Manager, Quality & Food Safety-Low Acid Aseptic Food

Job Summary

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for leading the Quality Assurance, Food Safety, and Regulatory Compliance programs for a low-acid aseptic beverage manufacturing facility producing dairy-based, plant-based (soy), coffee, creamers, and specialty beverage concentrates for the foodservice market. This position ensures compliance with FDA Low-Acid Canned Foods (21 CFR Part 113, where applicable), FSMA Preventive Controls (21 CFR Part 117), aseptic processing requirements, PMO requirements where applicable, customer standards, and GFSI/FSSC 22000 requirements. The QA Manager provides leadership for QA, sanitation, laboratory, environmental monitoring, supplier quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Major Job Functions

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Juice HACCP Plan, FSMA Preventive Controls Plan, Allergen Control, and Environmental Monitoring Programs.
• Oversee the implementation and monitoring of preserved product validations, critical control points, and preventive control records to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
• Ensure compliance with preservative usage regulations, label declarations, and finished product specifications for preserved juice products.
• Supervise the QA team, including lab technicians and sanitation staff. Provide ongoing training, coaching, and development.
• Manage finished product release, hold/release programs, and customer specifications.
• Maintain internal audit programs, perform mock recalls, and manage third-party inspections and regulatory audits (e.g., FDA, SQF, BRC).
• Investigate product non-conformances and customer complaints; lead root cause analysis and implement Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs).
• Manage and verify cleaning validation processes for blending, filling, and CIP systems to prevent microbial and cross-contamination risks.
• Ensure raw material and ingredient suppliers meet quality requirements; support Supplier Verification Program (SVP) and Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP).
• Coordinate with R&D, Operations, and Sales teams during new product commercialization to define quality standards and ensure food safety validation.
• Monitor and verify lab testing results for pH, °Brix, microbiology (e.g., yeast, mold, total plate count), and preservative concentrations.
• Manage and interact with customers and comply to additional food safety and quality standards of customers.
• Oversee and manage the facilities food defense program
• Oversee label and lot code verification, allergen control, and traceability programs.
• Oversee the quality management system components and software ensure all components are up to date.
• Develop training and oversee training implementation on all aspects of quality, foods safety, sanitation and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee and maintain quality inspections, releases and control/disposition of non-conforming materials in ERP (SAP) system.
• Provide support and assistance to Director of Quality as requested.
• Combination of office and production floor environments.
• Must be able to work in refrigerated and ambient conditions.
• May require occasional weekend or off-shift work during audits, commissioning, or production issues.

Required Skills/Abilities/Education

• Strong knowledge of FDA 21 CFR Part 117, Low-Acid Aseptic Processing requirements, GMPs, and FSSC 22000.
• Experience managing aseptic low-acid beverage manufacturing (dairy, soy, coffee, or similar), pasteurization validations, and shelf-life determination.
• Experience with pasteurization validation, preservative efficacy, and shelf-life determination.
• Proficient in MS Office and QA documentation software.
• PCQI certification required; HACCP certification required; FSSC/SQF Lead Auditor preferred.
• Better Process Control School/low-acid food certification.
• Knowledge of commercial sterility, UHT systems, CIP/SIP validation, environmental monitoring, and laboratory management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, data analysis, and problem-solving skills.
• Internal Auditor Certification (preferred)
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of quality assurance experience in beverage or juice manufacturing. At least 4 years in a Quality Manager supervisory role.