QA Manager

WAWONA FROZEN FOODS

ABOUT THIS COMPANY

Founded in 1963, Wawona Frozen Foods specializes in the growing and freezing of fresh fruit. As the pioneer in the frozen fruit industry, the company is an industry leader, producing many of America's favorite fruits including fresh frozen peaches, strawberries, pears, plums, and unique mixed fruit blends.

Building on its family heritage and upholding the highest standards of food safety with refreshing taste, texture, and natural sweetness, Wawona's fresh frozen fruit is as close to nature as possible. You can always count on Wawona for quality, consistency, and excellent service.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Quality Assurance Manager at Wawona Frozen Foods (WFF) is responsible for leading and implementing the Food Safety, Quality, and Laboratory Quality Assurance programs to ensure the highest standards of food safety and regulatory compliance. This role ensures the Safe Quality Food (SQF) program is properly implemented and maintained across WFF facilities and oversees all internal audits while actively participating in external audits. The Quality Manager will work closely with the Director of Quality to uphold customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices in frozen fruit processing. Additionally, this role is accountable for maintaining product integrity from raw materials to finished goods, ensuring compliance with supplier requirements, and managing cross-functional quality-related projects. This position may require some travel to other plants and for supplier audits. The QA Manager will ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and internal standards and certifications.

DUTIES INCLUDE

Food Safety & Quality Assurance Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain food safety and quality assurance policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with kosher, organic, and other relevant standards.
• Conduct regular audits and inspections of facilities, processes, and products to assess adherence to quality standards, including kosher, organic, BRC, and SQF certification requirements.
• Lead investigations of food safety incidents, customer complaints, and product recalls, implementing corrective actions as necessary.
• Monitor and analyze quality metrics, preparing reports for management and recommending improvements.
• Provide training and support to employees on food safety practices, quality control, and sanitation procedures, with a focus on kosher and organic practices.
• Stay current on industry trends, kosher and organic standards, and regulatory changes to ensure continuous compliance and improvement.

Regulatory Compliance & Certification

• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal food safety regulations, including FDA, USDA, and other applicable guidelines.
• Maintain compliance with SQF, GFSI, and other industry standards, ensuring all regulatory and quality documentation is up-to-date.
• Lead facility audits, including internal, third-party, and customer audits, ensuring the company remains audit-ready.
• Oversee the development and execution of HACCP and FSMA Preventive Controls programs, working closely with USDA inspectors when applicable.
• Ensure all GMPs are updated and employees adhere to the latest food safety protocols.
• Conduct internal audits and monitor verification activities to ensure continued adherence to food safety standards.
• Review and ensure FDA labeling compliance to meet regulatory and customer requirements.

Quality Assurance & Control

• Oversee QA laboratory operations, ensuring timely and accurate testing to support production.
• Manage product quality, ensuring compliance with customer specifications, and resolve any discrepancies.
• Develop and implement policies for raw materials, semi-finished goods, and finished product holds, ensuring proper review and tracking.
• Ensure proper sampling and analysis for Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) to verify product integrity.
• Manage the tracking and reporting of product and internal non-conformances, developing effective corrective action plans.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support continuous improvement initiatives related to quality and food safety.
• Conduct validation studies to support the Food Safety Program, ensuring preventive controls and critical limits are scientifically sound.

Food Safety Management

• Lead the HACCP team in annual reviews and updates to the food safety program.
• Oversee microbiological and environmental monitoring programs to prevent contamination risks.
• Implement and maintain food safety, prerequisite, and food quality programs as per SQF requirements.
• Oversee monthly Food Safety/GMP walkthroughs and weekly SQF/Food Safety meetings to drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure proper traceability, recall procedures, and product labeling to comply with FDA, USDA, and customer requirements.
• Track all audit non-conformances, ensuring proper documentation and corrective actions are implemented.

Leadership & Training

• Supervise and mentor the Food Safety Supervisor and Quality Supervisor, providing development opportunities.
• Oversee training for plant personnel on food safety, quality policies, GMPs, and best practices, ensuring all employees receive annual training.
• Develop and update company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Manage seasonal QA lab operations and ensure adequate QA coverage across all departments.
• Serve as a mentor to QA staff, fostering continuous learning and professional development.

