Quality Manager

Next Century Spirits Inc; Zebulon (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Bonus based on performance

Competitive salary

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Opportunity for advancement

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Job summary

Next Century Spirits Inc. in Zebulon, NC, seeks a hands-on Quality Manager to lead the Quality Management System, supervise QC staff, and drive continuous improvement across manufacturing and lab operations.

You will partner with Operations, R&D, and Supply Chain to resolve quality issues, implement CAPAs, and maintain regulatory compliance, ensuring products meet established standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science or equivalent manufacturing experience.
• Minimum 3 years of QA/QC in a food/beverage environment.
• Minimum 2 years of direct supervisory experience.
• Experience implementing or maintaining Quality Management Systems (SOPs, specs, CAPA).
• Laboratory testing experience and ability to troubleshoot laboratory issues.
• Experience supporting manufacturing and working with Production teams.
• Knowledge of GMPs and food safety principles.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and continually improve the facility's Quality Management System (QMS).
• Lead investigations into nonconformances, deviations, and CAPA actions.
• Oversee daily QC laboratory operations and ensure timely, reliable testing.
• Review results and manage corrective actions for out-of-spec conditions.
• Balance production needs with quality requirements on the manufacturing floor.
• Supervise Quality Control Technicians and manage training and scheduling.
• Collaborate with Operations, R&D, and Supply Chain to resolve quality issues.

Skills

Quality Assurance

Quality Control

Supervision

GMPs

Analytical testing

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science

Equivalent manufacturing experience

Tools

Electronic QMS

ERP systems

Job description

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Bonus based on performance
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Opportunity for advancement
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Who we are

Established in Raleigh, NC in 2018, Next Century Spirits blends traditional techniques and unique finishing technologies to create enhanced distilled spirits. Our patented post distillation filtering and finishing technology creates a tool for the traditional distiller to expand their repertoire of achievable flavors and aromas while improving quality, maintaining consistency, and reducing supply chain issues. This technology allows for tight control over the entire production process, resulting in the ability to create bold and unique flavor customization options for brands to choose from to expand product portfolios and fulfill market needs. As we have matured so to have our aspirations of developing our own portfolio of brands.

Reports

Vice President of R&D and Quality Direct

Quality Control Technician (3)

Schedule

Salaried, on-site M-F in Zebulon, NC

Primary Duty

The Quality Manager is responsible for the daily execution, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the facility's Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring that raw materials, manufacturing processes, and finished products meet established quality and regulatory requirements.

This is a hands‑on leadership position responsible for supervising Quality Control Technicians, overseeing laboratory operations, supporting manufacturing activities, and driving consistent execution of quality standards throughout the facility. The Quality Manager is expected to maintain sufficient technical proficiency to provide hands‑on training, troubleshoot analytical and manufacturing issues, and perform Quality Control testing when operational needs require, while maintaining primary responsibility for leadership, quality systems, and departmental performance.

The Quality Manager works collaboratively with Operations, R&D, Supply Chain, and other departments to identify and resolve quality issues, implement corrective actions, and strengthen quality processes. The successful candidate will balance technical expertise, sound judgment, and effective people management to support a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Position Responsibilities

Quality Management System

• Maintain, implement, and continuously improve the facility's Quality Management System, including SOPs, records, deviations, corrective actions, and document control.
• Monitor compliance with established quality procedures and identify opportunities to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
• Lead investigations into nonconforming materials, manufacturing deviations, and customer complaints, including root cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Manage quality holds, evaluate nonconforming materials and products, make disposition decisions within establish authority levels, and elevate significant quality concerns as appropriate.
• Develop and monitor quality performance indicators, identify trends, and drive measurable improvements.

Laboratory & Technical Operations

• Oversee daily Quality Control laboratory operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and reliable testing to support manufacturing.
• Provide technical guidance, hands‑on training, and troubleshooting support to Quality Control Technicians.
• Maintain proficiency in laboratory methods and equipment to independently perform testing when required for training, troubleshooting, or staffing coverage.
• Ensure laboratory equipment is properly maintained, calibrated, and operated according to approved procedures.
• Review laboratory results, investigate out-of-specification conditions, and ensure appropriate corrective actions.
• Oversee laboratory documentation, sample management, and retain programs.

Manufacturing & Operational Quality

• Maintain an active presence on the manufacturing floor to support quality execution and timely resolution of issues.
• Partner with Operations to ensure compliance with established product specifications, manufacturing procedures, GMPs, and quality standards.
• Oversee in-process quality inspections, packaging component inspections, and finished product evaluations.
• Review and approve manufacturing quality documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Support investigations involving manufacturing defects, packaging issues, supplier quality concerns, and process deviations.
• Balance production needs with quality requirements while maintaining appropriate quality standards.

People Leadership

• Directly supervise Quality Control Technicians, including daily work assignments, scheduling, training, coaching, and performance management.
• Manage daily Quality Department activities, establish work priorities, and ensure appropriate staffing and resource allocation to support manufacturing operations.
• Establish clear performance expectations and hold team members accountable for following procedures, completing documentation, and meeting operational requirements.
• Develop and maintain employee training and competency assessment programs.
• Provide constructive feedback, address performance concerns promptly, and support employee development.
• Ensure effective communication, shift handoffs, and coordination of Quality activities across operational areas.
• Foster a professional, collaborative work environment that emphasizes accountability, consistency, and continuous improvement.

This Job Might Be for You If

• You enjoy leading people and take satisfaction in developing a capable, independent team.
• You are equally comfortable working in the laboratory, on the production floor, and managing quality systems.
• You believe quality procedures should be practical, effective, and consistently followed.
• You are comfortable making decisions, addressing problems directly, and holding yourself and others accountable.
• You enjoy improving existing systems and finding ways to make processes more reliable and efficient.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology, or a related scientific or technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of Quality Assurance or Quality Control experience in a food or beverage manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of 2 years of direct supervisory or people management experience, including responsibility for employee performance, training, and daily work assignments.
• Demonstrated experience implementing, maintaining, or improving Quality Management Systems, including SOPs, specifications, nonconformance management, and corrective actions.
• Demonstrated laboratory experience, including analytical testing, interpretation of results, equipment operation, and troubleshooting, with the technical proficiency and willingness to provide hands‑on support when needed.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations, investigating quality issues, and working collaboratively with Production teams.
• Working knowledge of GMPs, food safety principles, and applicable quality and regulatory requirements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to effectively prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability and willingness to work directly in laboratory and manufacturing environments as operational needs require.
• Must be at least 21 years of age and able to participate in sensory evaluation of alcoholic beverages, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising hourly employees in a manufacturing or laboratory environment.
• Quality experience in alcoholic beverages, dairy, liquid food products, or other process manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with HACCP, preventive controls, internal auditing, and food safety management systems.
• Experience with supplier quality management, customer complaint investigations, and quality performance metrics.
• Experience using electronic Quality Management Systems, ERP systems, or digital manufacturing documentation.
• Familiarity with alcoholic beverage regulatory requirements, including TTB regulations.
• Experience implementing continuous improvement initiatives and leading cross-functional problem solving activities.