FSQA Manager (1154452)

The Judge Group; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Judge Group is seeking an experienced FSQA Manager to lead food safety, quality control, sanitation, and regulatory programs at a Tampa facility. You will drive USDA-FSIS compliance and align with GFSI standards while managing a team of QA staff.

In this role you will act as the primary liaison to inspectors, oversee HACCP/HARPC, SSOPs, GMPs, and environmental monitoring, and lead corrective actions and recalls. Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Meat Science, Chemistry, or related field.
• 5+ years 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.

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.

Skills

FSQA leadership

Regulatory compliance

Team leadership

Quality assurance

Cross-functional collaboration

Statistical process control

Food safety knowledge

Education

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

Job description

Location

Tampa, FL

Salary

$75,000.00 USD Annually - $100,000.00 USD Annually

Description

Food manufacturing company in the Tampa, FL area is seeking an Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager to 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.