Quality Assurance Manager – Food & Beverage

Blue Signal Search; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus potential

Full health benefits

401(k) match

Generous PTO

Job summary

A leading food & beverage company in Indianapolis seeks a Quality Assurance Manager to oversee all food safety and quality programs. This role involves developing food safety systems, leading audit readiness, and mentoring a high-performance QA team. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in food science or related fields with 5+ years in QA leadership. The position offers competitive salary, bonus potential, and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive QA/Food Safety leadership in a USDA or FDA-regulated environment.
• Demonstrated success implementing and maintaining SQF or equivalent certifications.
• PCQI, HACCP, or related certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and improve food safety systems.
• Lead audit readiness and liaise with regulatory bodies.
• Build and engage a high-performance QA team.

Skills

Food safety systems

Leadership in QA/Food Safety

Lean/Six Sigma tools

Customer audit management

Regulatory agency representation

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, or related discipline

Tools

GFSI standards

SQF certifications

Job description

Quality Assurance Manager – Food & Beverage

Location: On-site, Indianapolis, IN

Join a rapidly expanding, better-for-you snack manufacturer whose premium chocolate and confectionery brands are delighting consumers across North America. As the site’s Quality Assurance Manager, you will own all food safety and quality programs, champion a culture of operational excellence, and help scale production to meet accelerating demand. This is a high‑visibility role with the resources of a well-funded parent company and the agility of a growth‑stage environment—perfect for a leader who is equal parts strategist, coach, and hands‑on problem‑solver.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve GFSI‑benchmarked food safety systems (SQF, HACCP, PCQI) and related certifications (Organic, Non‑GMO, Kosher, Vegan, Fair‑Trade).
• Lead on‑site audit readiness and serve as primary liaison for regulatory bodies, third‑party auditors, and key customers.
• Build, mentor, and engage a high‑performance QA & Sanitation team; set clear KPIs around yield, waste, and consumer complaint reduction.
• Own the plant’s quality budget and direct capital projects for new inspection, testing, and sanitation technologies.
• Drive Lean and Six Sigma initiatives to enhance process capability and foster a data‑driven quality culture.
• Partner with R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, and EHS to ensure raw material integrity, robust traceability, and effective corrective‑action closure.
• Champion cross‑functional training on food safety, crisis management, and continuous improvement best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of progressive QA / Food Safety leadership within a USDA or FDA‑regulated food or beverage plant.
• Demonstrated success implementing and maintaining SQF or equivalent GFSI schemes.
• PCQI, HACCP, or related certification strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of Lean / Six Sigma tools; proven track record driving CI projects to measurable results.
• Experience managing customer audits and acting as company representative to regulatory agencies.
• Inspiring, servant‑leadership style with the ability to influence at all organizational levels.

Why You Should Apply

• Leadership seat: Run the entire site quality agenda with direct access to senior executives.
• Growth trajectory: New product launches and planned capacity expansions create clear promotion pathways.
• Impact: Your work protects consumers, safeguards brand equity, and drives operational efficiencies.
• People‑first culture: Collaborative, accountability‑driven environment that rewards innovation and continuous learning.
• Comprehensive package: Competitive salary, bonus potential, full health benefits, 401(k) match, and generous PTO.

Next Steps

Ready to help craft the future of better‑for‑you chocolate? Apply today or reach out to our recruiting team for a confidential conversation.

About Blue Signal

Blue Signal is an award‑winning, executive search firm specializing in various specialties. Our recruiters have a proven track record of placing top‑tier talent across industry verticals, with deep expertise in numerous professional services. Learn more at bit.ly/46Gs4yS