Manager, Food Safety & Quality Assurance

Manager, Food Safety & Quality AssuranceLocation: Carson, CA 90810Industry: Food ManufacturingSalary: $105,000-$138,000 annually, depending on experienceEmployment Type: Direct HireSchedule: Full-Time | On-Site | Approximately 7:00 AM-4:00 PMTravel: Less than 10%Language: Bilingual English/Spanish required Position OverviewWe are seeking an experienced Manager, Food Safety & Quality Assurance to lead day-to-day food safety and quality operations within an FDA-regulated food manufacturing and processing environment.This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for overseeing a team of QA professionals while ensuring food safety programs, regulatory requirements, audit standards, documentation, and quality processes are consistently executed across the operation.The ideal candidate will bring 5+ years of food safety/quality experience within food or beverage manufacturing, previous leadership experience, and a strong understanding of HACCP, food safety audits, sanitation, environmental monitoring, CAPA, and regulatory compliance. Key ResponsibilitiesLead and provide day-to-day direction to the Quality Assurance teamMaintain and oversee food safety and quality programs, documentation, policies, and QA logsEnsure HACCP plans, monitoring procedures, corrective actions, and verification activities are properly executed and documentedReview CCP monitoring, corrective action, calibration, and other quality records for accuracy and completenessManage product holds and investigate food safety, temperature, labeling, foreign material, and other quality concernsOversee sanitation verification, pre-operational inspections, environmental monitoring, and related corrective actionsMaintain a strong state of readiness for BRCGS/SQF, FDA, and customer auditsLead internal audits and GMP inspections and ensure identified issues are correctedInvestigate customer complaints and quality issues, conduct root cause analysis, and manage CAPA activitiesMaintain supplier approval documentation and ensure required records remain currentSupport customer quality requirements, specifications, documentation, and portalsDevelop and update food safety policies, procedures, logs, and training materialsProvide food safety, GMP, HACCP, and CCP training to employeesPartner closely with Production, Sanitation, Sourcing, Operations, and other departments to resolve food safety and quality issuesSupport recalls, mock recalls, regulatory inspections, and traceability exercisesTrack quality metrics and provide reporting on food safety and quality performanceQualifications5+ years of food safety and quality experience within food or beverage manufacturingPrevious experience leading or supervising QA employeesBilingual English/Spanish requiredStrong working knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, CAPA, sanitation, environmental monitoring, and food safety complianceExperience preparing for and supporting food safety and regulatory auditsBRCGS or SQF experience strongly preferredComfortable working in an FDA-regulated production environmentStrong documentation, reporting, and administrative skillsAbility to develop and maintain food safety procedures, policies, and quality recordsStrong analytical and root-cause problem-solving skillsAbility to manage multiple priorities within a fast-moving manufacturing environmentStrong leadership and communication skills with the ability to confidently address food safety concerns across departmentsProficiency with Microsoft Office, including ExcelEducation & CertificationsBachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or a related field preferredSignificant progressive food safety/quality experience may be considered in place of a degreeSeafood HACCP and PCQI experience/certifications strongly preferredBRCGS/SQF Practitioner, internal auditor, or lead auditor training is a plusIdeal CandidateThe ideal candidate is an assertive, analytical, highly organized QA leader who is comfortable making decisions and backing them up with food safety standards, regulatory requirements, and data.This person needs to be comfortable working in an environment where priorities can change quickly and multiple food safety, quality, production, and operational issues may need attention simultaneously.Strong candidates could come from seafood, meat/protein, refrigerated foods, food processing, beverage, or other regulated food manufacturing environments. Seafood experience is highly valuable, but broader food or beverage manufacturing experience can also translate well. Work EnvironmentThis is a fully onsite position based in Carson, CA. The role will spend time both in an office and throughout the processing facility, including production areas, docks, coolers, and freezers.The position may occasionally require early mornings, evenings, or weekends to support audits, inspections, production needs, or food safety incidents. Travel to other company facilities is expected to remain under 10%. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions.Equal Opportunity NoticeHighspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact HR@vaco.com .Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.Representation NoticeBy submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.For residents of Ontario, Canada only: to the extent the position for employment is not with Highspring or not otherwise noted as vacant above, candidate should be informed that this role is to replace a presently employed person at Vaco by Highspring's client.Privacy NoticeVaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.Residents of all other states may access our policies here.Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.Pay Transparency NoticeDetermining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:· the individual's skill sets, experience and training;· licensure and certification requirements;· office location and other geographic considerations; and· other business and organizational needs.With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).