FSQA Manager

The Judge Group; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Judge Group is seeking a Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager for a food manufacturing facility in the Tampa, FL area. The role leads food safety, quality control, sanitation, and regulatory programs to ensure USDA-FSIS and GFSI compliance.

You will oversee staff, drive continuous improvement, manage audits and recalls, and collaborate with Production, Operations, Maintenance and Supply Chain to maintain safety and delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Meat Science, Chemistry, or a related field.
• 5+ years FSQA leadership experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• USDA-FSIS experience and knowledge of 9 CFR regulations preferred.
• HACCP Certification is required; PCQI and GFSI certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary contact for USDA-FSIS inspectors and manage NR/Regulatory responses and CAPA.
• Maintain and optimize HACCP, HARPC, SSOPs, and GMP programs to meet USDA and GFSI standards.
• Direct environmental monitoring, microbiological testing, raw material inspection, and product holds/releases.
• Oversee corrective actions and mock recalls; manage customer complaint handling.
• Hire, train, and lead FSQA technicians, QA supervisors, and sanitation staff.
• Collaborate with Production, Operations, Maintenance and Supply Chain to resolve issues without compromising safety or delivery.

Skills

FSQA Leadership

Regulatory Knowledge

Cross-functional Collaboration

Microbiology Knowledge

Education

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

Tools

SQF/BRC auditing knowledge

Job description

Food manufacturing company in the Tampa, FL area is seeking an Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Managerto lead and drive all food safety, quality control, sanitation, and regulatory programs within the processing facility. This role ensures full compliance with federal regulations—specifically USDA-FSIS standards for meat, poultry, or egg processing—as well as GFSI standards (e.g., SQF, BRC). The FSQA Manager serves as the primary liaison to USDA inspectors, oversees quality staff, manages continuous improvement initiatives, and fosters a site-wide culture of food safety.

Responsibilities

• USDA & Regulatory Compliance: Act as the primary point of contact for USDA-FSIS inspectors; manage Noncompliance Reports (NRs), regulatory responses, and corrective actions.

• Food Safety Program Management: Maintain, audit, and optimize HACCP, HARPC, SSOPs, and GMP programs to meet USDA and GFSI certification standards.

• Quality Operations & Testing: Direct environmental monitoring, microbiological testing, raw material inspection, and finished product holds and releases.

• Corrective Actions & Recalls: Oversee root cause analysis (RCA), CAPA implementation, customer complaint management, and mock recall exercises.

• Team Leadership & Development: Hire, train, and manage FSQA technicians, QA supervisors, and sanitation personnel.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Production, Operations, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to resolve quality non-conformances without sacrificing safety or delivery schedules.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Meat Science, Chemistry, or a related field.

• Experience: 5+ years of FSQA leadership experience in a food manufacturing environment.

• USDA Expertise (Preferred): Prior experience in a USDA-inspected processing facility with direct experience interacting with FSIS personnel and knowledge of 9 CFR regulations.

• Certifications:

  • HACCP Certification (Required)

  • PCQI - Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (Preferred)

  • GFSI Practitioner/Auditor Certification (SQF or BRC) (Preferred)

• Technical Skills: Deep knowledge of microbiological sampling, sanitation procedures, statistical process control, and food safety risk assessment.