QA & Food Safety Manager - USDA RTE Expert

CareersInFood.com; Americus (GA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Tamarack Foods is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to lead our QA program at the Americus, Georgia facility. You will oversee the QA team, monitor sanitation and production practices, and have the authority to halt lines when standards are not met.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on USDA-inspected RTE experience and PCQI/HACCP credentials, plus SQF Practitioner certification. You will collaborate with R&D, Regulatory, and Operations to sustain food safety and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience in USDA-inspected RTE food manufacturing.
• PCQI qualification and HACCP certification for food manufacturing.
• SQF Practitioner certification, or the ability to obtain it within 90 days.
• At least three years of food processing or manufacturing experience, including at least one year in a supervisory role.
• Strong knowledge of GMPs, sanitation, food safety systems, and quality data.
• An undergraduate degree in biological sciences, food technology, or a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the QA team and set clear expectations for food safety, product quality, documentation, and daily performance.
• Monitor incoming materials, formulations, production processes, facility conditions, and finished products against established standards.
• Exercise and delegate authority to hold product or stop production when food safety or quality requirements are not met.
• Maintain and improve HACCP, SQF, GMP, SSOP, and applicable FSMA programs and documentation.
• Verify that product specifications, process sheets, SOPs, USDA label approvals, and identity-preserved product requirements are followed.
• Oversee pre-operational and operational sanitation verification, pest control, and GMP audits.
• Lead identity-preserved programs and related audits, including gluten-free, hormone-free, and antibiotic-free claims where applicable. Serve as the primary contact for the Gluten Free Certification Organization.
• Partner with R&D, Technical Services, and Regulatory colleagues on changes to food safety plans, procedures, and product requirements.
• Train and coach QA employees, manage schedules and timecards, and address performance issues.
• Review QA measures and use findings to drive continuous improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

USDA inspec RTE

PCQI qualification

HACCP certification

SQF practitioner

Supervisory experience

GMP knowledge

Food safety data

Education

Undergraduate degree in biological sciences / related field

SQF Practitioner certification

Job description

Tamarack Foods is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to lead our QA program at the Americus, Georgia facility. You will oversee the QA team, monitor sanitation and production practices, and have the authority to halt lines when standards are not met.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on USDA-inspected RTE experience and PCQI/HACCP credentials, plus SQF Practitioner certification. You will collaborate with R&D, Regulatory, and Operations to sustain food safety and continuous improvement.