FSQA Manager

**Job Summary:

**

The FSQA Manager leads Oakhouse Bakery's Food Safety & Quality programs to ensure products are safe, compliant, and consistently high quality. This role drives SQF certification, regulatory compliance (FDA, DATCP), customer/certification standards (USDA Organic, OU Kosher, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, Rainforest Alliance), CAPA process, and continuous improvement. The FSQA Manager also serves as a people leader, mentoring and developing a team of 8 Quality professionals and overseeing a 21-person Sanitation team.

Reports to: Director of Operations

Positions Supervised: 8 Quality and 21 Sanitation team members

**Responsibilities:

**

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Quality and Sanitation teams through coaching, training, recognition, and accountability.
• Foster a proactive food safety culture built on servant leadership, open communication, and team empowerment.
• Manage the Food Safety Plan (HACCP/Preventive Controls) including hazard analysis, CCP/CP monitoring, verification, and ongoing improvement.
• Ensure SQF certification readiness and compliance with regulatory requirements, customer standards, and third-party certifications.
• Oversee allergen control, environmental monitoring, sanitation verification, and positive release programs.
• Drive CAPA investigations, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement projects with cross-functional teams.
• Lead internal and external audits, regulatory inspections, and serve as the primary quality contact for customers and certifiers.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, R&D, and Supply Chain to ensure robust controls, proper documentation, and risk-based decision making.
• Drive employee training on GMPs, allergens, food defense, and other key programs; ensure knowledge is applied on the floor.
• Track and communicate FSQA performance metrics (complaints, audit results, swabbing trends) to senior leadership.

**Qualifications:

**

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or related discipline; or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of Food Safety/Quality experience with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Experienced in Food Safety and Quality audit management and response.
• HACCP, PCQI, and SQF practitioner experience strongly desired.
• Proven ability to build, mentor, and lead large teams with diverse skill sets.
• Knowledge of SQF/GFSI standards, FDA 21 CFR regulations, allergen controls, and EMP best practices.
• Strong skills in data analysis, problem-solving, and decision making.
• Excellent communication and training abilities; bilingual English/Spanish a plus.
• Hands-on, visible leader willing to support off-shift investigations, training, and audits as needed.

**Work Environment

**:

This role is primarily on-site with a daytime schedule, but flexibility is required for off-shift support, audits, or investigations. The FSQA Manager works across production, warehouse, and sanitation environments and is expected to be a strong presence on the floor.

You should be proficient in:

• Leadership / People Management
• Bachelor's Degree