Customer & Supplier Quality Management

• Address customer complaints related to food safety and quality, providing timely resolution.
• Audit vendor sites and manage the supplier approval process to ensure compliance with internal and regulatory standards.
• Support the Research & Development (R&D) process for new products, ensuring product trials meet quality standards before full production.
• Oversee shipping and receiving inspections, documentation, and corrective actions with suppliers.
• Ensure suppliers meet the company's quality and safety standards, conducting vendor audits as needed.
• Work closely with procurement to ensure raw materials meet the company's quality expectations before acceptance.
• Support the Sales team by managing customer compliance documentation to ensure all necessary quality and regulatory requirements are met.

REQUIREMENTS

• Currently enrolled as a sophomore or higher in an engineering degree program (Mechanical, Industrial, or similar technical field).
• Familiarity with AutoCAD or other design software.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and other office software.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to troubleshoot.
• A strong interest in learning how technical knowledge applies in the manufacturing industry, especially food production.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

LOCATION

BENEFITS

• Competitive Benefit Package including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, Life, FSA, DCAP
• Employee Assistant Program
• Paid Sick Leave
• Wawona Wednesday's, End of Season Appreciation Events, T-shirts and Hats, Employee of the Month
• You'll have the opportunity to work with great people and make a real impact - while being your unique, authentic self at work

WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY

• We learn together. We believe in supporting all employees with all the training, resources, and tools to be successful. We invest in our people, we learn together, we take the time to train, and we grow together. We celebrate OUR people and want each employee to have a long career with Wawona Frozen Foods.
• We focus on building and keeping relationships, going above and beyond, and offering world-class service. Empowering each team member to make Wawona Frozen Foods better every day, come up with improvements and suggest suggestions, and help us be innovative. We are proud of our history and want to continue to leave a legacy.
• Wawona Frozen Foods promotes a work environment that encourages problem-solving, collaboration, and a culture of growth. We roll up our sleeves, we get dirty, we exemplify true grit, and we support each other because we truly care about our people.
• We pride ourselves on having a diverse team matching our diverse product base. We have an inclusive culture where different professional and personal perspectives, ideas, and suggestions are respected and welcomed.
• We pride ourselves on the fast-paced environment that our season creates, and we recognize that if it was not for our people working hard that we would not be as successful.
• We strive to deliver the best fruit products available and to be a valued partner in every one of our customer's successes.
• We take the time to build a relationship with our customers and make sure we are producing and delivering the best products specific to your needs.

PHYSICAL AND/OR MENTAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

• Work in an environment where there can be medium to loud noise and in cold temperatures.
• Stand and walk, feel, reach with hands and arms. Occasionally requested to sit and talk or hear.
• A fast-paced environment that requires high attention to details and minimal down time.
• Occasional lifting and transporting of moderately heavy objects, such as equipment, machinery, etc. Lifting requirement: Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. independently.
• Other duties as assigned requiring repetitive tasks, use of computer equipment, scheduling, preparing reports, etc. utilizing a computer.
• Work flexible/varying schedules to support the team, customers, and deadlines.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include peripheral vision and ability to see all colors.
• You will be regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, extreme cold, and vibration. Exposure to cleaning products and agents for the sanitation of equipment and machinery regularly.
Wear appropriate personal protection equipment and adhere to dress code as outlined for working in a food manufacturing facility.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Applicants must be fully authorized to work in the U.S. and physically be in the U.S.

Wawona Frozen Foods is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected factor.

NOTICE TO RECRUITERS, EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES, AND/OR VENDORS

Please note that Wawona Frozen Foods does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or vendors. Without a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Wawona Frozen Foods will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. If a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without Wawona Frozen Foods' authorization, Wawona Frozen Foods is without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Wawona Frozen Foods. Verbal commitments from any Wawona Frozen Food employees will not be considered binding terms. This applies to all Wawona Frozen Foods locations and offices. It is the responsibility of all third-party recruiters and vendors to know this policy.