The Whole Herb Company a direct importer of Raw materials servicing the food, beverage, nutraceutical and pet industries is searching for a Senior Quality Assurance Manager.

Overview

Experience in: Food ingredients, spices, botanicals, or agriculture commodities.

The ideal candidate will bring expertise in HACCP, GMPs, FSMA, SQF and risk-based preventive controls, with a strong understanding of the unique challenges in raw materials ingredient importers environment.

The QA Manager will be responsible for leading and supervising day to day food safety, quality, and regulatory programs in compliance with SQF along with raw material, ingredient management as they pertain to SQF.

The Senior QA Manager drives and continuously monitors compliance with all quality and food safety programs through regular adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s), performance of sanitation audits, food safety checks (HACCP), SQF, On Hold program and product quality checks conducted according to organization policies.

This role ensures the facility maintains a robust food safety management system in line with the chosen GFSI standard for certification (SQF) and all applicable regulatory and certification standards (FDA, FSMA, USDA).

Perform prevention activities to proactively identify risks and take necessary actions to prevent food safety, quality and regulatory issues across the location

Responsible for oversight of sampling and testing product, oversight of product quality, environmental monitoring swabbing program, finished products testing, water testing, and coordination with outside labs.

Inspection of incoming raw materials and ingredients as applicable. Maintains a comprehensive understanding of all raw materials that are received into the facility.

The Senior QA Manager will collaborate with the Regulatory Manager, Warehouse Manager and Purchasing to continuously improve Food Safety Management programs in support of a food safe, quality-first culture.

Partner with operations, supply chain, sales, and other departments to integrate food safety into culture and work procedures.

Oversee the Regulatory Managers development, implementation, review, and management of the SQF System having an understanding of the current edition of the SQF Food Safety Code: Food Manufacturing and the requirements to implement and maintain an SQF System relevant to the site’s scope of certification; Take appropriate action to ensure the integrity of the SQF System; and Communicate to relevant personnel all information essential to ensure the effective implementation and maintenance of the SQF System. Certified HACCP practitioner competent in implementing, maintaining and auditing HACCP based food safety plans. Oversight of company Food Safety training for Quality and Operations personnel.

Duties

• Oversight of internal auditing and inspection programs
• Oversight of customer Food Safety complaints, holds and product return programs.
• Oversight of facility documented validation activities.
• Alternate Recall Coordinator to the Managing Director
• Ensure proper implementation of required prerequisite programs. Allergen, sanitation, foreign material control, pest control, environmental monitoring, employee hygiene and verification and validation programs.
• Conduct hazard analyses, identify Preventive Controls and Critical Control Points, and validate control measures.
• Manage corrective actions and root cause analysis for food safety deviations and customer complaints related to food safety.
• Conduct risk assessments and root cause analyses to identify and correct food safety issues.
• Deliver training and coaching to staff on GMPs, sanitation, HACCP/PCHF rule, food safety awareness, and other programs or topics as per the employee training program’s Regulatory and GFSI requirements.
• Stay current with changes in regulatory requirements and industry best practices
• Act as a key partner with other departments to support cross-functional initiatives, resolve food safety challenges, and drive continuous improvement across the facility.
• Manage customer-facing Food Safety documentation and informational packets.
• First point of contact for food safety incidents.
• Investigates and real-time problem solves incidents & losses both independently and in collaboration with other departments such as operations, sales and purchasing.
• Monthly review of incidents, analyze trends, compile findings for management, operations, and sales team members .
• Promptly informs management of known or anticipated problems.
• PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual)

Education: Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biological Sciences, or related field

Pay: $120,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person