Quality Assurance Manager

Watershed Foods; Gridley (IL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits (PPO or HSA)

Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Disability

401K with company match

Holidays and PTO

Tuition Reimbursement

Uniform and Boots provided

Employee Assistance Program

Volunteer/Community service days

Bonus/referral incentives

Job summary

Watershed Foods in Gridley, IL is seeking a Management-level QA leader to oversee the Quality Assurance Department, ensuring food safety, quality, and compliance with GFSI and customer requirements. This role drives corrective actions, environmental monitoring, and audits while coordinating staff training and documentation.

The position requires a BS in a relevant field or equivalent QA experience, PCQI/SQF certifications, and proven managerial capability across multiple shifts.

Qualifications

• BS degree preferred in Biology, Microbiology, Food Science or 5+ years in QA/Quality Control.
• SQF Practitioner Certification or willingness to obtain within 6 months.
• PCQI certification or willingness to obtain within 6 months.
• Managerial experience overseeing a department across multiple shifts.
• Strong knowledge of GFSI schemes and food certifications.
• Experience with quality tools, trend reporting, SPC and regulatory guidelines.
• Knowledge of Food Defense, recalls, and crisis management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily activities and staffing of the QA Department.
• Ensure QA processes meet food safety and quality standards.
• Lead internal audits and CAPA closure within timelines.
• Coordinate testing for water, air, allergens; supervise EMP.
• Prepare quality docs and reports from data trends.
• Respond to customer quality issues within stated timelines.
• Collaborate with Operations on continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support external audits for certifications and customer compliance.
• Act as backup to VP of Quality for recall and defense duties.

Skills

Leadership

Quality assurance

GFSI knowledge

PCQI knowledge

SQF knowledge

Communication

ERP systems

Education

BS in Biology / Microbiology / Food Science

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Outlook

ERP systems

Job description

Job Details: Level: Management, Job Location: Gridley, IL - Gridley, IL 61744, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $115,000.00 - $135,000.00 Salary, Job Summary: Oversee the daily activities of the Quality Assurance Department and staff, monitor and ensure food manufacturing processes meet rigorous food safety and quality standards and hygiene practices. Provide support to customers and internal groups to ensure that food safety and quality documentation and programs comply with GFSI, identity-preserved certifications, and customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the daily activities and schedule of the Quality Assurance Department, ensuring adequate coverage per shift and hold team members accountable by training, coaching, and disciplining as necessary.
• Ensure that the Quality Assurance Department is properly organized, staffed, and trained to meet and achieve department standards and goals.
• Manage the execution of food safety and quality management systems, processes, and procedures.
• Ensure all quality checks are completed, and appropriate corrective actions are taken for non-conformance or non-compliance issues.
• Conduct PCQI reviews of Production, Sanitation, and QA records at minimum within 7 business days.
• Identify and analyze Non-Conforming Product and Equipment issues to include reporting, tracking, trending, disposition, and vendor corrective actions. Finalize QA Hold investigation and dispositions.
• Oversee Environmental Monitoring Program and EMP member to execute regulatory, customer, and 3rd party requirements.
• Provide training and support to Quality Assurance and Production staff as appropriate on systems, policies, procedures, and core processes.
• Support coordination of testing for water, environmental air, compressed air, and allergens per schedule. .
• Lead the Internal Auditing Team and oversee corrective and preventative action responses (CAPA) and investigations. Close corrective actions within 15 business days with support from designated individuals.
• Prepare quality documentation and reports by collecting, analyzing, and trending data for analysis.
• Support the investigation of customer complaints or reported quality issues, tracking, and trending. Initial responses should be provided within 24 hours and completion of investigation within 5 business days.
• Communicate food safety and quality issues to Operations and Management in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with Operations and other departments on continuous improvement initiatives, providing information relevant to food safety and quality standards.
• Participate in external quality audits for certification and customer compliance.
• In the absence of this position, the FSQA Coordinator or VP of Quality serves as back-up.
• Serves as a backup to VP Of Quality as Recall Coordinator and Food Defense Coordinator.

Skills & Qualifications

• BS degree preferred in Biology, Microbiology, Food Science and/or 5+ years in Quality Assurance or
• Quality Control role.
• SQF Practitioner Certification or willing to obtain once hired in 6 months
• PCQI certification or willing to obtain in 6 months once hired
• Managerial experience is a must; this has a larger department that spans multiple shift
• Must be able to execute expectations, hold others accountable, and willingness to be a supportive leader
• Strong knowledge of and experience with GFSI schemes and food certifications.
• Knowledge of quality tools, quality trend reporting, Statistical Process Controls, and regulatory and compliance guidelines.
• In-depth knowledge of Food Defense & Food Fraud mitigation, recall coordination, and crisis management.
• Adept at working in a fast-paced organization with on-going, new, and developmental projects.
• Highly Organized and able to advance multiple projects at one time.
• Strong written communication and reporting.
• History of collaborative relationships with numerous internal and external partners while driving toward results.
• Attentive to details and committed to accuracy.
• Maintain working knowledge of existing and emerging regulations, international standards, consensus standards, and guidance documents.
• Motivated to seek answers through research.
• Highly proficient using MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and ERP systems.

Benefits

• PPO or HSA medical benefits with Employer Contributions.
• Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Disability insurance.
• 401K with a competitive company match.
• 8 Holidays, Vacation accrual, PTO program, Parental Leave.
• Attendance, Safety, Service Awards.
• Tuition Reimbursement Program.
• Uniform and Boots provision.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Chaplain Program.
• Smart Dollar.
• Company Events and Luncheons.
• Paid Volunteer Days.
• Referral bonuses.