Quality Assurance & Food Safety Manager
2 days ago
Vernon
About Tadin Herb & Tea Co.® The #1 Selling Hispanic Tea Brand in the U.S., Tadin Herb & Tea Co. has been rooted in wellness and inspired by the rich herbal traditions of Latino culture since 1982. Family-owned and proudly based in Los Angeles, we blend authenticity with innovation to craft teas and herbs that bring comfort, healing, and joy — una taza a la vez. Our values: 1. Teamwork – Collaboration is at the heart of Tadin’s success. We thrive on a strong sense of teamwork where every voice is valued, and every achievement is shared. Those who succeed here are true team players — individuals who put collective goals above personal recognition., 2. Pride and Loyalty– Our company’s history of success inspires deep pride and commitment among our team. We honor what has been built and look ahead with confidence and optimism about what we can continue to achieve together., 3. Entrepreneurial Environment – Tadin embraces an entrepreneurial mindset — always exploring new ideas, new products, and better ways to reach our consumers. We value curiosity, innovation, and a willingness to challenge the status quo., 4. Consumer Focused – Our success is rooted in genuine relationships with our retail partners and consumers. We are committed to understanding and meeting the needs of the people who enjoy our products every day., 5. Integrity – We hold ourselves to the highest standards of honesty and accountability. At Tadin, people keep their promises, act with transparency, and consistently follow through — with customers, consumers, and one another., 6. Commitment to Excellence – We continuously seek improvement and embrace best practices that help us work smarter and deliver better results. Growth, learning, and refinement are part of who we are., 7. Hard Work – We are a lean, hands-on organization where everyone is willing to roll up their sleeves and do what it takes to get the job done. Drive, dedication, and ownership define our approach., 8. Family / Community / Balance – Tadin fosters a deep sense of family and belonging, both inside and outside the company. We encourage balance between work, family, and personal well-being — because we believe people do their best work when they feel supported in all areas of life., 9. Casual, Collegial Environment – We maintain a business-casual atmosphere that’s professional yet approachable. Our culture is friendly, humble, and focused on results — without unnecessary formality or hierarchy. Position Summary: The QA & Food Safety Manager – is responsible for the oversight and execution of all quality assurance and food safety programs within a food manufacturing facility. This role ensures that products meet regulatory, customer, and company standards for safety, quality, and consistency. The manager leads compliance efforts related to GFSI (e.g., SQF), FSMA, and food-specific safety standards, while driving a proactive food safety culture across the organization. This position works closely with Production, R&D, Maintenance, Marketing, and Executive Management to uphold excellence in food quality, regulatory compliance, and consumer satisfaction. Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance • Ensure full compliance with all applicable FDA, FSMA, and local food manufacturing regulations., • Lead and manage GFSI certification programs such as SQF, including annual recertification audits., • Serve as the site SQF Practitioner, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), and HACCP Team Lead, overseeing hazard analyses and food safety plans., • Oversee recall readiness, market withdrawal procedures, and mock recall testing in coordination with customers and regulators., • Handle customer regulatory and compliance documentation requests via portals such as Repositrak, Wercs, etc. Certifications & Vendor Compliance • Maintain and expand third-party certifications such as Kosher, Organic, Fair Trade, or Non-GMO applicable to food formulations., • Lead vendor qualification, risk assessments, and second-party audits for raw materials, packaging components, and contract manufacturers. Documentation & Digital Compliance • Implement and manage digital quality systems (e.g., Redzone, EtQ, or equivalent) for traceability, audit readiness, and real-time reporting., • Ensure robust documentation, including batch records, ingredient declarations, and traceability logs., • Manage specification libraries for raw materials, packaging, and finished food. Team Leadership & Cross-functional Collaboration • Supervise, train, and mentor Quality Team, sanitation team members, and line auditors on GMPs, quality checks, and corrective actions., • Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service to address quality-related inquiries or complaints., • Participate in new product development with R&D, ensuring formulations meet safety, shelf-life, and regulatory requirements., • Communicate with executive leadership to report food safety trends, risk mitigation strategies, and audit results. Research & Development (R&D) Support • Guide formulation from a quality and regulatory perspective, including functional ingredients, natural flavors, and preservatives., • Oversee label development and compliance to ensure FDA and market-specific labeling regulations are met (e.g., caffeine disclosures, health claims)., • Oversees substantiation files for product claims and manage FDA GRAS notifications where applicable., • Collaborate with printers and packaging vendors to validate accuracy of all printed materials. Required Skills & Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, or related field (required)., • 3–5+ years of QA/Food Safety experience in food manufacturing (non-alcoholic or alcoholic)., • Certifications: SQF Practitioner, PCQI, and HACCP (required)., • In-depth knowledge of food regulatory compliance., • Experience leading teams and managing third-party audits., • Skilled in statistical process control (SPC), CAPA programs, and root cause analysis., • Proficient in Microsoft Office, QA software, and ERP systems., • Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a must