Quality Assurance Manager

PRAVI Executive Search; Allenwood (PA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional growth within a PE-backed company

International experience with exposure to Italian culture

Job summary

A food manufacturing company is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to oversee microbiological, chemical, and physical testing programs for their new U.S. facility in Pennsylvania. This role encompasses ensuring the implementation and continuous improvement of quality procedures within the plant. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree and advanced knowledge of HACCP and food safety standards. A pivotal opportunity for professional growth within an international team focused on operational excellence awaits you.

Qualifications

• Experience with regulatory inspections and third-party audits.
• Knowledge of allergen management and environmental monitoring.
• Strong communication skills for cross-functional leadership.

Responsibilities

• Oversee microbiological and analytical testing programs.
• Maintain the facility's Food Safety Plan.
• Lead daily operations of the Quality Assurance department.
• Ensure audit readiness for food safety certification requirements.
• Review quality data for trends and corrective actions.

Skills

Advanced knowledge of HACCP

FSMA Preventive Controls

GMP knowledge

Food microbiology expertise

Data interpretation skills

Leadership abilities

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

QMS platforms

Job description

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

Job Description: Quality Assurance Manager - Food Manufacturing (Start-up Phase)

Department: Operations

Reports to: Plant Manager

Il Pastaio is a leading Italian manufacturer of premium potato-based gnocchi and fresh pasta, founded in 1983. With three production plants in Italy—including one dedicated to gluten-free products—the company serves both private label and own-brand markets under labels such as Il Pastaio, Patarò, and Patagnocco. The company is renowned for its flexibility, quality, and constant innovation, with a strong R&D focus, certifications (gluten-free, organic), and an annual production capacity of approximately 90,000 kg through 11 production lines.

Backed since May 2022 by Riverside Europe (a Private Equity firm), Il Pastaio is embarking on international growth, including the acquisition of Canuti Tradizione Italiana in Rimini.

U.S. Expansion

Il Pastaio is currently developing its first North American manufacturing facility in Allenwood, Pennsylvania—a 71,300 sq ft plant in the Great Stream Commons business park, part of a $12.5M investment expected to create around 75 jobs in Union County. The site is located in a Keystone Opportunity Zone.

Role Overview

The Quality Manager is responsible for overseeing microbiological, chemical, and physical testing programs; validating sanitation and allergen controls; and managing the plant’s food safety and quality management systems. This role ensures that all quality procedures are implemented, maintained, and continuously improved.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the facility’s Food Safety Plan (FSP) including hazard analysis, CCPs, preventive controls, allergen management, environmental monitoring, and recall readiness
• Lead daily operations of the Quality Assurance department including in-process inspections, finished product evaluation, hold/release decisions, and COA verification
• Oversee and validate microbiological and analytical testing for raw materials, environmental swabs, water samples, and finished goods
• Implement and maintain robust systems for traceability, lot tracking, and product recall
• Ensure the facility is audit-ready at all times to meet government, customer, and global food safety certification requirements (SQF, BRCGS)
• Review quality data to identify trends and lead corrective and preventive actions using structured root-cause analysis
• Review and approve raw material specifications, label claims, formulation changes, and change controls in collaboration with R&D and Regulatory Affairs
• Partner with Sanitation and Maintenance to verify hygienic design, sanitation effectiveness, and allergen control validation
• Develop and execute internal GMP audit programs, foreign material controls, and zone-based environmental monitoring
• Train plant personnel on FSMA, HACCP, GMPs, CCP monitoring, and product safety fundamentals

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Advanced knowledge of HACCP, FSMA Preventive Controls, GMPs, and GFSI standards (SQF/BRC)
• Regulatory inspections and third-party audit preparedness experience
• Competency in food microbiology, sanitation chemistry, and environmental monitoring programs
• Strong ability to interpret lab data, identify trends, and translate them into operational improvements
• Proficiency in QMS platforms, Microsoft Excel, and statistical tools
• Effective cross-functional leadership and capability development across QA and operations

What We Offer

• A pivotal role in launching our first U.S. facility
• International experience with exposure to Italian culture, values, and food manufacturing excellence
• Professional growth within a PE-backed international company
• A people-focused culture committed to operational excellence and innovation