Senior Quality Assurance Manager

Judge Direct Placement; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The Judge Group is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager for a rapidly growing food manufacturing operation in the Pasadena, CA area. This leadership role directs all quality and food safety programs to protect product integrity and consumer trust.

You will oversee SQF, HACCP, GMPs, allergen control, audits, and regulatory relations, while coaching QA staff and driving continuous improvement across the plant.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of progressive QA or food safety experience within food manufacturing.
• USDA-regulated processing experience required.
• HACCP certification and SQF Practitioner experience required.
• Strong understanding of USDA, FDA, GMP, and food safety regulations.
• Experience reviewing laboratory and microbiological testing data.
• Proven leadership skills with experience managing and developing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead all food safety and quality programs, including SQF, HACCP, GMPs, sanitation, allergen control, supplier management, and employee training.
• Oversee audit preparation and compliance for SQF, USDA, FDA, customer, and third-party inspections.
• Manage product quality initiatives, microbiological testing, investigations, and corrective action programs.
• Maintain SOPs, quality documentation, specifications, labels, formulations, and nutritional information.
• Act as the primary contact for regulatory agencies and certification organizations.
• Ensure calibration, sanitation, environmental compliance, and facility food safety standards are consistently met.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts and support operational excellence across the plant.
• Supervise QA personnel, provide coaching, and manage department performance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Regulatory knowledge

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or Microbiology

Tools

Microsoft Office

Quality management systems

Job description

The Judge Group is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager for a rapidly food manufacturing company located in the Pasadena, CA area!

Title: Quality Assurance Manager

Responsibilities

• Lead all food safety and quality programs, including SQF, HACCP, GMPs, sanitation, allergen control, supplier management, and employee training.
• Oversee audit preparation and compliance for SQF, USDA, FDA, customer, and third-party inspections.
• Manage product quality initiatives, microbiological testing, investigations, and corrective action programs.
• Maintain SOPs, quality documentation, specifications, labels, formulations, and nutritional information.
• Act as the primary contact for regulatory agencies and certification organizations.
• Ensure calibration, sanitation, environmental compliance, and facility food safety standards are consistently met.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts and support operational excellence across the plant.
• Supervise QA personnel, provide coaching, and manage department performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of progressive QA or food safety experience within food manufacturing.
• Prior experience in a USDA-regulated processing environment required.
• HACCP certification and SQF Practitioner experience required.
• Strong understanding of USDA, FDA, GMP, and food safety regulations.
• Experience reviewing laboratory and microbiological testing data.
• Proven leadership skills with experience managing and developing teams.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality management systems.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills preferred.