Quality Assurance Manager

Utz Brands, Inc.; Kings Mountain (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

Employer-matched 401(k)

Profit sharing

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Utz Quality Foods in Kings Mountain, NC is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to oversee quality and food safety programs at the site and lead the on-site QA lab and team.

You will manage QA processes, coordinate audits, and ensure regulatory compliance while partnering with leadership to drive continuous improvement and a strong food-safety culture.

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years’ experience in food manufacturing.
• Knowledge of USDA regulations and food manufacturing compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated success building and strengthening food safety cultures.
• Experience managing and working in cross functional teams.
• Leadership experience in preparing for and leading teams through third party audits.
• Experience integrating statistical process control methods.
• Able to balance priorities and manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and implement Utz quality and food safety programs at the site.
• Manage a team including QA Supervisor and QA Lab Technicians across all shifts.
• Lead the Food Safety Team and act as SQF practitioner, HACCP coordinator, FSMA expert.
• Review quality data and respond to out of specification results or trends.
• Collaborate with plant leadership to foster a strong quality culture and safety.

Skills

Food manufacturing experience

USDA regulations knowledge

Leadership in audits

Cross-functional teamwork

Statistical process control

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Certification in HACCP/PCQI (preferred)

Job description

At Utz, we're passionate about creating delicious snacks that consumers know and love. With a rich heritage spanning over 100 years and a growing portfolio of iconic brands including Utz®, Zapp's®, Tim's Cascade®, Boulder Canyon®, and On The Border®, we're on a mission to become the fastest-growing pure-play snack food company of scale in the U.S.

Behind every great snack is an unwavering commitment to quality and food safety. That's where you come in.

Utz Quality Foods is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to join our team in King’s Mountain, NC. This role is responsible for oversight and implementation of the Utz quality and food safety programs at the site. The individual will drive all aspects of food safety and quality systems, regulatory requirements, industry audits, product identity, disposition of non-conforming product, and standards adherence within the operation. Role includes management of the on-site QA laboratory including direct reports, routine sampling and testing, product evaluation, retain samples, equipment maintenance and calibration, and product qualification. This is a full-time, exempt position reporting directly to the QA Director.

What You'll Do

• Manage a team of direct reports including a QA Supervisor and QA Lab Technicians across all shifts.
• Supports plant management in resolving non-conforming product or compliance issues.
• Assists in development and implementation of QA systems where needed; supports R&D functions before, during, and after commercialization.
• Responsible for lab testing methods and lab equipment data. Reviews quality and food safety data and responds appropriately to out of specification results or trends.
• Works closely with facility leadership to foster a positive quality and food safety culture and support personnel safety and continuous improvement efforts.
• Serves as SQF practitioner, HACCP coordinator, and FSMA expert for the facility; leads a cross-functional Food Safety Team.
• Manages the development, implementation and training of food safety and regulatory programs.
• Oversite of the SQF program including but not limited to adherence to SQF code requirements, document and record management, monthly leadership meetings, verification, and validation activities.
• Works with management and fellow associates to ensure adherence to food safety programs.
• Escalates food safety and quality issues to Utz leadership as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned that will impact and support the overall outcome of the company and department objectives.
• Acts as the liaison between USDA and production management. Participates in weekly USDA meetings.
• Monitor and manage the establishment’s environmental swabbing and test and hold program.
• Responds to USDA Non-Compliance reports on behalf of the plant.

Required Qualifications

What We’re Looking For:

• Requires 3 to 5 years’ experience in food manufacturing; Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of USDA regulations and food manufacturing compliance requirements
• Demonstrated success building and strengthening food safety cultures
• Experience managing and working in cross functional teams
• Leadership experience in preparing for and leading teams through third party audits.
• Experience integrating statistical process control methods
• Able to balance priorities and manage multiple projects on an on-going basis
• Able to effectively listen, communicate and interface across all organizational levels
• Able to maximize teamwork philosophies and achievements

Preferred Qualifications

• HACCP and/or PCQI Certification
• SQF Practitioner Certification

External Recruitment Process

• Easy Application (5 mins): Introduce yourself and answer a few key questions to get started.
• Engaging Chat Interview (20-25 mins): Share your experiences in an online chat, highlighting how your values align with ours.
• Live Interview: Selected candidates will meet with the hiring manager to explore their alignment with the team and overall Utz company culture.

Why Utz?

We believe in taking care of our people. Our benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Employer-matched 401(k)
• Profit sharing, bonus plan, employee stock purchase plans
• Career growth opportunities in a supportive, inclusive environment

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.