Quality Assurance Manager - Judge Group

We are working with a USDA regulated food manufacturer in the Newark, NJ area seeking a Quality Assurance Manager with SQF experience. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and maintaining exceptional standards of quality and safety in food production. Leading a team of QA inspectors and technicians, you will oversee inspection processes, implement quality assurance initiatives, and uphold both USDA and SQF standards. Your expertise will be crucial in safeguarding public health, ensuring food safety, and maintaining product integrity. This is a very hands on position that requires you to be mobile throughout the facility on a regular basis.

Responsibilities:

• Supervision and Leadership:

  • Lead and supervise a team of QA inspectors and technicians, providing guidance, training, and support to ensure adherence to USDA and SQF regulations and company policies.
  • Assign tasks, establish priorities, and monitor performance to achieve departmental goals and objectives.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement, teamwork, and accountability within the QA team.

• Quality Assurance Compliance:

  • Ensure strict compliance with USDA regulations, SQF standards, and company procedures related to food safety, sanitation, labeling, and product quality.
  • Conduct regular inspections of food production facilities, processes, and products to verify compliance with regulatory and SQF requirements.
  • Investigate incidents of non-compliance, document findings, and implement corrective and preventive actions as necessary.

• Documentation and Reporting:

  • Maintain accurate records of inspections, audits, corrective actions, and SQF documentation, ensuring completeness and compliance with regulatory and certification requirements.
  • Prepare comprehensive reports summarizing QA activities, findings, and recommendations for management review, regulatory submission, and SQF certification audits.
  • Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, regulatory agencies, SQF auditors, and external partners regarding QA-related matters.

• Quality Control and Testing:

  • Develop and implement robust quality control procedures, including sampling plans, testing protocols, and product evaluations, to ensure product integrity and safety.
  • Collaborate closely with laboratory personnel to coordinate product testing, interpret test results, and address quality-related issues in compliance with SQF requirements.
  • Monitor production processes to identify opportunities for improvement and implement corrective actions to prevent quality defects and ensure SQF compliance.

• Training and Development:

  • Provide comprehensive training and education to employees on QA policies, procedures, SQF standards, and best practices to promote a culture of quality awareness, compliance, and continuous improvement.
  • Conduct regular training sessions on topics such as food safety, HACCP principles, GMPs, SQF requirements, and regulatory updates.
  • Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes relevant to food safety, quality assurance, and SQF certification.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• Strong knowledge of USDA regulations, SQF standards, HACCP principles, food safety systems, and quality management standards.
• Experience supervising and leading a team, with exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Proficiency in interpreting and applying regulatory requirements, conducting inspections, managing compliance programs, and maintaining SQF certification.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capability to investigate and resolve quality issues.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to interact professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
• Certification in food safety (e.g., Certified Food Safety Professional) and SQF Practitioner certification are desirable.
• Familiarity with food processing equipment, sanitation practices, and industry best practices.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and adapt to changing priorities and deadlines.