Quality Assurance Manager - Acorn

Farmer Focus; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

weekly payroll

paid time off and sick leave

semi-subsidized medical coverage

dental and vision plan options

401(k) plan with company match

education reimbursement opportunities

employee assistance programs (EAP)

internal learning, development, and

career growth programs

Job summary

Farmer Focus is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to lead all plant food safety and quality assurance functions, ensuring products meet USDA, FSIS, FSMA, and internal standards. You will liaison with Sales, Operations, R&D, and Supply Chain, manage FSQA staff and budgets, and drive audits and corrective actions.

The role emphasizes developing and maintaining the Food Safety Plan, HACCP/GMP adherence, and allergen controls, with travel to multiple locations as needed.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Poultry Science, or related field required.
• 4+ years of experience in food safety, QA, or plant leadership roles.
• HACCP certification preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day FSQA functions for the facility, including 1st and 2nd processing.
• Lead and develop the FSQA team through coaching, training, and mentoring.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical skills

Coaching & mentoring

Education

B.S./B.A. in Food Science or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

UltiPro

Workday

Job description

Job Title:

Quality Assurance Manager

Department:

Quality Assurance

Reports To:

Head of Quality Assurance

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Location:

Acorn

Work Arrangement:

Onsite

Shift / Schedule:

1st shift, Flexible schedule based on business and facility needs

Travel Requirements:

Ability to travel to multiple plant locations up to 15–20% of the time

Employment Type:

Full-time

Role Overview / Purpose and Scope

The Quality Assurance Manager provides leadership and direction for all plant food safety and quality assurance functions in support of the company’s food safety goals. This role ensures all products produced meet or exceed customer, regulatory, and company requirements related to food safety and quality. The QA Manager serves as a key liaison between the USDA and internal departments, including Sales, Operations, R&D, and Supply Chain, and is responsible for managing FSQA personnel, departmental budgets, audits, corrective actions, and ongoing food safety program compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day FSQA functions for the facility, including 1st and 2nd processing.
• Implement robust quality control processes, conduct inspections, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead and manage the FSQA team by providing guidance, training, coaching, and mentoring to achieve departmental objectives.
• Oversee staffing, overtime management, and budget allocation for the FSQA department.
• Conduct regular inspections and audits of production processes, raw materials, and finished products to identify and address quality issues or failures.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Operations, R&D, and Supply Chain, to resolve quality-related concerns and implement corrective actions.
• Engage proactively with customer and consumer feedback, conduct root cause analysis, and implement effective preventive measures.
• Oversee FSQA data handling, analysis, and reporting processes.
• Contribute to the development and execution of food safety and quality programs that support operational excellence, customer satisfaction, financial performance, and market leadership.
• Develop and maintain the facility Food Safety Plan.
• Ensure HACCP, GMPs, sanitation preventive controls, supply chain preventive controls, and all other prerequisite food safety standards are met according to USDA, FSIS, FSMA, and corporate requirements.
• Manage the Allergen Preventive Controls Program, including accurate allergen labeling on finished food products and prevention of allergen cross-contact.
• Meet with vendors, customers, quality representatives, and company personnel to discuss and resolve quality concerns as required.
• Revise and update the quality control manual to incorporate statistical control programs.
• Represent the FSQA function in meetings and complete other duties as assigned.

Compensation:

$110,000 - $130,000

Benefits:

• weekly payroll
• paid time off and sick leave
• semi-subsidized medical coverage
• dental and vision plan options
• a 401(k) plan with company match
• education reimbursement opportunities
• employee assistance programs (EAP)
• internal learning, development, and career growth programs.

Qualifications

• B.S. or B.A. degree, or equivalent, in Food Science, Meat Science, Poultry Science, or a related field required.
• 4+ years of relevant experience in a comparable food safety, quality assurance, or plant leadership position.
• HACCP certification preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to identify, investigate, and resolve quality issues.
• Demonstrated cross-functional team leadership skills, including the ability to coach, mentor, and develop team members.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, UltiPro, and Workday.
• Knowledge of USDA, FSIS, FSMA, HACCP, GMP, sanitation preventive controls, supply chain preventive controls, and allergen preventive controls requirements preferred.
• New team members must be able to pass a drug, alcohol and background screening post-offer and prior to the start of their employment.
• The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of their third day of work.

Work Environment, Physical Demands, and Travel

The Quality Assurance Manager must be able to work in a variety of settings, including the office, outside grounds, and the plant production floor. This role may be exposed to varying plant conditions, including cold areas, warm areas, chemicals, and other site‑specific conditions. The position requires the ability to travel to multiple plant locations up to 15–20% of the time. This position does not have an application deadline. Farmer Focus will recruit until the role is filled.

About Farmer Focus

Farmer Focus exists to promote and protect generational family farms by shifting farm-level decision-making and chicken ownership back to farmers and empowering them to farm the way they know is best. We are committed to producing 100% organic and humanely raised chicken that is better for people, the planet, and animals. Our culture is grounded in servant leadership and guided by our CARES values: Community, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Stewardship. Our top priorities are people, safety, and quality. At Farmer Focus, our vision is to disrupt the status quo by creating bold opportunities for people who demand more and deserve better.

Farmer Focus es una empresa dedicada a las personas, los granjeros que crían para nosotros y a los miembros del equipo que trabajan en nuestras instalaciones con tecnología de última generación. Ya sea usted un trabajador general de nuestra línea de pechuga o un ejecutivo, estamos comprometidos a crear un lugar de trabajo que valore a nuestra gente y ofrezca a todos la oportunidad de crecer y prosperar. Operamos en base a nuestros valores Farmer Focus CARES: Comunidad, Responsabilidad, Respeto, Excelencia y Mayordomía. Mayormente planificamos nuestros horarios evitando trabajar los sábados. No realizamos producción los domingos. Únase a nosotros en nuestra misión de proteger las granjas familiares generacionales. ¡Esperamos trabajar con usted!

EEO, including disability/vets

Farmer Focus is a company dedicated to people, the farmers who grow for us and our team members who work in our state‑of‑the‑art facilities.Whether a general laborer on our breast debone line or an executive, we are committed to creating a workplace that values all our people and offers everyone a chance to grow and thrive.We operate from our Farmer Focus CARES values: Community, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Stewardship. We plan our work schedules to avoid most Saturday work.We do not run production on Sundays. Join us in our mission to protect generational family farms. We look forward to working with you!