Senior QA Manager – Fsqr

Senior QA Manager – Fsqr

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in Food Safety & Quality within the human food industry and manufacturing environments
• Deep knowledge of FDA, USDA, and GFSI compliance standards
• 3+ years of direct experience managing food safety programs at third-party manufacturing sites
• Strong background in food product development, production processes, and core food safety principles
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Microbiology, Food Safety, Quality Management, or a related field
• Expert understanding of FDA and USDA regulations and documentation requirements
• Certified in PCQI and HACCP (including Seafood HACCP); ASQ certification preferred
• Experienced in conducting food safety audits and applying Lean Manufacturing tools for root cause analysis
• Excellent communication skills, including presenting, report writing, and training across all organizational levels
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access) and Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms)
• Skilled in using statistical and analytical tools to support quality and safety initiatives
• Willing and able to travel 30–50%

Responsibilities

• Own the execution of Food Safety and Quality programs at third-party manufacturing partners
• Lead Root Cause Analysis and implement Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) in response to quality or food safety issues
• Provide practical food safety expertise and guidance to support manufacturing site operations
• Oversee the implementation and ongoing optimization of The Farmer’s Dog microbiological program, including risk assessments and compliance monitoring
• Support investigations and resolution of escalated complaints involving key regulatory agencies (e.g., USDA, FDA, AAFCO)
• Make complex, risk-based food safety decisions that ensure compliance with regulatory and internal standards while enabling reliable product delivery
• Conduct food safety, quality, and regulatory risk assessments and audits for new manufacturing partners, suppliers, and fulfillment centers
• Analyze data to identify trends and issues, using insights to guide food safety and quality improvements and cross-functional education
• Monitor and evaluate contract manufacturers to ensure alignment with The Farmer’s Dog food safety and quality standards
• Demonstrate a proactive approach to identifying and solving complex food safety and quality challenges
• Apply strong communication and influencing skills to implement effective problem resolution
• Lead cross-functional teams to drive adherence to food safety initiatives, CAPA execution, and process improvements at contract manufacturers
• Direct day-to-day food safety and quality activities within assigned areas of responsibility
• Engage and coordinate with subject matter experts to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance and high food safety standards
• Exhibit strong project management capabilities across multiple concurrent initiatives
• Display confidence and sound judgment in making and defending tough decisions
• Collaborate effectively with co-manufacturers, supplier QA teams, product development partners, and third-party service providers
• Provide technical data and decision-making support on issues related to food safety and product quality
• Partner with the Sr. Manager, Quality Engineer and cross-functional teams to apply early management tools to all new product launches

Preferred Qualifications

• ASQ certification preferred
• The preferred candidate would be based in Eastern Iowa, Central Indiana, Central Texas, or the Chicagoland area.