FSQA Manager

gpac; Town of Waverly (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

gpac partners with a premier pet food manufacturer to recruit a Corporate Food Safety & Quality Manager. The role drives FSQ programs across multiple facilities, focusing on data analysis, supplier quality, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.

Strong cGMP experience and FDA regulatory knowledge are essential. The ideal candidate will lead FSQ initiatives, develop dashboards, manage supplier audits, and apply Six Sigma tools to improve metrics and cost of quality while fostering a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Nutrition, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience in food manufacturing within a cGMP environment.
• Strong understanding of FDA food regulations.
• Experience with Food Safety & Quality systems and manufacturing processes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects.
• Experience analyzing Food Safety & Quality data and presenting findings.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and Visio.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and cross-functionally.

Responsibilities

• Collect, analyze, and report Food Safety & Quality data from production and process improvement activities.
• Develop control charts, dashboards, reports, and other visual tools to monitor FSQ performance.
• Identify trends and opportunities for improvement across key FSQ metrics.
• Manage and update product and supplier specification sheets.
• Conduct supplier approvals and verification activities, including desk audits.
• Perform and/or coordinate on-site supplier audits.
• Apply Six Sigma methodologies to improve Food Safety & Quality metrics.
• Develop initiatives to reduce Cost of Quality.
• Utilize storyboards, diagrams, control charts, and other visual management tools.
• Support consumer feedback programs and investigations.
• Assist with state regulatory programs and compliance activities.
• Partner with plant management and employees to strengthen Food Safety & Quality culture.
• Support quality improvement initiatives across multiple manufacturing facilities.
• Utilize CAPA, Root Cause Analysis, 5 Whys, poka-yoke, PDCA, and other quality tools.
• Present FSQ data, trends, findings, and recommendations to leadership.
• Maintain knowledge of FDA requirements and applicable food safety regulations.
• Collaborate with plant and corporate Quality teams on continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain required FSMA-related credentials and pursue ongoing professional development.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Critical thinking

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Independent / self-starter

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Nutrition, or a related field

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Outlook

Visio

Job description

gpac is partnered with a well-established and growing pet food manufacturer seeking a Corporate Food Safety & Quality Manager to support Food Safety & Quality initiatives across multiple manufacturing facilities.

This is a corporate-level position with significant visibility and the opportunity to influence Food Safety & Quality programs across the organization. The role will focus on FSQ data analysis, supplier quality, regulatory compliance, continuous improvement, quality systems, and building a strong Food Safety & Quality culture throughout the manufacturing organization.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in food manufacturing within a cGMP environment, a strong understanding of FDA food regulations, and experience utilizing quality tools to identify problems, analyze trends, and drive measurable improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Collect, analyze, and report Food Safety & Quality data from production and process improvement activities
• Develop control charts, dashboards, reports, and other visual tools to monitor FSQ performance
• Identify trends and opportunities for improvement across key FSQ metrics
• Manage and update product and supplier specification sheets
• Conduct supplier approvals and verification activities, including desk audits
• Perform and/or coordinate on-site supplier audits
• Apply Six Sigma methodologies to improve Food Safety & Quality metrics
• Develop initiatives to reduce Cost of Quality
• Utilize storyboards, diagrams, control charts, and other visual management tools
• Support consumer feedback programs and investigations
• Assist with state regulatory programs and compliance activities
• Partner with plant management and employees to strengthen Food Safety & Quality culture
• Support quality improvement initiatives across multiple manufacturing facilities
• Utilize CAPA, Root Cause Analysis, 5 Whys, poka-yoke, PDCA, and other quality tools
• Present FSQ data, trends, findings, and recommendations to leadership
• Maintain knowledge of FDA requirements and applicable food safety regulations
• Collaborate with plant and corporate Quality teams on continuous improvement initiatives
• Maintain required FSMA-related credentials and pursue ongoing professional development

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Nutrition, or a related field
• Hands-on experience in food manufacturing within a cGMP environment
• Strong understanding of FDA food regulations
• Experience with Food Safety & Quality systems and manufacturing processes
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects
• Experience analyzing Food Safety & Quality data and presenting findings
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and Visio
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to present independently and collaboratively
• Strong integrity, judgment, accountability, and follow-through
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and cross-functionally

Preferred Experience

• Pet food or animal food manufacturing
• Multi-site manufacturing experience
• Supplier qualification and auditing
• FDA/FSMA compliance
• PCQI certification
• FSVP QI certification
• Six Sigma training or certification
• Control charting and statistical quality tools
• CAPA
• Root Cause Analysis / 5 Whys
• Poka-yoke
• PDCA
• MBWA
• Experience leading Food Safety & Quality culture initiatives

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and occasionally climb stairs or ladders
• Frequent use of a computer and repetitive tasks

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.