Quality Assurance Manager

Judge Direct Placement; New Market (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Judge Direct Placement is seeking a Quality Manager to oversee USDA-regulated quality programs in a food processing facility. You will lead QA staff, coordinate with USDA inspectors, and drive food safety initiatives across production and sanitation teams.

Ideal candidates hold a bachelor’s in a related field with 3–5+ years of USDA quality experience, strong HACCP knowledge, and proven leadership and communication skills to maintain compliance and drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, biology, or related field (preferred).
• 3–5+ years of quality or food safety experience in a USDA food processing environment.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, FSIS regulations, SSOPs, and GMPs.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain USDA, FSIS, HACCP, and food safety programs
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, customer, and internal quality requirements
• Lead and supervise quality assurance staff and inspectors
• Conduct routine plant inspections, audits, and pre-operational reviews
• Investigate quality and food safety issues and implement corrective actions
• Maintain and review quality documentation, records, and reports
• Coordinate with USDA inspectors and support regulatory inspections
• Collaborate with Production, Sanitation, and Maintenance teams
• Train employees on food safety, GMPs, and quality procedures

Skills

Quality management

Food safety

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in food science or related field

Job description

The Quality Manager is responsible for overseeing food safety and quality programs in a USDA-regulated food processing facility. This role ensures compliance with USDA, FSIS, HACCP, and company quality standards while supporting safe, consistent, and compliant production.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain USDA, FSIS, HACCP, and food safety programs
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, customer, and internal quality requirements
• Lead and supervise quality assurance staff and inspectors
• Conduct routine plant inspections, audits, and pre-operational reviews
• Investigate quality and food safety issues and implement corrective actions
• Maintain and review quality documentation, records, and reports
• Coordinate with USDA inspectors and support regulatory inspections
• Collaborate with Production, Sanitation, and Maintenance teams
• Train employees on food safety, GMPs, and quality procedures

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, biology, or related field preferred
• 3–5+ years of quality or food safety experience in a USDA food processing environment
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, FSIS regulations, SSOPs, and GMPs
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills

Working Conditions

• Food processing environment with exposure to temperature changes and plant operations
• Flexible schedule as needed to support production and inspections