Quality Assurance Manager- Food Manufacturing Industry

Who We Are

Magnolia Foods LLC is a leading manufacturer of corn and flour tortillas, wraps, sopes, chips, buñuelos, sheet cakes, and other baked goods. The company partners with reputable national suppliers to ensure high-quality raw materials. In less than twelve years, Magnolia Foods has become one of the top producers in the industry, servicing major national retail accounts and earning recognition for specialty products such as sopes, huaraches, and buñuelos.

Job Summary

The Quality Assurance (QA) Manager is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of food safety and quality programs in a high-speed food manufacturing environment. This role ensures compliance with FDA, FSMA, GFSI (SQF), and customer-specific requirements while driving operational excellence and a strong food safety culture. The QA Manager leads QA teams, oversees audit readiness, and champions initiatives that improve product quality, process efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Salary

• $90,000 – $110,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and demonstrated expertise

Key Responsibilities

Quality Systems & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead the implementation and maintenance of HACCP, PCQI, Preventive Controls, and allergen management programs
• Serve as the facility’s SQF Practitioner and lead all GFSI (SQF) initiatives
• Ensure audit readiness for third-party, customer, and regulatory inspections
• Maintain compliance with FDA, FSMA, GMPs, OSHA, and EPA requirements
• Conduct root cause investigations for customer complaints, deviations, and recalls; lead CAPA programs
• Review and approve product labeling, including nutrition facts, ingredient declarations, and allergen statements

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Supervise, mentor, and develop QA team members through training, coaching, and performance evaluations
• Collaborate with Production, Sanitation, R&D, and Supply Chain to align on quality and food safety objectives
• Facilitate food safety and quality training programs across all levels of the organization

Product Quality & Process Improvement

• Validate new product formulations, ingredient changes, and equipment modifications through trials and testing
• Lead shelf-life studies, microbiological testing, and sensory evaluation programs
• Analyze quality data (SPC, trends, complaints) to drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Optimize raw material usage and ensure compliance with customer and internal specifications

Documentation & Audit Management

• Oversee preparation and maintenance of QA records, manuals, SOPs, and specifications
• Perform as Lead Auditor for internal audits and follow up on non-conformances
• Coordinate product traceability activities and lead mock recalls in accordance with company policy

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in food science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field

Certifications (Preferred)

• HACCP Certification
• PCQI Certification
• SQF Practitioner Certification
• Internal Auditor Certification

Experience

• 7–10 years of progressive experience in food manufacturing quality assurance (bakery, tortilla, or snack industry preferred)
• Minimum 5 years of QA management experience, including team leadership
• Proven success with GFSI certification programs and regulatory audits
• Demonstrated experience handling recalls, quality deviations, and customer complaints

Skills

• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities (RCA, SPC, data analysis)
• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• Proficiency in QA systems, ERP systems, and Microsoft Excel
• Strong organizational and time management skills