Quality Assurance Manager
Posted
Summary
Leads the quality management system and food safety programs at a juice/beverage manufacturing plant, ensuring FDA, FSMA, HACCP, and GFSI (SQF/BRC) compliance, overseeing lab operations and audits, and developing quality and lab staff. Reports to the V.P. of Technical Services in North Lake Wales, FL.
Join the Team at Florida’s Natural Growers – Now Hiring: Quality Assurance Manager!
Summary:
The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for leading the quality management system and food safety programs to ensure the production of safe, high-quality beverages that meet regulatory, customer, and company standards. This role partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Procurement, and Supply Chain to drive continuous improvement, regulatory compliance, and a culture of quality throughout the manufacturing organization.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with strong technical knowledge of food safety, beverage manufacturing, regulatory compliance, and team development. This position reports directly to the V.P. of Technical Services.
Key responsibilities/Essential functions:
Quality & Food Safety Leadership
- Lead and manage all Quality Assurance and Quality Control functions throughout the manufacturing process.
- Maintain and continuously improve the Food Safety Management System (FSMS).
- Ensure compliance with:
- FDA regulations
- FSMA Preventive Controls
- Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs)
- HACCP
- SQF, BRC, or equivalent GFSI certification
- Customer quality requirements
- Serve as the Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), if certified.
- Champion a strong food safety and quality culture across the organization.
Regulatory & Compliance
- Maintain facility readiness for regulatory, customer, and third-party audits.
- Lead FDA inspections and customer audits.
- Manage corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Monitor regulatory changes and implement necessary updates.
- Ensure compliance with sanitation, allergen control, environmental monitoring, traceability, and recall programs.
Laboratory & Quality Systems
- Oversee laboratory operations including:
- Microbiological testing
- Chemical analysis
- Finished product testing
- Raw material evaluations
- Review quality metrics and trends.
- Establish statistical process controls where applicable.
- Manage calibration and verification of laboratory equipment.
Operations Partnership
- Work collaboratively with Production to improve process capability and product consistency.
- Investigate customer complaints and internal quality issues.
- Lead root cause analysis using structured problem-solving tools.
- Drive process improvements that reduce waste, improve yields, and enhance product quality.
Leadership & Talent Development
- Lead, coach, and develop Quality Supervisors, Technicians, and Laboratory personnel.
- Conduct performance evaluations and employee development planning.
- Promote accountability, teamwork, and continuous learning.
- Ensure appropriate staffing and scheduling.
Continuous Improvement
- Utilize Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Analyze quality KPIs and implement improvement initiatives.
- Support new product launches and process validations.
- Participate in cross-functional continuous improvement teams.
Knowledge, Experience & Education
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or related field.
- 5-8 years of progressive food safety or quality leadership experience in food or beverage manufacturing.
- Minimum 2 years leadership experience managing quality teams.
- Strong knowledge of:
- HACCP
- FSMA
- GMPs
- SQF/BRC
- FDA regulations
- Sanitation programs
- Environmental monitoring
- Experience leading FDA, customer, and third-party audits.
- Experience leading internal and external audits.
- Experience with root cause analysis and CAPA management.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Certified HACCP Manager.
- PCQI Certification Preferred
- SQF Practitioner certification.
- Experience in juice, dairy, or beverage manufacturing.
- Knowledge of allergen management and food defense programs.
- Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement experience.
- ASQ Certified Quality Manager (CMQ/OE) or Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Food Safety Leadership
- Strategic Thinking
- People Development
- Regulatory Compliance
- Decision Making
- Continuous Improvement
- Change Management
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Coaching & Mentoring
- Attention to Detail
- Data Analysis
- Customer Focus
Physical Requirements
- Frequent walking throughout manufacturing areas.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
- Ability to climb stairs and ladders as needed.
- Ability to work in wet, cold, hot, and refrigerated environments.
- Must wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
About Florida’s Natural
At Florida’s Natural, goodness runs through our veins. We’re a citrus co-op with roots deep in the Florida soil. We care for our trees, our fruit, our land, and each other. We’re the farmers and families of Florida’s Natural. Our juices are the life’s work of generations of farmers. From the highest-quality ingredients to the highest standards for flavor, we care about it all. We craft goodness into every glass for a difference you can taste. And we don’t stop at juice. Every part of the fruit that’s leftover is recycled to make fragrances, flavors, animal feed, and more. Because goodness never goes to waste.
At Florida’s Natural, goodness runs through our veins. We’re a citrus co-op with roots deep in the Florida soil. We care for our trees, our fruit, our land, and each other. We’re the farmers and families of Florida’s Natural. Our juices are the life’s work of generations of farmers. From the highest-quality ingredients to the highest standards for flavor, we care about it all. We craft goodness into every glass for a difference you can taste. And we don’t stop at juice. Every part of the fruit that’s leftover is recycled to make fragrances, flavors, animal feed, and more. Because goodness never goes to waste.
Apply to join our growing community and expand the possibilities of your career.
FLORIDA’S NATURAL CAREERS
Goodness is our Nature!
Goodness is our Nature!
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Florida’s Natural Growers also maintains affirmative action programs to implement our equal employment opportunity policy.