Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance Manager

Mankato, MN

70-90K + Bonus + Full Benefits + Paid Relocation

The  Quality Assurance Manager  is the  leading member of the site quality leadership team . This critical role is responsible for ensuring that all products manufactured at the site are  safe ,  compliant  with company, customer, and regulatory standards, and consistently meet  quality expectations . This individual will provide essential analytical insight, oversee site program maintenance and implementation, and leverage product and process knowledge while actively collaborating with Manufacturing, Product Development, Supply Chain, and Customer Service teams.

Essential Functions

Quality Program Execution and Maintenance

Partner with the site food quality and food safety teams to actively apply living Food Safety, Food Quality plans, and prerequisite programs.

Utilize operational excellence processes to drive quality priorities and change initiatives.

Maintain the site in a continuous audit-ready state.

Compliance, KPI's, and Operational Excellence

Accountable for quality performance and  Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)  through auditing, execution, and follow-ups.

Demonstrate ability to prioritize and bring visibility to non-conformances and key drivers impacting KPI's.

Assign actions for containment, correction, and prevention; drive  root cause analysis  and effective quality commercialization reviews, including specification reviews.

Incorporate operational excellence principles into daily ways of working.

Talent Management and Development

Provide technical expertise and accountability for a  high-functioning quality team .

Partner with cross-functional groups to ensure structured onboarding is implemented site-wide.

Ensure ongoing training is structured to drive team success and skill development.

Systems, Culture, and Issue Management

Establish a Culture of Quality and Systems  by driving the adoption of system tools and skill development within the function.

Responsible for ensuring food safety and quality, and / or customer issues are  escalated  for visibility and resource allocation in a timely manner.

Lead the preparation for customer visits and external audits.

Strategic Partnership

Partner with site leaders and cross-functional teams for goal setting, decision-making alignment, and training and development needs.

Support Supply Chain, Learning and Development, and Commercialization functions as needed.

Responsibilities

Area

Focus

People

Develop and manage the performance of the site quality team. Build strong cross-functional relationships and influence site strategy & execution. Drive a culture of quality improvements; deliver and maintain current training focused on food safety and quality.

Systems

Accountable for the effective application of site  Product Safety, Product Quality and prerequisite systems . Ensure they interface effectively with change control and commercialization processes. Strong ability to root cause issues and prevent recurrence via persistent pursuit of higher hierarchical levels of control.

Performance

Bring visibility to priorities with the largest positive impact on KPIs (e.g., Inspection / Compliance, First Pass Quality, Complaints, Disposals, Inventory Health, CAPA closure). Ensure professional and timely response to customers, inspectors, and auditors. Collaborate on new product / customer launches to quantify success probability and communicate risks / mitigations.

ERP / LIMS

Ability to become the site power user for  ERP and LIMS systems .

Knowledge & Experience

Experience operating in an  FDA-regulated environment , ideally food or dietary supplement.

Ability to assess and mitigate food safety, regulatory, and cost risks.

Effective application of sanitation principles.

Proven track record as an effective  project manager  with ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.

Experience with the execution of  CAPA  (Corrective and Preventive Action) and  Customer Complaint systems .

Requirements and Qualifications

Education :  Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent relevant work experience.

Experience :   2+ years  of experience in the food, supplement, or related industry.

• Skills :

Team Leadership Experience

Project Management & Change Management Experience

Familiarity with  FDA  regulations.

Familiarity with a  GFSI Scheme  (e.g., SQF, BRC).

Certification :   PCQI  (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification is required.

Physical :  Ability to lift 50 lbs; required to stand, walk, sit, and reach.