QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER - CENTRAL

KENT; Muscatine (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

KENT Nutrition Group, Inc. in Muscatine, Iowa, is seeking a quality leader to protect product integrity and drive continuous improvement across our Central Region facilities. You will partner with plant leadership and cross-functional teams to uphold high quality standards daily.

If you’re energized by solving complex challenges, leading through influence, and building systems that support operational excellence and long-term growth, we’d love to hear from you.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary QA contact for Central Region plants, guiding QC supervisors and partnering with Region Directors of Plant Operations.
• Ensure compliance with corporate quality standards, procedures, and regulatory requirements across the region.
• Lead investigations of out-of-specification results, drive corrective actions, and conduct internal audits to improve processes.
• Manage consumer complaint investigations and coordinate market retrieval activities when needed.
• Act as QA/QC liaison for contract manufacturers and support regional quality partnerships.
• Oversee quality control data review, training of QC personnel, and monitoring of key quality metrics.
• Support HACCP programs, third-party certifications, and feed/food safety initiatives; report safety concerns to Corporate Quality leadership.
• Lead quality studies and review monthly QC activities across multiple plants (Mason, MI; Logansport, IN; Beardstown, IL; Rockford, IL; Waterloo, IA).

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Excel/Word proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Food Science, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, or related field

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

KENT Nutrition Group, Inc., a member of the KENT WORLDWIDE™ family of companies, is looking for a quality leader who is passionate about protecting product integrity, driving continuous improvement, and making a meaningful impact across our manufacturing operations. In this role, you’ll help shape the quality culture across our Central Region facilities, partnering with plant leadership and cross‑functional teams to ensure the high standards our customers depend on every day. If you’re energized by solving complex challenges, leading through influence, and building systems that support both operational excellence and long‑term growth, we’d love to hear from you!

• This position is designed and intended to be performed in Muscatine, Iowa.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the primary QA contact for Central Region plants, providing guidance to QC supervisors and partnering with Region Directors of Plant Operations.
• Ensure compliance with corporate quality standards, procedures, and regulatory requirements across the region.
• Lead out‑of‑specification investigations, corrective actions, and internal audits to drive continuous improvement.
• Manage consumer complaint investigations and coordinate market retrieval activities when needed.
• Act as the QA/QC liaison for contract manufacturers and support regional quality partnerships.
• Oversee quality control data review, provide training to QC personnel, and monitor key quality performance metrics.
• Support HACCP programs, third‑party certifications, feed and food safety initiatives, and report potential safety concerns to Corporate Quality leadership.
• Lead quality, consistency, mixing efficiency, and sequencing studies while reviewing monthly QC activities for Mason, MI; Logansport, IN; Beardstown, IL; Rockford, IL; and Waterloo, IA.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Food Science, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, or a related field.
• 1 or more years of experience in quality assurance, quality control, plant operations, or a related manufacturing environment; 3+ years preferred.]
• Knowledge of animal feed manufacturing, feed safety, quality systems, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret quality, laboratory, and production data.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical information clearly.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.
• Working knowledge of cGMPs and HACCP/HARPC principles as they relate to animal feed manufacturing.
• Strong collaboration and relationship‑building skills; familiarity with the KNG Feed and Food Safety Plan and third‑party certification programs is a plus.

TRAVEL

• 25% - 50%

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.