross-functional root cause analysis (RCA) investigations, correct quality deviations, execute CAPA initiatives, manage customer complaint inquiries, and lead annual mock recalls.
• Team Leadership & Technical Guidance: Select, train, mentor, and supervise FSQA supervisors, laboratory/QA technicians, and sanitation leads, ensuring multi-shift execution of safety protocols.
• Operational Collaboration: Partner closely with Plant Operations, Maintenance, and Supply Chain leadership to address non-conformances swiftly, maintaining operational efficiency without compromising regulatory standards or product integrity.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Microbiology, Animal Science, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience:
• 5+ years of progressive FSQA management/leadership experience in a high-throughput food manufacturing environment.
• Strongly Preferred: Direct experience working within USDA-inspected meat, poultry, or egg processing facilities and demonstrated hands-on experience handling FSIS personnel and 9 CFR regulations.
• Certifications:
• HACCP Certification (Required)
• PCQI – Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (Strongly Preferred)
• GFSI Practitioner / Auditor Certification (SQF, BRC, or FSSC 22000) (Strongly Preferred)
• Technical Skills: Advanced knowledge of protein/meat processing risks, microbiological sampling techniques, environmental monitoring programs, sanitation chemistry, statistical process control (SPC), and continuous improvement methodologies.

Benefits & Perks

• Comprehensive benefits will be offered, including competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement savings plans, paid time off, and professional development support.