Quality Assurance Manager

Tech Observer; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Tech Observer is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to support the Senior QA Manager in ensuring that production and distribution activities meet or exceed quality, food safety, regulatory, and company standards. This role will also support continuous improvement across Quality Control and Quality Assurance programs.

The role emphasizes leading SQF and HACCP compliance, coordinating audits with USDA/FDA and third parties, and developing SOPs while guiding QA staff to maintain rigorous quality

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience managing Quality and Food Safety Operations, preferably within a sous-vide or food manufacturing environment.
• 2+ years of experience managing QA/QC staff.
• Strong knowledge of food quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and quality management systems.
• Experience with SQF, HACCP, BRC, USDA, FDA, and customer/third-party audits.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and improve SOPs related to food quality and food safety.
• Perform daily Quality Control activities and monitor production processes for regulatory compliance.
• Lead and maintain SQF food safety and quality programs.
• Ensure QA programs comply with SQF standards and remain effective through verification and validation.
• Support USDA, FDA, Health Department, customer, and third-party audits.
• Maintain and implement HACCP-based food safety plans.
• Perform release inspections of incoming materials, in-process products, and finished products.
• Support calibration and preventive maintenance programs.
• Investigate nonconformances, determine root causes, and implement corrective action plans.
• Investigate customer complaints and internal quality issues and follow up on corrective actions.
• Review production and quality records to ensure required corrective actions are completed.
• Organize QA team resources and ensure adequate coverage of all quality activities.
• Ensure plant operations comply with federal regulations, customer requirements, and BRC standards.
• Educate departments on food safety and quality requirements and conduct process audits to identify gaps.
• Prepare for and conduct customer and regulatory audits.
• Maintain written quality programs, policies, and HACCP documentation.
• Oversee prerequisite programs, including supplier approval, pest control, sanitation, environmental/product testing, allergens, and maintenance.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate Quality Control staff and provide coaching and guidance.
• Provide technical support to customers and Sales when required.
• Perform other duties assigned by Management.

Skills

Quality management

Regulatory compliance

SQF

HACCP

Audits

Food safety

USDA/FDA

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Quality Assurance Manager will support the Senior QA Manager in ensuring that production and distribution activities meet or exceed all quality, food safety, regulatory, and company standards. This role will also support continuous improvement across Quality Control and Quality Assurance programs.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• 3+ years of experience managing Quality and Food Safety Operations, preferably within a sous-vide or food manufacturing environment.
• 2+ years of experience managing QA/QC staff.
• Strong knowledge of food quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and quality management systems.
• Experience with SQF, HACCP, BRC, USDA, FDA, and customer/third-party audits.
• HACCP training required.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, implement, and improve SOPs related to food quality and food safety.
• Perform daily Quality Control activities and monitor production processes for regulatory compliance.
• Lead and maintain SQF food safety and quality programs.
• Ensure QA programs comply with SQF standards and remain effective through verification and validation.
• Support USDA, FDA, Health Department, customer, and third-party audits.
• Maintain and implement HACCP-based food safety plans.
• Perform release inspections of incoming materials, in-process products, and finished products.
• Support calibration and preventive maintenance programs.
• Investigate nonconformances, determine root causes, and implement corrective action plans.
• Investigate customer complaints and internal quality issues and follow up on corrective actions.
• Review production and quality records to ensure required corrective actions are completed.
• Organize QA team resources and ensure adequate coverage of all quality activities.
• Ensure plant operations comply with federal regulations, customer requirements, and BRC standards.
• Educate departments on food safety and quality requirements and conduct process audits to identify gaps.
• Prepare for and conduct customer and regulatory audits.
• Maintain written quality programs, policies, and HACCP documentation.
• Oversee prerequisite programs, including supplier approval, pest control, sanitation, environmental/product testing, allergens, and maintenance.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate Quality Control staff and provide coaching and guidance.
• Provide technical support to customers and Sales when required.
• Perform other duties assigned by Management.