Quality Assurance Manager
17 hours ago
Woodbridge
About Us United Premium Foods is an equal opportunity employer who wishes to hire motivated individuals to join our team working in our food production and cold storage facility. We are a fast-growing manufacturer of superior quality food (protein-based) products and provider of cold storage services. We are dedicated to delivering exceptional food processing solutions that prioritize quality, safety and superior customer service. Our commitment to excellence is evident in our New Jersey based facility, which is USDA and FDA Level 2 certified, and in our rigorous processes designed to meet stringent safety and food safety regulations. About the Role We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Food Safety and Quality Manager with strong customer relationship and communication skills as well as extensive experience in leading and managing teams to establish high standards for food production facilities. The ideal candidate will implement robust quality control protocols, maintain a compliant food safety environment, and oversee sanitation protocols. This candidate must possess a strong understanding of FDA and USDA regulations, as well as experience in quality system management. In this role, you will provide leadership to the food safety and quality team, guiding them to uphold best practices and achieve excellence. The candidate will develop, implement, and maintain food safety and quality SOPs and lead training initiatives for teams in established practices. The Food Safety and Quality Manager will manage team accountability for audit readiness, handle customer inquiries, administer lab results, and drive process improvement programs related to food safety and quality. This leadership role requires proactive troubleshooting skills to resolve quality assurance challenges, implement timely corrective actions, and develop preventative measures that align with company standards. Responsibilities The Food Safety and Quality Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing all aspects of food safety and quality assurance within the production facility. This role works closely with the plant’s management team—including production, operations, and facilities maintenance—to enforce rigorous cleaning and sanitation schedules, develop a high-performance team, and uphold the highest standards of food safety and quality. Additionally, the manager leads coordination with third-party vendors, labs, USDA inspectors, and auditors to ensure full compliance with federal, state, local, and organizational regulations and policies. The role involves daily leadership and oversight of food quality processes, managing team inspections and assessments, implementing HACCP principles, maintaining thorough quality records, and addressing any potential hazards to ensure ongoing compliance and operational excellence. • Oversee and manage quality control systems: Implement and maintain a robust quality management system to monitor product quality at every stage of production., • Lead inspections and audits: Perform and delegate regular internal inspections and audits of the production process, equipment, and facilities to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards., • Develop and manage strong Customer Relations: Foster trust and credibility, as well as maintain strong rapport with customer QA teams., • Lead and manage corrective and preventive actions (CAPA): Identify potential hazards, address non-compliance issues, and implement corrective and preventive measures to resolve quality and safety concerns., • Collaborate with and lead cross-functional teams: Work closely with production, operations, and maintenance teams to integrate food safety and quality practices into day-to-day operations., • Establish, oversee, and lead sanitation and cleaning processes: Lead the execution of strict cleaning and sanitation schedules to ensure a hygienic production environment., • Train and mentor staff on food safety and quality standards: Develop and deliver training programs to ensure all employees understand and follow food safety and quality policies and procedures., • Oversee product testing and lab results: Manage lab testing of raw materials, in-process products, and finished goods to verify adherence to quality and safety standards., • Develop, implement, and lead food safety protocols: Establish and maintain food safety programs, including HACCP, to ensure compliance with regulations and industry standards., • Ensure audit readiness and team preparedness: Prepare and maintain all necessary documentation and records for third-party and regulatory audits., • Drive continuous improvement within the team: Lead initiatives to enhance food safety and quality processes, including monitoring trends and implementing industry best practices., • Maintain thorough SOP documentation and team adherence: Ensure that all records related to food safety and quality, such as inspection reports, ATP swabbing, audit results, and compliance documentation, are accurate and up to date. Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in food science, microbiology, chemistry, or related field., • Minimum of 8+ years of experience in a leadership role within food safety, quality assurance, or quality control within a food production environment., • In-depth knowledge of food safety regulations and standards (HACCP, GMP, FDA, USDA, FSMA)., • HACCP certification required (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual or SQF practitioner is preferred)., • Proven leadership ability with a strong work ethic, capable of mentoring, guiding, and managing cross-functional teams in food safety and quality practices., • Bilingual in Spanish is a plus. Working Conditions • Food manufacturing environment and cold storage warehouse. Ability to commute/relocate: • Woodbridge, NJ 07095: Reliably commute or relocate before starting work (Required).
