QA Manager

Gate Gourmet; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Gate Gourmet is seeking a Quality Assurance professional to manage and improve food safety and quality engineering across operations. You will lead audits, drive corrective actions, and coordinate HARPC/PCQI activities while partnering with operations to ensure compliance with USDA/APHIS regulations and internal quality standards.

Ideal candidates have a strong background in HACCP, ServSafe, and quality system implementations, with at least 5 years in manufacturing QA, preferably in food

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food science, quality, technical or business related field.
• Minimum 5 years quality assurance experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably food manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Supports customer and regulatory audits in assigned facilities.
• Ensures HACCP compliance with production processes.
• Leads quality improvement projects and corrective actions.
• Maintains corrective action system and HARPC/PCQI practices.
• Prepares and analyzes quality metrics and reports for management.

Skills

Quality assurance

HACCP knowledge

Continuous improvement

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in food science/quality/technical or business

Tools

ServSafe certification

HACCP certification

HARPC training

Job description

We’re looking for motivated, engaged people to help make everyone’s journeys better. Position is responsible for food safety and quality engineering and control on processes supporting operation, system, policy and procedure auditing; leads quality improvement projects, drives defect prevention on flight attendant comments and detections. Acts as the primary business quality project manager for Corporate Quality Assurance requirements and regulations.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports all customer and regulatory audits within the responsible facilities
• Works side-by-side with Operation Managers to assure compliance to HACCP requirements are met
• Works as part of the corrective action team to address non-conformities related to product, process and service
• Executes monthly self-assessments on the elements of food safety
• Executes the required food safety related testing as defined in HACCP plan
• Plans for quality (capital, supplier quality, plant quality).
• Evaluates and reports on performance trends related to quality
• Manages Quality Engineering projects, including operative supportive functions
• Leads and monitors improvement projects as assigned
• Audits implementation of quality systems for effectiveness by verifying activities
• Responsible for maintaining and managing the corrective action system
• Monitors the accuracy and compliance of HACCP records as defined in the corporate procedures
• Reinforces quality awareness to the management and work staff
• Schedules and manages the daily activities and task of the sanitation porters (if defined as a responsibility)
• Manages continuous improvement projects in quality elements
• Plays a key role in implementing the business management system
• Implements the quality system detailed in the quality manual
• Champions quality improvement efforts and initiates problem solving efforts and assures implementation
• Drives prevention vs. detection of defects tracking key performance indicators and daily patrol of production areas
• Responsible to lead product defect investigations
• Responsible to lead investigations of alleged food poisoning, Hard-foreign and soft foreign objects
• Responsible to manage the compliance with USDA / APHIS regulations
• Responsible to manage food product suppliers of the unit including auditing of local suppliers
• Coordinates actions to prevent the occurrences of nonconformities to internal, Federal and State laws
• Maintains customer compliance resolution on defects including alleged food poisoning if needed
• Responsible for the identifying and maintaining of key performance metrics for the Quality organization
• Continuously improves plant procedures for monitoring and ensuring conformance to specifications for incoming raw materials as well as for finished products
• Acts as the primary liaison to Corporate QA Compliance Team
• Plays a key role in training and coaching of quality requirements to all levels in the business unit’s organization
• Responsible for safety, quality and compliance to customer specification
• Ensures optimum business processes to support full customer and regulatory compliance in terms of quality and food safety
• Stays attuned to and prepares adaptation to changes in customer, company and regulatory changes in requirements
• At times liaises with customers and regulatory agencies
• Responsible for performance evaluation, coaching, counseling and preparing corrective action for employees and liaises appropriately with HR and other support functions
• Completes Hazard Analysis and Risk Based Preventative Controls (HARPC) Preventative Controls for Human Food training and certification course to be a PCQI “Preventive Controls Qualified Individual” according to company policy.
• Completes all other company required training including but not limited to ServSafe Sanitation Manager Certification.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in food science, quality, technical or business related field from an accredited 4-year college or university required
• Work Experience: Minimum of 5 years quality assurance experience in a manufacturing environment, with preference in food manufacturing

Job Skills

Advanced technical knowledge in catering processes and design functions, manufacturing methods, inspection, statistical methods and quality auditing Knowledge of lean standard tools, TQM methodology Basic lean, six sigma knowledge, and continuous improvement understanding a plus Detail oriented Project management experience Strong organizational skills, able to prioritize responsibilities and multi-task

Technical Skills: (Certification, Licenses and Registration) ServeSafe certification preferred HACCP certified

Language / Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal skills, interact well with multiple departments as required Able to work with little supervision Excellent reading, writing, and oral communication skills Multi-lingual a plus

Job Dimensions

• Geographic Responsibility: US
• Type of Employment: Full time
• Travel %: 20%
• Exemption Classification: Exempt

Internal Relationships: External Relationships: Work Environment / Requirements of the Job: Regularly stands, bends, lifts and moves intermittently during shifts. Must be to lift, pull, push, and move products, equipment, and supplies daily. There may be physical discomfort due to temperature in production area, coolers, and freezers Budget / Revenue Responsibility: Organization Structure Direct Line Manager (Title): General Manager Dotted Line Manager (Title, if applicable): Sr. Compliance Manager Number of Direct Reports: Number of Dotted Line Reports: Estimated Total Size of Team: gategroup Competencies Required to be Successful in the Job: Thinking – Information Search and analysis & problem resolution skills Engaging – Understanding others, Team Leadership and Developing People Inspiring – Influencing and building relationships, Motivating and Inspiring, Communicating effectively Achieving – Delivering business results under pressure, Championing Performance Improvement and Customer Focus Demonstrated Values to be Successful in the Position Employees at gategroup are expected to live our Values of Excellence, Integrity, Passion and Accountability. To demonstrate these Values, we expect to observe the following from everyone: We treat each other with respect and we act with integrity We communicate and keep each other informed We put our heads together to problem solve and deliver excellence as a team We have passion for our work and we pay attention to the little details We foster an environment of accountability, take responsibility for our actions and learn from our mistakes We do what we say we will do, when we say we are going to do it We care about our coworkers, always taking an opportunity to make someone’s day better The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. gategroup is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status or other category under applicable law. For further information regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, copy and paste the following URL into your web browser: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf We anticipate that this job will close on: 10/30/2026 gategroup is the global leader in airline catering, retail-on-board and hospitality products and services. gategroup provides passengers with superior culinary and retail experiences, leveraging innovation and advanced technology solutions. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, gategroup delivers operational excellence through the most extensive catering network in the aviation industry, serving passengers from over 200 operating units in over 60 countries/territories across all continents. We work in an exciting industry – fast-paced and ever-changing. Industry trends and customer expectations are constantly evolving and it is critical that we are agile, innovative and ready for change - and our people are our driving force. We offer attractive opportunities to be part of this fast-paced and truly international working environment. For further information, please visit www.gategroup.com.