Plant QA Manager

Role Overview

The Plant QA Manager is responsible for leading quality and food safety activities at the manufacturing site in Dallas, TX. This role sits under the Vice President of Quality Assurance and also has an indirect reporting line to the Plant Manager. The position focuses on maintaining product quality, regulatory compliance, and food safety standards across the facility.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Vice President of Quality Assurance
• Indirect reporting to: Plant Manager
• Directly supervises: Plant QA Lab Tech

Travel

Travel is expected to be minimal, at roughly 5% or less.

Core Purpose

This position ensures that all quality-related systems and controls support the plant’s food safety and quality objectives. The manager oversees compliance, testing, documentation, audits, corrective actions, training, and certification readiness.

Key Duties

• Direct the plant’s quality and food safety systems in line with corporate standards and requirements.
• Lead the site HACCP team and biosecurity initiatives.
• Manage compliance efforts related to regulators, customers, kosher standards, and third-party certification bodies.
• Maintain oversight of quality records, certifications, and supporting documentation.
• Conduct and support internal and external audits for the Quality Management System.
• Lead hands-on microbiological and chemistry testing tied to product specifications, including color, Brix, pH, yeast, mold, and APC.
• Prepare quality reports and drive corrective action follow-up.
• Head internal improvement activities and assigned project work.
• Support training for plant teams on quality-related processes.
• Assist with mock recalls and similar verification activities to confirm system readiness.
• Administer internal databases used for documentation and testing records.
• Make decisions on nonconforming product and raw materials.
• Coordinate customer orders with Production, arrange carrier coordination, and keep customers informed.
• Act as backup coverage through the Plant QA Lab Tech during vacation or illness situations; the QA Lab Tech may also serve as the secondary SQF Practitioner.

SQF and Food Safety Leadership

• Serve as the primary SQF Practitioner for the plant.
• Hold PCQI certification, which is mandatory for the role.
• Oversee the creation, rollout, review, and upkeep of the plant SQF system.
• Take action to protect the integrity of the SQF system.
• Communicate critical SQF-related information to the right personnel so the system is implemented and maintained effectively.
• Lead recall response efforts and liaise with regulatory authorities as needed.
• Participate in business continuity planning.
• Handle quality and food safety regulatory matters.
• Lead food safety culture planning efforts.
• Head food security initiatives.
• Approve SQF procedures, policies, and HACCP/food safety plans.
• Validate HACCP and food safety plans.
• Oversee internal audit activity and customer complaint handling.
• Run plant SQF management reviews and updates.
• Lead the annual review of the HACCP and food safety plans and coordinate with food fraud vulnerability and mitigation planning.
• Own CAPA, traceability, product hold, and equipment hold programs.
• Participate in new product development, especially customer-specific specification changes.
• Oversee GMP training for service providers and contractors.
• Maintain supplier records and certificates of analysis from plant suppliers.
• Keep product specifications current for all plant customers.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Food Science, Food Technology, or an equivalent background through experience is required.
• Prior quality assurance experience in food manufacturing, including audit exposure, is necessary.
• Experience with microbiology, GMPs, chemistry, equipment design, sanitation, and quality systems is expected.
• Working knowledge of regulatory compliance and kosher requirements is needed.
• The role requires strong adaptability, organization, and analytical ability.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills are important.
• The candidate should be able to work independently.
• Strong documentation and recordkeeping skills are required.
• A basic understanding of microbiological and chemistry test methods is needed.
• Basic familiarity with laboratory testing equipment is expected.
• Knowledge of current food manufacturing laws and regulations is required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint, is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• SQF certification is preferred.
• Six Sigma Green Belt certification is preferred.
• Ability to speak or write Spanish is desired.

Tools and Equipment

• Standard office equipment such as computers, printers, fax machines, and copiers will be used.
• Regular use of Microsoft Office Suite is expected.

Work Conditions and Physical Requirements

• The role may require extended time in dusty, wet, hot, or cold environments.
• It involves prolonged sitting and standing, as well as bending, stooping, and climbing.
• Good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity are needed to operate office and laboratory equipment.
• Normal hearing and vision, including color perception, are required for reporting and lab work.
• The position requires lifting up to 50 pounds and exposure to machinery, chemicals, and solvents.
• The job calls for flexibility, sound judgment, calm decision-making under pressure, and the ability to manage conflict.
• The role requires the ability to interpret unclear instructions and work effectively with diverse groups of people.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, planning, and report-writing abilities are necessary.
• Basic math, data entry, and data analysis skills are required.

Compensation

Starting salary is 105K.