FSQA (Food Safety Quality Assurance) Manager

Company Description

Sweet Candy Company, one of the oldest family-owned and operated candy companies in the United States, has been crafting taffy, chocolate sticks, cinnamon bears, and gourmet chocolate candies for over 130 years.

Role Description

The FSQA (Food Safety and Quality Assurance) Manager will oversee all aspects of manufacturing products related to Food Safety & Product Quality responsibilities throughout the production process, ensuring that all product meet regulatory standards, company specifications, and customer expectations, including implementing and maintaining HACCP plans, conducting internal audits, training staff on food safety procedures, and responding to any quality concerns or customer complaints related to candy production.

Key responsibilities of an FSQA Manager

Developing and implementing the Food Safety program:

• Develop and maintain systems to ensure facility meets all GFSI requirements currently dictated by BRCGS standards. 
• Standards include Commitment, Document Control and Records, Specifications, Attaining Food Safety, Verification, Product Identification Trace and Recall, Incident Management, Food Safety Fundamentals and Food Safety Fundamentals-Pre-requisite Programs. 
• Create and maintain HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) to identify and control potential food safety risks.
• Establish and manage quality standards for ingredients, manufacturing processes, and finished products.
• Develop and implement Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) to ensure hygiene and customer and regulatory standards are met.

Quality control monitoring and testing:

• Conduct regular product sampling and testing to verify quality parameters including ingredient composition, moisture content, microbial levels, and allergen control.
• Oversee the quality control laboratory, ensuring accurate gathering, testing and analysis of samples.
•  Monitor and investigate any deviations from quality standards, taking corrective actions as needed.
• Responsible for verifying key equipment detection devices to meet internal and external standards.

Compliance with regulations:

• Conduct regular product sampling and testing to verify quality parameters including ingredient composition, moisture content, microbial levels, and allergen control.
• Oversee the quality control laboratory, ensuring accurate gathering, testing and analysis of samples.
• Monitor and investigate any deviations from quality standards, taking corrective actions as needed.
• Responsible for verifying key equipment detection devices to meet internal and external standards.

Compliance with regulations:

• Stay updated on all applicable food safety regulations (local, state, and federal) and ensure the company adheres to them.
• Coordinate with regulatory agencies during inspections and audits.
• Manage documentation and record keeping, demonstrating compliance with food safety standards.

Staff training and education:

• Develop and deliver comprehensive food safety training programs for all production personnel including new hires.
• Train employees on proper handling of ingredients, allergen control program, environmental monitoring program and reporting of food safety concerns.

Incident management and response:

• Investigate customer complaints regarding product quality or food safety issues.
• Implement corrective actions and preventive measures to address identified problems.
• Conduct root cause analysis to prevent recurrence of issues.

Internal audits and Continuous improvement:

• Conduct regular internal audits to assess compliance with food safety standards and identify areas for improvement. 
• Lead initiatives to implement continuous improvement strategies for food safety practices. 

Communication and collaboration:

• Maintain open communication with production management, quality control technicians, and other departments to address food safety concerns.
• Collaborate with the R&D (Research and Development) team on new product development to ensure food safety considerations are met.
• Reports directly to the Food Safety and Quality Assurance Director and work closely to accomplish departmental objectives and to ensure that food safety and quality systems and procedures are being updated as changes are made internally and externally. 
• Participates in cross-training as directed by the FSQA Director.
• Performs other job duties as assigned or required.

Requirements

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in food science or related field is preferred. 

Experience:

• Experience of 3-5 years in a related field is preferred. 
• Experience in food manufacturing required. 
• Exposure to food manufacturing verification processes is required. 
• Experience with GFSI auditing standards. Experience with SQF or BRC auditing bodies is required. 
• Experience with regulatory affairs is preferred. 
• Auditing/ audit skills experience in Quality or Food Safety Management systems, including internal/external auditing for compliance is required. 

Certifications:

• HACCP Certification from a nationally/internationally recognized and accredited HACCP training firm.
• Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification.

Computer skills:

• Efficient in Microsoft Teams, Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Other skills:

• Ability to interpret instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Understanding of sanitation systems and processes.
• Customer/consumer relations.
• Ability to accept direction and be a team player.
• Ability to speak, read, and write in English.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills.

Physical requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working with a computer.
• Prolonged periods of walking or standing.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times.