Quality Assurance Manager

Kelly Science, Engineering, Technology & Telecom; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelly Science & Clinical is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager for a direct hire position with the Client in Brea, CA. The Client operates a central kitchen and bakery, with facilities in Brea and City of Industry, California.

In this role, you will manage food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance programs, ensuring the safety and quality of products across operations. You will lead a small quality team, support audits and inspections, and drive continuous improvement while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, or a related field; equivalent experience will also be considered.
• At least five years of experience in food safety and quality assurance, in food manufacturing, processed meat, bakery, and ready-to-eat product environments.
• Strong working knowledge of USDA FSIS and FDA regulations, the California Retail Food Code, FSMA, and GFSI standards.
• Bilingual proficiency in Chinese, Vietnamese, or Filipino is preferred.
• Experience preparing for and managing regulatory inspections, customer audits, and third-party certification audits.
• Proven leadership skills and experience managing teams in a dynamic food production environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with inspectors and handle regulatory inspections.
• Ability to complete the required three-month training period at the Client's Vancouver office, with monthly trips home.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and oversee FSQA programs that comply with Los Angeles County Public Health, the California Retail Food Code, FSMA, USDA FSIS, and other applicable regulations.
• Manage HACCP, GMP, sanitation, allergen control, traceability, and environmental monitoring programs.
• Lead preparation, execution, and follow-up for regulatory and third-party audits, including SQF, USDA FSIS, FDA, and local health authority audits, as applicable.
• Champion food safety and quality culture across all departments.
• Develop, validate, and manage the product traceability system to support effective product withdrawals or recalls.
• Establish, manage, and report on company KPIs related to food safety and quality.
• Prepare regular reports for senior management on FSQA system status, risks, and recommended resource allocations to achieve performance goals.
• Serve as the primary facility liaison during regulatory inspections, including FDA, USDA, CFIA, and local health authority inspections. Ensure prompt corrective actions and formally respond to notices of violation or non-compliance.
• Serve as the management representative for third-party certification audits, including GFSI standards such as SQF.
• Supervise 1–2 quality team members, providing coaching, training, and performance management.
• Investigate quality and food safety incidents, customer complaints, and regulatory non-conformances; conduct root cause analyses and implement corrective actions.
• Oversee document control and record maintenance, and ensure accurate, timely reporting of FSQA activities.
• Monitor daily operations for compliance with CCPs, temperature controls, labeling, product specifications, and other food safety and quality programs.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and PFD teams to integrate regulatory requirements into operations.
• Lead supplier approval and verification programs for raw materials, packaging materials, and finished goods.
• Manage compliance training programs and ensure staff proficiency in food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor changes to local, state, and federal food safety regulations to support ongoing compliance.

Skills

Food safety

Regulatory compliance

Audit management

Leadership

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science

Tools

USDA FSIS

FDA regulations

Job description

Kelly Science & Clinical is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager for a direct hire position with the Client in Brea, CA.

Salary: $90,000-120,000 depending on experience

Schedule: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

Overview

The Client operates a central kitchen and bakery, with facilities in Brea and City of Industry, California.

In this role, you will manage food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance programs, ensuring the safety and quality of products across operations. You will lead a small quality team, support audits and inspections, and drive continuous improvement while maintaining compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and standards. You will report to the FSQA Director, based in Canada, and work independently using sound judgment.

Work Location: The primary office is in Brea, Orange County. Initially, approximately 50% of your time will be spent on-site at the City of Industry facility. The position also requires a three-month training period at the Client's Vancouver office, with the flexibility to return home once a month.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and oversee FSQA programs that comply with Los Angeles County Public Health, the California Retail Food Code, FSMA, USDA FSIS, and other applicable regulations.
• Manage HACCP, GMP, sanitation, allergen control, traceability, and environmental monitoring programs.
• Lead preparation, execution, and follow-up for regulatory and third-party audits, including SQF, USDA FSIS, FDA, and local health authority audits, as applicable.
• Champion food safety and quality culture across all departments.
• Develop, validate, and manage the product traceability system to support effective product withdrawals or recalls.
• Establish, manage, and report on company KPIs related to food safety and quality.
• Prepare regular reports for senior management on FSQA system status, risks, and recommended resource allocations to achieve performance goals.
• Serve as the primary facility liaison during regulatory inspections, including FDA, USDA, CFIA, and local health authority inspections. Ensure prompt corrective actions and formally respond to notices of violation or non-compliance.
• Serve as the management representative for third-party certification audits, including GFSI standards such as SQF.
• Supervise 1–2 quality team members, providing coaching, training, and performance management.
• Investigate quality and food safety incidents, customer complaints, and regulatory non-conformances; conduct root cause analyses and implement corrective actions.
• Oversee document control and record maintenance, and ensure accurate, timely reporting of FSQA activities.
• Monitor daily operations for compliance with CCPs, temperature controls, labeling, product specifications, and other food safety and quality programs.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and PFD teams to integrate regulatory requirements into operations.
• Lead supplier approval and verification programs for raw materials, packaging materials, and finished goods.
• Manage compliance training programs and ensure staff proficiency in food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor changes to local, state, and federal food safety regulations to support ongoing compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, or a related field; equivalent experience will also be considered.
• At least five years of experience in food safety and quality assurance, in food manufacturing, processed meat, bakery, and ready-to-eat product environments.
• Strong working knowledge of USDA FSIS and FDA regulations, the California Retail Food Code, FSMA, and GFSI standards.
• Bilingual proficiency in Chinese, Vietnamese, or Filipino is preferred.
• Experience preparing for and managing regulatory inspections, customer audits, and third-party certification audits.
• Proven leadership skills and experience managing teams in a dynamic food production environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with inspectors and handle regulatory inspections.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis, data-driven decision-making, and corrective action implementation.
• Ability to work autonomously and exercise independent judgment while reporting to the FSQA Director.
• Strong communication and training skills.
• Ability to complete the required three-month training period at the Client's Vancouver office, with monthly trips home.