Quality Assurance Manager

Affinity Executive Search; Mettawa (IL); On-site; USD 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in the food manufacturing sector seeks a proactive Quality Manager to oversee Food Safety and Quality at their Indianapolis plant. This role involves leading a dedicated team, ensuring compliance with regulations, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. With significant growth potential and excellent benefits, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a thriving environment. Join a forward-thinking company that values quality and innovation, and take the next step in your career with this exciting opportunity.

Benefits

401K match (9%)

Strong benefits

Relocation support

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in Quality Assurance in Food or Pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Solid Leadership experience with a focus on Food Safety & Quality.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with internal policies and federal/state regulations.
• Lead HACCP, SQF, and FSMA programs and audits.
• Manage and mentor a team of QA professionals.

Skills

Leadership

Food Safety Compliance

Quality Assurance

HACCP

Continuous Improvement

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Food Science

Bachelor's Degree in Biology

Job description

Job description:

Quality Manager / Quality Assurance Manager / Quality Food Safety Manager

Position Summary

Our client, a well-respected multibillion-dollar food manufacturer with well-known, iconic brands, seeks a hands-on, energetic Quality Manager for a critical plant in Indianapolis, IN.

As a key member of the plant leadership team, youll oversee all aspects of Food Safety and Quality including regulatory compliance, continuous improvement, training, and team leadership.

You'll manage a team of 12 (2 direct, 10 indirect reports) and serve as the sites key liaison for audits, product quality, and professional support to Sales, R&D, and Operations on customer support.

This highly visible role offers significant growth potential, excellent benefits, and relocation support.

Location: Indianapolis, IN (Plant has approximately 330 employees).

Position reports to: Food Safety and Quality Director

Compensation: up to $120K base (Possible increase pending internal career level adjustment currently under consideration) + 9% 401K match + strong benefits + excellent relocation

Responsibilities:

• Food Safety & Quality Compliance: Ensure daily plant operations comply with all internal policies, customer requirements, and federal/state regulations (USDA, FDA, CFIA).
• Audit & Certification Leadership: Lead the plants HACCP, SQF, and FSMA programs. Serve as site liaison for regulatory and third-party audits and inspections.
• Team Leadership: Manage, mentor, and develop a team of QA professionals. Promote ownership of Food Safety & Quality throughout the facility.
• Training & Orientation: Deliver and maintain robust onboarding and annual training programs on GMPs, Food Safety, and Quality standards.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead and track performance on quality KPIs, including complaint reduction, audit readiness, and quality incident prevention. Own FS&Q pillar for continuous improvement systems.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner with Operations, Maintenance, R&D, and Sales to support production quality, resolve customer issues, and implement new product launches.
• Vendor Quality: Collaborate with Corporate QA to address supplier performance and drive corrective actions.
• Documentation & SOPs: Develop and maintain plant and lab SOPs. Manage the departmental budget.
• Sanitation & Environmental Monitoring: Ensure strong programs are in place for sanitation, pest control, and environmental monitoring.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in Food Science, Biology or related area.
• 7+ years of relevant experience in Quality Assurance in Food or Pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Solid Leadership experience.
• Excellent understanding of HACCP, GMPs, FSMA, SQF Code, Food Allergens, Microbiology and root cause analysis.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement.

Why is This a Great Opportunity:

• Join a F500 market leader!
• The business is growing.
• This plant has space to expand. (They removed the old equipment to allow for expansion).
• Indianapolis is a great location to live.
• Career growth opportunity!