Quality Assurance Supervisor

Food Products is a dynamic and rapidly growing private equity-backed portfolio company within the food industry. We specialize in the manufacture and distribution of specialty sauces across North America, with a commitment to delivering high-quality products and innovative solutions to our customers.

As we navigate a period of expansion and strategic initiatives, we are seeking a Quality Supervisor to join our team and contribute to the company's success.

Position Summary

The Quality Assurance Supervisor is responsible for supervising daily Quality Assurance activities and ensuring that products, processes, and facility operations comply with company standards, customer requirements, regulatory requirements, and the facility's SQF-certified Food Safety and Quality Management System.

This position provides hands-on leadership to QA personnel, supports production and food safety operations, verifies compliance with HACCP and preventive controls, manages nonconformances and corrective actions, and maintains the facility in a state of continuous audit readiness.

The QA Supervisor serves as a key liaison between Quality Assurance, Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, Warehouse, and Management to ensure that food safety and quality requirements are consistently implemented.

Essential Responsibilities

1. QA Department Supervision

• Supervise, train, schedule, and develop QA technicians and other assigned personnel.
• Assign daily QA activities based on production schedules, risk, and department priorities.
• Monitor completion and accuracy of QA inspections, testing, and documentation.
• Ensure QA personnel consistently follow established procedures and work instructions.
• Provide coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations for QA employees.
• Ensure adequate QA coverage across shifts and production areas.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, and a strong food safety culture.

2. SQF Food Safety & Quality System

• Support implementation and maintenance of the site's SQF Food Safety and Quality Management System.
• Ensure applicable SQF requirements are incorporated into daily QA activities.
• Maintain awareness of current SQF Code requirements and company procedures.
• Support internal audits, certification audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Assist HACCP Coordinator with preparation of objective evidence and documentation for audits.
• Track audit findings and ensure corrective actions are completed within established deadlines.
• Participate in management review and continuous improvement activities as assigned.
• Maintain the department in a state of continual audit readiness.

3. Quality Control & Product Release

• Verify raw materials, work-in-process, finished products, packaging, and processes meet established specifications.
• Review product testing and inspection results.
• Monitor product quality trends and identify recurring issues.
• Support product release and hold/release procedures.
• Ensure nonconforming products are properly identified, controlled, and documented.
• Assist with evaluation and disposition of products that does not meet specifications.
• Communication quality concerns promptly Production and Management.

4. Sanitation & GMP Compliance

• Conduct or supervise GMP, sanitation, and facility inspections.
• Verify compliance with employee hygiene and sanitation requirements.
• Monitor pre-operational and operational sanitation activities as applicable.
• Review sanitation records and corrective actions.
• Escalate conditions may create food safety or product quality risk.
• Work with Sanitation and Operations to resolve recurring sanitation deficiencies.

5. Environmental Monitoring & Allergen Control

• Support implementation of the facility's environmental monitoring program.
• Review environmental monitoring results and ensure appropriate follow-up.
• Assist with investigation of positive environmental results and corrective actions.
• Verify allergen controls and changeover procedures.
• Review allergen testing and verification activities where applicable.
• Support allergen-related risk assessments and corrective actions.

6. Nonconformance & Corrective Action

• Identify and document products, process, and system nonconformances.
• Lead or participate in root-cause investigations.
• Coordinate corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Verify effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Monitor recurring issues and communicate trends to management.
• Ensure quality incidents are documented and resolved in a timely manner.

7. Internal Audits & Continuous Improvement

• Participate in or lead internal audits as assigned.
• Conduct GMP, sanitation, process, documentation, and food safety audits.
• Document findings and verify corrective actions.
• Analyze QA data and trends to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to food safety, quality, waste reduction, and process control.

8. Traceability, Recall & Food Safety Incidents

• Participate in traceability and mock recall exercises.
• Verify effectiveness of product identification and traceability systems.
• Assist with product recall and withdrawal activities.
• Support investigation of customer complaints and food safety incidents.
• Ensure appropriate product controls are implemented when a food safety concern is identified.

9. Documentation & Record Control

• Ensure QA records are complete, accurate, legible, and maintained according to company requirements.
• Review of QA documentation for compliance and completeness.
• Maintain controlled forms, procedures, specifications, and work instructions.
• Ensure records are properly retained and readily available for audit.
• Identify documentation deficiencies and implement corrective action.

10. Training

• Train and coach QA employees on applicable procedures and requirements.
• Support GMP, HACCP, food safety, allergen, sanitation, and quality training.
• Verify that employees understand their food safety and quality responsibilities.
• Maintain training records as required.
• Reinforce food safety expectations through routine communication and coaching.