A client in the food manufacturing and production industry is looking to add a Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager to their team. This individual is responsible for safeguarding food quality and safety at the production facility by developing and implementing strategies in line with regulatory and company standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of food safety plans, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards (e.g., HACCP, GFSI, BRC, SQF).
• Identify, control, and verify biological, chemical, and physical hazards in products and processes.
• Act as the Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), ensuring effective execution of the food safety plan.
• Conduct investigations into product failures, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Drive food safety culture within the facility through education and recognition programs.
• Manage the FSQA team, set objectives, and ensure adherence to key performance indicators.
• Oversee compliance with preventive controls (allergen, sanitation, supply chain) and regulatory standards.
• Manage customer complaints and initiate root cause analysis for continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with traceability, recall programs, and conduct mock traceability exercises.
• Lead audits, inspections, and performance reviews with both internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science, or related field, or equivalent experience in the food industry.
• 5-7 years of leadership experience in food safety and quality assurance within a food manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GFSI, USDA, FDA, and industry audits.
• Certified in HACCP, PCQI, and other relevant certifications (SQF Practitioner, ISO 22000 preferred).
• Experience managing FSQA teams and collaborating cross-functionally.