Key Responsibilities

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

- Lead the development, implementation, maintenance, verification, and validation of Food Safety and Quality Management Systems.
- Serve as the SQF Practitioner and primary site lead for food safety programs.
- Ensure compliance with SQF, HACCP, FSMA, GMP, Organic, Non-GMO, GFCO, FDA, WSDA, and customer requirements.
- Conduct gap analyses and maintain audit readiness for customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.
- Lead or support external audits and ensure timely implementation of corrective actions.
- Maintain food safety programs related to:
- Allergen management
- Food defense
- Recall and traceability
- Environmental monitoring
- Pest control
- Sanitation
- Supplier approval
- Transportation and storage
- Process preventive controls

- Ensure all program reviews, updates, and significant system changes are documented and communicated appropriately.
- Co-lead monthly Food Safety meetings and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

- Ensure all products are inspected, tested, and released in accordance with company specifications and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee organoleptic, chemical, physical, and microbiological testing programs.
- Conduct and monitor process, packaging, sanitation, and finished-product quality checks.
- Develop, maintain, and improve quality standards, specifications, procedures, and inspection criteria.
- Analyze quality data, trends, and performance metrics to identify improvement opportunities.
- Investigate product deviations, quality incidents, customer complaints, and non-conformances and implement effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).




- Maintain ingredient and raw material specifications and approved supplier documentation.
- Audit suppliers and support supplier quality improvement initiatives.
- Monitor facility conditions and integrity, communicating deficiencies and corrective actions to relevant departments.

Leadership & Team Development

- Lead, coach, mentor, and develop the Quality Assurance team, including supervisors, leads, and technicians.
- Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, inclusion, and continuous learning.
- Partner with People & Culture on recruitment, onboarding, performance management, succession planning, and employee development.
- Conduct regular coaching conversations, performance reviews, and development planning.
- Ensure team members receive appropriate food safety, quality, regulatory, and technical training.
- Act as a liaison between management and team members, ensuring clear communication and alignment across shifts.

Training & Continuous Improvement

- Develop and deliver training programs related to:
- GMPs
- HACCP
- FSMA
- SQF
- Food Defense
- Organic and Non-GMO requirements
- Quality standards and procedures

- Utilize Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement tools to enhance quality systems and operational performance.
- Support the implementation of new products,



equipment, technologies, and processes through testing, validation, training, and documentation.
- Lead and support calibration, environmental monitoring, validation, and verification programs.
- Develop, review, and maintain SOPs, SSOPs, work instructions, forms, and quality documentation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Partner closely with Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and R&D; teams to ensure food safety and quality objectives are achieved.
- Provide technical expertise and support during new product launches and process improvements.
- Communicate quality and food safety performance, risks, and opportunities to site leadership.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, auditors, and regulatory agencies.

Education

- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, or a related field.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

- Solid knowledge of food safety regulations and quality systems.
- Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and root-cause analysis skills.
- Ability to interpret regulations and translate requirements into operational practices.
- Strong leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- High level of integrity, accountability, and attention to detail.
- Strong computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office and quality management systems.

📌 Quality Assurance Manager (Canada)
🏢 Que Pasa Mexican Foods
📍 Canada