Quality Manager

CPS Inc.; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits Available

Job summary

CPS Inc. is seeking a Quality Manager to provide strategic leadership for the Food Safety and Quality Management System across the Nashville facility. You will ensure compliance with FDA, FSMA, HACCP, SQF, and customer requirements while driving operational excellence and continuous improvement.

The role oversees QA programs, audits, traceability, recalls readiness, and vendor oversight, with a focus on product integrity and data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, or related field required.
• Progressive experience in food manufacturing quality and food safety required.
• Experience leading or supervising quality teams in a manufacturing environment is required.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, FSMA Preventive Controls, GMPs, and SQF/BRC or similar standards.
• Experience supporting regulatory and third-party audits.
• Working knowledge of sanitation, environmental monitoring, and allergen controls programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the site’s Food Safety & Quality Management System (FSQMS) leadership and governance.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, FSMA Preventive Controls, state agencies, and customer requirements.
• Lead internal, customer, and third-party audits (SQF, BRC, AIB) and drive CAPAs.
• Oversee raw material, in-process, and finished goods quality programs and KPIs.
• Implement allergen control programs and changeover validations; maintain traceability.
• Oversee sanitation programs and QA-related vendors.
• Coach QA supervisors and technicians; drive GMP and food safety training.
• Develop and manage Quality department budget and strategic plans.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, or related field

Progressive experience in food manufacturing quality and food safety

Experience leading or supervising quality teams in manufacturing

HACCP, FSMA Preventive Controls, GMPs knowledge

Regulatory and third-party audits experience

Job description

Quality Manager

The Quality Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, development, and execution of the Food Safety and Quality Management System across the facility. This role ensures full compliance with FDA, FSMA, HACCP, SQF, and customer requirements while driving a culture of operational excellence, product integrity, and continuous improvement. This position serves as the site Quality Leader, overseeing food safety, regulatory compliance, sanitation, audit readiness, product quality systems, and continuous improvement initiatives aligned with their business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Food Safety & Quality Systems Leadership Lead and manage the site’s Food Safety & Quality Management System (FSQMS). Serve as HACCP Team Leader and SQF Practitioner (if certified). Develop, implement, validate, and reassess HACCP and Preventive Controls programs. Ensure compliance with GMPs, allergen control, sanitation, environmental monitoring, and labeling programs. Maintain robust documentation and record retention practices.
• Regulatory & Compliance Oversight Ensure compliance with FDA, FSMA Preventative Controls, state regulatory agencies, and customer requirements. Maintain facility readiness for regulatory and third-party inspections. Lead regulatory responses, investigations, and corrective action plans. Monitor evolving regulatory and company standards and implementing necessary system updates.
• Audit & Certification Management Lead all internal, customer, and third-party audits (e.g., SQF, BRC, AIB). Develop and execute audit preparation plans. Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) to closure. Report audit outcomes and quality system performance to executive leadership.
• Product Quality & Operational Excellence Oversee raw material, in-process, and finished goods quality programs. Lead environmental monitoring and sanitation verification programs. Manage product holds, investigations, root cause analysis, and disposition decisions. Monitor and trend quality KPIs including audit scores, consumer complaints, first-pass yield, non-conformances, environmental monitoring results, and CAPA effectiveness. Drive continuous improvement initiatives using data-based decision making.
• Allergen, Labeling & Traceability Control Implement and verify allergen control programs and changeover validations. Ensure label compliance with regulatory and customer requirements. Maintain traceability systems (one-step forward/back). Lead mock recalls and ensure recall readiness. Participate in crisis management and emergency preparedness programs.
• Sanitation & Vendor Oversight Oversee sanitation programs to ensure compliance with GMP and regulatory standards. Manage QA-related vendors and contracted services (pest control, laboratories, auditing bodies, sanitation chemicals, uniforms). Ensure validation and verification of sanitation effectiveness.
• Leadership & Talent Development Lead, coach, and develop QA supervisors, technicians, and sanitation personnel. Provide ongoing GMP, food safety, and quality training to plant employees. Foster a culture of accountability, food safety ownership, and continuous improvement. Conduct performance reviews and build succession planning strategies.
• Budget & Strategic Planning Develop and manage operating and capital budgets for the Quality department. Identify cost savings and efficiency opportunities without compromising food safety. Inform executive leadership on Quality Management System performance and risks.

Salary $100,000 - $120,000 + Bonus Benefits Available

Technical Qualifications

• Required Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, or a related field – or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Progressive experience in food manufacturing quality and food safety.
• Experience leading or supervising quality teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, FSMA Preventive Controls, GMPs, and company standards (SQF, BRC, or similar).
• Experience supporting regulatory and third-party audits.
• Working knowledge of sanitation, environmental monitoring, and allergen controls programs.

Preferred Certifications

• PCQI Certification
• HACCP Certification
• SQF Practitioner Certification

Key Competencies

• Strategic leadership
• Regulatory expertise
• Strong documentation discipline
• Analytical and data-driven decision making
• Crisis management capability
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Strong communication skills at all organizational levels