FSQA Manager

Archer Meat Snacks; Vernon (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunity

Generous PTO

Employer-paid medical, dental, and视al

Employer-paid vision insurance

Job summary

Archer Meat Snacks in Vernon, CA, is seeking an FSQA Manager to lead food safety and quality initiatives in a USDA/FDA‑regulated facility, partnering with Operations, R&D, and other teams.

As SQF Practitioner and HACCP Coordinator, you will strengthen food safety culture, ensure regulatory and certification readiness, and drive continuous improvement across all QA programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or related field.
• 8+ years of progressive food safety/quality experience in USDA/FDA-regulated facilities.
• Hands‑on HACCP, FSMA, SQF/BRC programs and auditor coordination.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and management of food safety and quality programs in a USDA/FDA environment.
• Serve as SQF Practitioner and HACCP Coordinator with documentation and preventive controls.
• Ensure compliance with USDA, FDA FSMA, customer and third‑party certifications.
• Drive audits, corrective actions, and regulatory inspections with cross‑functional teams.
• Develop reporting, KPIs, and continuous improvement across QA and operations.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety culture

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field

Tools

HACCP

FSMA

SQF/BRC certifications

PCQI certification

Job description

FSQA Manager

QA Management Vernon, CA, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1097

Salary Range: $110,000.00 To $130,000.00 Annually

Job Title: FSQA Manager

Reports To: Director of FSQA

Compensation: $110,000 - $130,000 + bonus

Are you an experienced Food Safety & Quality leader who enjoys building strong programs, developing teams, and driving continuous improvement in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment? Archer Meat Snacks, the #1 jerky brand in the Natural and Specialty Channel, is seeking an FSQA Manager to lead food safety and quality initiatives at our Vernon, CA facility.

In this highly collaborative role, you’ll oversee food safety systems, product quality, regulatory compliance, and audit readiness while partnering closely with Operations, R&D, and other cross-functional teams. As the SQF Practitioner and HACCP Coordinator, you’ll play a key role in strengthening our food safety culture and ensuring our products consistently meet regulatory, customer, and certification standards.

We’re looking for a hands‑on leader who combines technical expertise with strong communication, problem‑solving, and people‑development skills. If you’re passionate about food safety, quality excellence, and making a meaningful impact in a growing CPG organization, we’d love to meet you.

What You’ll Own & Impact

Food Safety Programs & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing management of food safety and quality programs in a USDA/FDA-regulated manufacturing environment.
• Serve as the facility SQF Practitioner and HACCP Coordinator, maintaining effective HACCP plans, preventive controls, prerequisite programs, and required documentation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable USDA, FDA FSMA, customer, and third‑party certification requirements, including allergen management and sanitation controls.
• Proactively assess food safety risks, identify program gaps, and implement improvements that protect product integrity and strengthen regulatory readiness.

Quality Systems & Product Integrity

• Oversee quality standards and verification activities across incoming materials, production processes, and finished products.
• Maintain quality procedures, specifications, monitoring records, and corrective action systems to support consistent product safety and performance.
• Investigate quality issues, nonconformances, and customer complaints, driving root cause analysis and effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Partner with Operations to address product holds, deviations, and process improvements while maintaining strong food safety and quality controls.

Audits, Inspections & Certification

• Lead preparation for and execution of SQF, customer, regulatory, and other third‑party audits, including documentation, training, and follow‑up actions.
• Serve as a key point of contact for regulatory agencies and external auditors, communicating professionally and ensuring timely issue resolution.
• Monitor audit findings, corrective actions, and verification activities to ensure sustainable compliance and continuous improvement.
• Maintain accurate, inspection‑ready records and help strengthen site‑wide accountability for food safety and quality requirements.

Team Leadership & Food Safety Culture

• Provide day‑to‑day guidance, coaching, and development to FSQA team members while establishing clear performance expectations.
• Build strong food safety awareness across the facility through employee training, practical communication, and visible floor‑level leadership.
• Partner with plant leadership to reinforce good manufacturing practices, sanitation standards, and consistent execution of quality procedures.
• Promote an environment of ownership, accountability, and collaboration where teams identify and resolve risks proactively.
• Analyze audit results, nonconformances, quality trends, and other FSQA performance indicators to identify risks and improvement opportunities.
• Develop meaningful reporting and action plans that support stronger product quality, compliance, and operational decision‑making.
• Lead root cause investigations and cross‑functional improvement initiatives that reduce repeat issues and strengthen process consistency.
• Recommend practical enhancements to FSQA systems, training, documentation, and workflows as the business continues to grow.

Cross‑Functional Business Partnership

• Partner closely with R&D, Operations, Sales, Marketing, and third‑party partners to support product quality, customer requirements, and business initiatives.
• Provide FSQA guidance for product development, process changes, commercialization activities, and operational improvements.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to resolve quality concerns and maintain confidence in Archer’s products.
• Serve as a trusted technical partner who balances business needs with uncompromising food safety and regulatory standards.

What Sets You Apart

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive food safety and quality experience, including leadership responsibility within USDA/FDA‑regulated food or beverage facilities; meat processing experience preferred.
• Hands‑on expertise in HACCP, FDA FSMA, SQF/BRC certification standards, allergen management, and third‑party audit programs.
• Current HACCP and/or FSMA Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification.
• Demonstrated experience leading audits, supporting regulatory inspections, and resolving food safety and quality issues with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of root cause analysis, corrective actions, quality systems, and continuous improvement practices.
• Excellent communication, organization, and people‑leadership skills, with the ability to influence teams at all levels of a manufacturing operation.
• Hands‑on, solutions‑oriented leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, collaborative, and continuously evolving environment.

Why Join Archer Meat Snacks?

Impact: Help shape and elevate the food safety and quality programs that protect our products, customers, and growing brand.

Visibility: Partner with FSQA leadership and cross‑functional teams across Operations, R&D, Sales, Marketing, and other business functions.

Ownership: Lead critical food safety systems, audit readiness, team development, quality improvements, and continuous improvement initiatives at our Vernon facility.

Culture: Join an entrepreneurial, collaborative, and fast‑moving organization where your expertise and leadership make a measurable difference.

Benefits: Competitive compensation, bonus opportunity, generous PTO, and 100% employer‑paid medical, dental, and vision insurance.

To learn more about Archer Meat Snacks, visit www.archerjerky.com.

Archer Meat Snacks is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.