Quality and Safety Manager (1158922)

The Judge Group; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 115,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The Judge Group seeks a Quality & Safety Manager in Charlotte, NC to develop and maintain QA and safety programs across warehouse and distribution operations, with a strong focus on SQF compliance and regulatory requirements.

The ideal candidate will oversee QMS and SQF systems, manage audits, allergen control, sanitation, and KPI tracking, while collaborating with operations to improve accuracy and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Quality Management, Food Safety, Safety, Logistics, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in quality and safety roles within warehousing, logistics or food distribution.
• In-depth knowledge of SQF standards, HACCP, ISO, and OSHA regulations, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Certification in Quality or Safety (e.g., CQE, CQA, CSP) preferred.
• Certification in SQF Practitioner, HACCP, or related food safety programs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS) aligned with ISO standards and customer requirements.
• Maintain and continuously improve the SQF Food Safety Management System.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety regulations, including HACCP principles and SQF standards.
• Oversee allergen control, sanitation programs, and product traceability.
• Conduct internal audits and coordinate external audits to ensure compliance.
• Monitor KPIs related to food safety and quality performance; implement corrective actions promptly.
• Collaborate with operations to reduce errors, improve accuracy, and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Lead the development and execution of safety programs, including OSHA compliance.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement preventive measures.
• Investigate incidents, identify root causes, and drive corrective actions.
• Deliver safety training and promote a proactive safety culture.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and lead initiatives to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
• Support Lean and Six Sigma projects within the organization.
• Partner with operations, HR, and leadership teams to ensure alignment with company goals.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for quality and safety standards.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quality Management, Food Safety, Safety, Logistics, or related field

Job description

Location

Charlotte, NC

Salary

$115,000.00 USD Annually - $135,000.00 USD Annually

Job Title

Quality & Safety Manager

Reports To

TBD

Position Summary

The Quality & Safety Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining quality assurance and safety programs across all warehouse and distribution operations, with a strong focus on food safety compliance as required by Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification. This role ensures adherence to industry standards, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and safety excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Management

• Develop and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS) aligned with ISO standards and customer requirements.
• Maintain and continuously improve the SQF Food Safety Management System.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety regulations, including HACCP principles and SQF standards.
• Oversee allergen control, sanitation programs, and product traceability.
• Conduct internal audits and coordinate external audits to ensure compliance.
• Monitor KPIs related to food safety and quality performance; implement corrective actions promptly.
• Collaborate with operations to reduce errors, improve accuracy, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Safety Management

• Lead the development and execution of safety programs, including OSHA compliance.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement preventive measures.
• Investigate incidents, identify root causes, and drive corrective actions.
• Deliver safety training and promote a proactive safety culture.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify process improvement opportunities and lead initiatives to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
• Support Lean and Six Sigma projects within the organization.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Partner with operations, HR, and leadership teams to ensure alignment with company goals.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for quality and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Quality Management, Food Safety, Safety, Logistics, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in quality and safety roles within warehousing, logistics or food distribution.
• In-depth knowledge of SQF standards, HACCP, ISO, and OSHA regulations, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Certification in Quality or Safety (e.g., CQE, CQA, CSP) preferred.
• Certification in SQF Practitioner, HACCP, or related food safety programs preferred.

Company Core Values

Our Success Is Built On These Guiding Principles

• Teamwork: We collaborate to achieve shared goals and support each other.
• Quality: We deliver excellence in every process and product.
• Reliability: We keep our promises and ensure consistent performance.
• Flexibility: We adapt quickly to meet customer and operational needs.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Quality

• Customer order accuracy: ≥ 99.5%
• Internal audit compliance score: ≥ 95%
• SQF audit score: ≥ 95% compliance
• HACCP plan verification: 100% adherence
• Reduction in food safety non-conformances: 10% year-over-year
• Corrective action closure rate: 100% within 30 days
• Reduction in quality-related complaints: 10% year-over-year

Safety

• OSHA recordable incident rate:
• Near-miss reporting frequency: Increase by 20% annually
• Completion of mandatory safety training: 100% of employees
• Time to close safety corrective actions: ≤ 14 days

Continuous Improvement

• Number of process improvement projects completed: ≥ 4 per year
• Cost savings from quality/safety initiatives: Target $X annually
• Employee engagement in safety programs: ≥ 90% participation

The Ideal Candidate

The perfect candidate for this role is a strategic, hands-on leader who thrives in dynamic environments and is passionate about building a culture of quality and safety. They are a self-starter who can quickly assess current processes, identify gaps, and design standardized food safety systems that align with corporate goals and SQF certification requirements.

Key Attributes

• Proactive & Assertive: Takes initiative without waiting for direction and confidently drives change across all levels of the organization.
• Passionate About Quality & Safety: Demonstrates a deep commitment to maintaining the highest standards in food safety and workplace safety.
• Analytical & Detail-Oriented: Skilled at conducting risk assessments, audits, and root cause analyses to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.
• Process-Oriented: Experienced in developing and implementing standardized procedures that meet regulatory and customer requirements.
• Collaborative Leader: Builds strong relationships with cross-functional teams to gain buy-in and ensure successful implementation of programs.
• Adaptable & Flexible: Comfortable working in a fast-paced 3PL environment and adjusting strategies to meet evolving business needs.

Experience & Expertise

• Proven track record in food safety management, including SQF certification and HACCP program development.
• Strong knowledge of ISO standards, OSHA regulations, and best practices in quality and safety.
• Ability to lead change management initiatives and foster a culture of accountability.
• Excellent communication skills for training, influencing, and reporting at all organizational levels

Benefit

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance are available to qualified candidates who meet eligibility requirements.