Food Quality Assurance Manager- Charlotte, NC

Job Summary

Quality Manager – Food Safety & Quality (SQF)
Reports to: Vice President of Food Safety & Quality
Environment: Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Food Manufacturing Facility

Position Summary
The Quality Manager provides leadership and hands-on oversight for all Safe Quality Food (SQF) and food safety programs within a Ready-to-Eat (RTE) food manufacturing environment. This role ensures strong systems, disciplined processes, and a culture that protects consumers, customers, and brand integrity. You will drive continuous improvement, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence while developing a high-performing Quality team.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Culture
• Foster a positive, growth-focused environment where employees develop and succeed.
• Lead by example to build a proactive, “can do” culture focused on safety and quality.
• Support organizational change by removing barriers, motivating teams, and resolving conflicts.

Training & Development
• Ensure FSQA training aligns with business priorities and QHSE objectives.
• Conduct training needs assessments, create curricula, evaluate effectiveness, and develop IDPs for Quality staff.

Quality Systems & Improvement
• Translate strategic goals into operational plans and measurable improvement initiatives.
• Lead structured problem-solving using 7 QC Tools, RCA, PDCA, 8D, and similar methods.
• Manage the labeling team to ensure accurate and compliant finished-goods labels for RTE production.
• Analyze audit results, KPIs, and statistical data to identify trends and drive corrective and preventive actions.
• Conduct hazard assessments and risk analyses; track and verify closure of corrective actions.
• Promote lean, process-focused approaches to improve product safety and consistency.
• Drive excellence in process control, product integrity, and supplier quality using Lean, Six Sigma, APQP, PPAP, and SPC.
• Maintain SQF and HACCP systems and all required documentation.
• Lead Quality Alerts (QAL), Corrective Action Requests (CAR), and Quality Improvement Team (QIT) processes.

Customer & Supplier Partnership
• Build strong relationships through proactive communication and on-site engagement.
• Anticipate customer needs and integrate expectations into the quality system.
• Partner with supply teams on supplier performance, development, and risk mitigation.

Skills & Experience Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, food science, engineering, or related field
• 10+ years of food manufacturing experience (5+ years in management)
• SQF Practitioner
• HACCP certified
• Strong Excel and data-analysis skills
• USDA manufacturing experience

Desirable Characteristics
• High-energy, hands-on, results-driven leader
• Strong integrity, independent problem-solver, forward-thinking mindset
• Thrives in fast-paced RTE operations
• SPC experience preferred

Physical Demands
Regular standing, walking, sitting, reaching, and communication required; accommodations available.

Work Environment
Exposure to moving mechanical parts, cold temperatures, and moderate to loud noise typical of RTE manufacturing; accommodations available.

Travel Requirements
Willingness to travel to company facilities, customer sites, and supplier locations.