Los Angeles
Job Description Food Safety Quality Assurance Manager Summary of the Position Citistaff is seeking an experienced and results-driven FSQA Manager to support the FSQA Director in overseeing Food Safety and Quality Assurance activities across operations producing drinks, broths, salads, wraps, and other fresh or ready-to-eat products. This role supervises the FSQA Lead and QA Technicians and is responsible for developing, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving FSQA programs to ensure compliance with regulatory, third-party certification, customer, and company standards. The FSQA Manager plays a key role in ensuring the consistent production of safe, high-quality liquid, refrigerated, and fresh-prepared foods, while fostering a strong Food Safety & Quality culture throughout manufacturing, R&D, and supply chain operations. This position partners closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure raw materials, packaging, processes, and finished products meet all food safety and quality requirements. Key Responsibilities (include but are not limited to) • Supervise, develop, and lead the QA Team supporting beverage, broth, salad, wrap, and fresh food production., • Recruit, train, coach, mentor, and develop a high-performing FSQA team., • Conduct performance evaluations and address performance and compliance issues., • Develop and implement tactical plans aligned with FSQA strategic objectives., • Ensure FSQA activities—including audits, inspections, testing, monitoring, verification, validation, and pre-shipment documentation review—are executed accurately and on time., • Develop, implement, and maintain FSQA programs, including HACCP/Food Safety Plans, prerequisite programs, and standards/specifications for:, • Ingredients and raw materials, • Packaging materials, • Suppliers and co-manufacturers, • Finished products, including liquids and ready-to-eat foods, • Ensure compliance with FDA/USDA regulations, as applicable, for beverages, fresh foods, refrigerated products, and ready-to-eat items., • Maintain and support third-party certifications such as SQF, Organic, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, and other applicable food claims., • Partner with R&D and Operations to support new product development, innovation, and process changes for drinks, broths, salads, and wraps., • Ensure labeling, nutritional information, and product claims meet regulatory and customer requirements., • Lead resolution of food safety and quality issues, including customer and consumer complaints, using RCA, CAPA, and continuous improvement tools., • Manage and support internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits; ensure timely and effective corrective actions., • Deliver plant-wide FSQA training (GMPs, HACCP, Allergen Management, Foreign Material Control, sanitation, etc.)., • Develop, monitor, and communicate FSQA KPIs to stakeholders., • Drive and co-facilitate FSQA continuous improvement initiatives., • Act as a visible “floor general”, ensuring food safety and quality compliance in daily operations., • Participate in special projects and cross-functional initiatives as assigned. Qualifications and Traits Required • Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant technical discipline., • Minimum 4 years of FSQA supervisory or lead experience in FDA and/or USDA-regulated food or beverage manufacturing, preferably including liquid, refrigerated, or fresh-prepared foods., • Proven ability to lead, train, and develop high-performing QA teams., • Strong hands-on experience building and maintaining FSQA programs in beverage and/or ready-to-eat food environments., • Working knowledge of FDA, USDA, FSMA, and HACCP requirements., • Current HACCP and/or FSMA HARPC / PCQI certification., • Experience implementing and maintaining GFSI-based certifications (SQF, BRC, or similar)., • Familiarity with food claim certifications (Organic, Gluten-Free, Kosher, Halal, Non-GMO, etc.)., • Experience using continuous improvement and problem-solving tools (Kaizen, 5S, PDCA, DMAIC, SPC, root cause analysis, etc.)., • Strong SOP writing, documentation, and program management skills., • Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced production environment., • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and common manufacturing/FSQA software systems., • Strong written and verbal communication skills., • Willingness to travel up to 10% and work flexible hours as needed., • Degree in Food Science, Food Microbiology, Food Engineering, or related field., • SQF, BRC, or other GFSI Practitioner certification., • ASQ Quality certifications (CQA, CQE, CMQ/QE, etc.)., • Lean Six Sigma certification., • Experience with FSQA and manufacturing software (e.g., SafetyChain, TraceGains, MasterControl, Redzone)., • Experience in beverage, fresh-prepared, refrigerated, or ready-to-eat food production., • Sanitation leadership experience., • Spanish language proficiency. Physical Demands • Ability to work in office and manufacturing environments, including refrigerated, wet, loud, hot, or cold conditions., • Occasional lifting up to 50 pounds, standing, bending, stooping, and crouching., • Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to focus on computer work.