Quality Manager

TriVista Recruitment; Linden (NJ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

TriVista Recruitment is seeking a hands-on Quality Leader to drive QA, food safety, and regulatory compliance at a manufacturing site in New Jersey. You will lead the QA team, manage HACCP/HARPC, and partner with Operations to ensure product quality and regulatory adherence.

The role requires 5+ years of QA leadership in a related industry, HACCP and FSMA proficiency, and the ability to manage audits and data-driven improvements. Spanish skills are a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry or related discipline required.
• HACCP certification required or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience leading Food Safety/QA professionals in manufacturing.
• PCQI/FSMA certification or strong FSMA experience preferred.
• Experience managing third‑party audits and audit readiness.

Responsibilities

• Lead QA and Food Safety/Defense programs at the plant.
• Oversee HACCP/HARPC implementation, training, and recordkeeping.
• Manage internal and external audits and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and deliver food safety, quality, and employee safety training.
• Establish KPIs and drive continuous improvement and trend analysis.
• Support production with daily quality issues, dispositions, investigations, and resolutions.
• Oversee testing of raw materials, in‑process, and finished products; coordinate external labs.
• Investigate customer quality complaints and drive corrective actions.
• Collaborate with Operations and Corporate Technical teams on product requirements and new lines.

Skills

Leadership

Quality Assurance

Food Safety

Auditing

Root-Cause Analysis

KPIs

Data Interpretation

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Regulatory Compliance

Spanish (Preferred)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science/ Biology/ Chemistry

Job description

• Scope: Leadership of plant Quality Assurance, Food Safety/Defense, regulatory compliance, auditing, and continuous improvement programs
• Visibility: Key member of the plant leadership team, partnering closely with Manufacturing and Corporate Technical teams

This Role Is for You If…

• You’re a hands‑on quality leader who is comfortable working directly in a manufacturing environment.
• You have experience leading Quality Assurance and Food Safety teams and programs.
• You have a strong working knowledge of HACCP, HARPC, FSMA, GMPs, and regulatory compliance.
• You’ve successfully managed third‑party audits and can lead a facility through audit preparation and execution.
• You enjoy using root‑cause analysis, process controls, KPIs, and data to drive measurable improvements.
• You can effectively partner with Operations while maintaining high standards for food safety and product quality.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and coordinate the facility’s Quality Assurance and Food Safety/Defense programs.
• Manage HACCP and HARPC implementation, training, documentation, and recordkeeping.
• Oversee internal and third‑party audits and ensure ongoing regulatory compliance.
• Develop and lead food safety, quality, and employee safety training.
• Establish quality KPIs and continuous improvement initiatives, analyze trends, and drive process improvements.
• Lead QA staff and support production with daily quality issues, product dispositions, investigations, and resolutions.
• Oversee raw material, packaging, in‑process, and finished‑product testing, as well as outside laboratory testing.
• Investigate and resolve customer quality complaints.
• Partner with Manufacturing and Corporate Technical teams on customer requirements, new products, and product‑line extensions.
• Manage food‑safety‑related outside vendors, including pest control and sanitation chemical providers.
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• HACCP certification.
• 5+ years of experience managing Food Safety/QA professionals within food, personal care, nutritional supplement, pharmaceutical, or a similar manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success managing third‑party audits.
• PCQI/FSMA certification or strong FSMA experience.
• Experience with process controls, root‑cause analysis, laboratory testing, data interpretation, and continuous improvement.
• Strong leadership, coaching, communication, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Spanish bilingual capabilities are preferred.

About the Opportunity

This is an opportunity to take ownership of plant‑level quality and food safety while serving as an integral member of the facility leadership team. The position combines hands‑on quality leadership with team development, regulatory compliance, operational partnership, and continuous improvement, making it a strong opportunity for someone who wants to have a direct impact on both product quality and manufacturing performance.