Quality Manager (Food Manufacturing)

Lawler Foods; Newburyport (MA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Dessert Holdings in Newburyport, MA seeks a Quality Assurance Manager to lead the QA program, ensuring compliance with SQF, HACCP and GMP to safeguard product safety and quality.

You will direct QA staff, develop policies, oversee audits, document control, and work with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement and successful product launches.

The role offers a competitive salary in the $130k–$150k range plus comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in food science, microbiology, biochemistry or related field.
• Minimum five years leading a QA team and implementing QA strategies.
• Experience auditing, HACCP, GFSI, AIB, SPC and related QA programs.
• Strong knowledge of QA methodologies and documentation controls.
• Experience benchmarking and implementing best practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; leadership under minimal supervision.
• PCQI Certification required or preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop QA policies for facility-wide quality management programs and standardization.
• Provide leadership to ensure customer, company, and regulatory requirements are met.
• Oversee QA staff activities, scheduling and performance across programs.
• Maintain SOPs, documentation control, QMS and training systems.
• Lead reviews of QA, management, and product development.
• Support new product development to optimize quality and shelf life.
• Audit planning, execution, and deficiency analysis.
• Provide SPC and data support for operations.
• Promote food safety culture across teams.
• Ensure all products meet testing, labeling and specs.
• Manage traceability and recall functions.

Skills

QA leadership

Auditing

HACCP knowledge

GFSI programs

Strong communication

PCQI certification

English/Spanish bilingual

Education

Bachelor's degree in food science, microbiology, biochemistry or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

QMS

SOP development

Document control

Process control

Training systems

Job description

Quality Assurance Manager

Dessert Holdings is the leading premium dessert company in the world. We craft artisanal, scratch-made desserts at scale, combining culinary innovation with the finest real ingredients. With a rich heritage spanning seven distinctive brands, we bring unmatched expertise and tailored solutions to our Retail and Foodservice partners.

Dessert Holdings is looking for a Quality Assurance Manager to be based in Newburyport, MA. The QA Manager will provide leadership and ensure the customer, company, and regulatory requirements are met through compliance withQuality Management Systems including SQF, HACCP, and GMP toensure safety and quality of employees and products.

The typical hiring range for this role is $130,000 to $150,000 annually and is based on several factors such as education, work experience, skills, certifications, location, etc. In addition to pay, Dessert Holdings offers benefits such as a choice of comprehensive medical plans, dental and vision insurance, paid vacation and holidays, and retirement contribution to all eligible employees.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for developing quality assurance policies for facility wide quality management programs as well as in organization standardization projects.
• Provide leadership and ensure the customer, company, and regulatory requirements are met in all aspects of the QA operations.
• Manage QA compliance staff activities, schedule, and performance (includes staff that coordinates Environmental Programs).
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of SOPs, forms, Document control, Process control, QMS, and training systems.
• Provide leadership and participate in all reviews of QA, management and product development.
• Provide leadership and technical support for any new product development to ensure procedures are effective to optimize quality and shelf life.
• On going support of QA procedures and CI initiatives throughout the facility.
• Coach, train, mentor, and support QA team members.
• Investigate and follow-up on consumer and customer complaints.
• Provide technical support to vendor compliance, sanitation, and operational issues.
• Ensure that all products for release meet all testing and manufacturing specifications and are accurately labeled, identified, and counted
• Manages traceability and recall functions.
• Propose preventive measures and promote programs to improve the Quality Management System to the executive committee.
• Plan and verify the execution of Audits, analyzing the results and deficiencies found.
• Provide SPC & data support for all operations when and where needed.
• Supports in promoting Food safety quality culture across all teams.
• Participates and provides support in all organizational standardization activities.
• Ensures that facilities are maintained, and all duties are performed in compliance with all applicable food safety standards and good manufacturing practices.
• Understands the management of Quality Systems and is familiar with SQF, HACCP, and GMP practices which help ensure the safety within the workplace and the production of a safe and quality product(s)
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in food science, microbiology, biochemistry or related field. Advanced education and degree preferred.
• At least five years' experiencemanaging a Quality team and implementing QA strategies.
• Experience with auditing, HACCP, GFSI, AIB, SPC and other quality measuring programs.
• Strong knowledge of quality assurance methodologies and strategies with a sound understanding of product formulation controls and documentation
• Previous experience in benchmarking, integrating, and implementing best practices.
• Superior verbal and written skills for clearly delegating tasks to team members and for effectively communicating results to management.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Leads with minimal to no supervision and demonstrates strong leadership skills.
• Ability to take initiative; manage tight deadlines.
• Computer proficiency
• Must be able to successfully complete PCQI Certification

PREFERRED

• Bilingual preferred (English and Spanish)
• 5+ years of food manufacturing environment.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• PCQI and SQF Practitioner preferred.

About Dessert Holdings

Dessert Holdings is a collection of premium dessert companies and brands: The Original Cakerie, Lawler's Desserts, Atlanta Cheesecake Company, Steven Charles, Dianne's Fine Desserts, Kenny's Great Pies, and Willamette Valley Pie Company. Dessert Holdings is owned by Bain Capital, is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, employs more than 3,800 people across ten manufacturing facilities, and is continuing its journey of rapid growth.

EEO Statement

Dessert Holdings and its related entities provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristics protected by law.