QA Manager - Milk

Safeway; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages weekly

Earned wage access via Stream

Associate discounts

Medical, Dental, 401k and more

Paid time off

Training and career development

Inclusive work environment

Job summary

Albertsons Companies is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to lead the site's Food Safety, Quality and Regulatory Compliance. You will drive the FSQMS, ensuring audit readiness and regulatory compliance while partnering with Operations, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Product Development and Commercial teams to mitigate risk and enable growth.

The role requires 5+ years in quality leadership, SQF/HACCP expertise, and a collaborative approach to drive continuous improvement and a strong food-safety

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food science, microbiology, or related field.
• 5+ years leading Quality or Food Safety initiatives.
• Deep expertise in SQF, HACCP, and audit management.
• Track record of cross-functional initiatives and stakeholder influence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously improve the site FSQMS to ensure audit readiness.
• Serve as primary contact for audits and lead inspections and corrective actions.
• Make final decisions on product release, holds, deviations and disposition.
• Develop and mentor the QA team with strong accountability and onboarding.
• Establish KPIs and use data to drive risk reduction and continuous improvement.
• Lead supplier quality programs and manage customer complaint investigations.
• Partner with R&D and cross-functionally support new product launches.
• Embed a proactive food safety culture across the plant.
• Collaborate with Operations to improve process capability and quality.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decision making

Audit management

Education

Bachelor's degree in food science or related discipline

Tools

SQF

HACCP

PCQI certification

BRC/SQF Practitioner

Videojet labeling familiarity

Job description

Why choose us?

Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Join us for an exciting opportunity at Albertsons Companies, where innovation and customer service go hand‑in‑hand! At Albertsons Companies, we are looking for someone who’s not just seeking a job, but someone who wants to make an impact. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to lead, innovate, and contribute to the growth of a company that values great service and lasting customer relationships. This position offers the chance to work in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment that’s constantly evolving.

Position Overview

The Quality Assurance Manager serves as the site leader for Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory Compliance, accountable for protecting consumers, ensuring brand integrity, and enabling business growth. This role leads and continuously improves the site’s Food Safety & Quality Management System (FSQMS) to meet and exceed FDA, SQF (GFSI), and customer requirements. The QA Manager partners cross‑functionally with Operations, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Product Development, and Commercial teams to mitigate risk, drive operational excellence, and support innovation and commercialization. This position plays a critical leadership role in fostering a proactive food safety culture, leveraging data and continuous improvement tools to enhance product quality, process capability, and regulatory readiness.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead Food Safety & Quality Systems: Own and continuously improve the site FSQMS (HACCP, FSMA/Preventive Controls, GMPs, SQF) to ensure audit readiness and full compliance.
• Regulatory & Audit Leadership: Serve as primary contact for State, FDA, third‑party, and customer audits; lead inspections, responses, and corrective action closure.
• Product Safety Authority: Make final decisions on product release, holds, deviations, and disposition; oversee lab, environmental, and microbiological programs.
• Quality Team Leadership: Develop and lead the QA team through effective mentorship, clear accountability, strategic hiring, structured onboarding and ongoing capability development.
• Data‑Driven Improvement: Establish KPIs and leverage data to drive risk reduction, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
• Supplier & Customer Quality: Lead supplier quality programs and own customer complaint management, including investigation and trend analysis.
• Commercialization & Change Management: Partner with R&D and cross‑functionally teams to support new product launches and manage formulation, labeling, and process changes.
• People Leadership & Culture: Develop and lead the QA team while embedding a strong food safety and quality culture across the plant.
• Operational Partnership: Collaborate with Operations to improve process capability, reduce waste, and ensure consistent product quality.

We Are Looking For Candidates Who Possess The Following

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, or related discipline
• 5 plus years of progressive experience in Quality or Food Safety leadership
• Deep expertise in SQF, HACCP, and audit management
• Demonstrated success in leading cross‑functional initiatives, driving changeand influencing stakeholders

Preferred

• BRC/SQF Practitioner and/or PCQI certification
• Experience in beverage manufacturing
• Familiarity with labeling systems and automated printing (e.g., Videojet)

Work Environment

• Manufacturing environments
• Flexibility to support audits, inspections, and business‑critical activities

We Also Provide a Variety Of Benefits Including

• Competitive wages paid weekly
• Access to up to 50% of your earned wages before payday, via our partnership with Stream
• Associate discounts
• Health and financial well‑being benefits for eligible associates (Medical, Dental, 401k and more!)
• Time off (vacation, holidays, sick pay). For eligibility requirements please visit myACI Benefits
• Leaders invested in your training, career growth and development
• An inclusive work environment with talented colleagues who reflect the communities we serve