Quality Assurance and Food Safety Manager

Position Summary :

Work Location : Bell, CA Lead the Quality Assurance and Food Safety Department to successfully implement and maintain current Good Manufacturing Practices in manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and holding operations for baked and cooked food products, as well as dietary supplements. As the leader, you are expected to have in-depth knowledge and experience in 21 CFR Parts 117 and 111. Additionally, you should be SQF or BRC certified and PCQI certified to ensure compliance with relevant government regulations and other binding quality and food safety standards issued by third-party agencies. Play a vital role in assisting, coaching, and guiding plant personnel with maintaining the plant and equipment in a sanitary condition. As the face of our company, you will curate a warm and inviting ambiance for employees while cultivating positive interactions within our dynamic team. This pivotal role supports our vibrant, entrepreneurial culture and demands versatility and adaptability to keep up with the pace.

Responsibilities :

• Manage and oversee the company's Quality Assurance and Food Safety practices in compliance with GMP.
• Oversee, organize, manage, plan, and coordinate the activities of the Quality Assurance and Food Safety Department.
• Ensures that group associates are trained to perform inspection functions as detailed in the approved current work instructions
• Monitors product quality by conducting daily audits of analytical, biological, and physical results from all shifts
• Coordinates, assigns priorities, and supervises the daily activities related to quality and food safety conducted by QA personnel, while communicating the daily status to management.
• Ensure continuous compliance with quality standards and industry regulations.
• Provide training for employees on topics related to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliance, including relevant policies and procedures.
• Analyze the data to pinpoint areas where the quality and food safety system can be improved.
• Investigate customer complaints and issues related to nonconformance. Implement appropriate and effective corrective and preventive measures.
• Develops and tracks key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Liaise with different departments to update standard operating procedures (SOP) and develop new SOPs as required.
• Manage the quality department budget to optimize expenses.
• Ensure that qualification practices are implemented as required.
• Host client, third-party, and FDA quality assurance and food safety audits.
• Liaise with vendors to obtain necessary regulatory information for ingredients and respond to regulatory inquiries.
• Leverage industry expertise and connections to build a supportive team and enhance the company’s growth efforts.
• Organize the personnel in the Quality Assurance (QA) department to ensure compliance with relevant key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Responsible for managing all quality assurance functions in the Bell, CA facility.
• Manages site pest control and sanitation programs to assure compliance with FDA and other relevant quality and food safety agencies or programs.
• Oversees and manages the calibration activities for both manufacturing and laboratory equipment.
• Leads quality assurance efforts to achieve goals and objectives, ensuring timely delivery and maintaining product quality and food safety.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the plant on matters related to quality and food safety.
• Oversees the management and ongoing improvement of QA Operartions.
• Prepares responses to Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) findings from audits or inspections.
• Performs audits of internal operations, suppliers, contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs), and contract laboratories.
• Coordinator of the HACCP Plan and Prerequisite Programs to ensure compliance with food safety standards.
• Ensures that all necessary certifications, licenses, permits, and registrations for the plant are current and maintained.
• Reviews and approves the investigations and responses related to complaints.
• Creates, writes, and implements standard operating procedures (SOPs), methods, stability protocols, verification protocols, and other related quality assurance (QA), quality control (QC), and food safety procedures.
• Consistently monitor and provide updates to senior management regarding ongoing quality and operational issues.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to identify quality trends and prepare periodic reports for senior management review.
• Performs employee job performance reviews as needed.
• Initiates disciplinary actions and conducts investigations into incidents as necessary. Carries out additional responsibilities and performs duties as assigned by the Plant Manager or VP of Quality Assurance and Food Safety at Legendary Foods.

Qualifications / Work Experience : To excel in this role, you should embody the following qualities :

Education Requirements :

Physical Requirements :