Quality Assurance Manager

Job Title: Quality Assurance Manager
Location: Cabot, VT
Compensation: $96,000 - $106,000
Work Arrangement: On-Site

About HV Talent Group  
At HV Talent Group, we help talented professionals like you connect with top employers nationwide. As a trusted recruiting partner to industry-leading companies, we focus on direct-hire placements that align with your career goals, values, and long-term growth.  
We are currently seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to lead food safety, quality systems, and regulatory compliance within a manufacturing environment.  
This is an excellent opportunity for a quality professional who thrives in a fast-paced production setting and is passionate about maintaining the highest standards in food safety, product quality, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.  
Position Overview  
The Quality Assurance Manager will provide leadership for all food safety and quality programs within a manufacturing facility while overseeing quality assurance operations in a 24/7 production environment.  
This individual will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining food safety programs, leading quality initiatives, managing audits and certifications, and ensuring that all products consistently meet regulatory requirements and established quality standards.  
Working closely with production, laboratory, sanitation, and operations teams, the Quality Assurance Manager will play a critical role in driving continuous improvement while promoting a strong culture of food safety throughout the facility.  
Key Responsibilities  

• Lead all food safety and quality assurance programs within the manufacturing facility.  
• Manage and provide leadership to quality assurance personnel, laboratory staff, and sanitation teams.  
• Oversee laboratory testing for raw materials, finished products, and environmental samples to ensure quality standards are consistently achieved.  
• Maintain laboratory operations, including staffing, scheduling, equipment, testing procedures, and compliance requirements.  
• Ensure compliance with all food safety programs, including HACCP, SQF, GMP, food defense, and pest control programs.  
• Develop and deliver employee training related to food safety, sanitation, and quality procedures.  
• Lead customer, regulatory, and third-party audits while managing corrective action plans and certification requirements.  
• Serve as the site's food safety leader and promote a strong food safety culture throughout the organization.  
• Manage product disposition programs, including hold, release, rework, and rejection procedures.  
• Develop, maintain, and update quality assurance policies, procedures, and documentation.  
• Coordinate recall readiness activities, including mock recalls and product traceability exercises.  
• Investigate customer complaints, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.  
• Oversee environmental monitoring programs and manage corrective and preventive action processes.  
• Monitor and analyze quality metrics and key performance indicators while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.  
• Conduct routine facility inspections and provide technical support to cross-functional teams.  
• Collaborate with operations and manufacturing teams to improve production processes and product quality.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a scientific field.  
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a food manufacturing or dairy environment.  
• Strong knowledge of microbiology, food science, HACCP, and SQF principles.  
• Minimum of 5 years of management or senior supervisory experience.  
• Experience developing and managing quality assurance metrics and key performance indicators.  
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  
• Experience interpreting and implementing regulatory requirements.  
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while working independently and collaboratively.  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Word.  
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop teams.  
• Knowledge of sanitation operations and modern sanitation practices.  

• HACCP certification.  
• Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification.  
• SQF certification.  
• Continuous improvement experience.  
• Project management experience. 
• Dairy manufacturing experience.  

• Opportunity to lead quality and food safety initiatives within a dynamic manufacturing environment.  
• Play a critical role in driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.  
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in a highly technical and quality-focused setting.  
• Long-term career growth and leadership opportunities.  
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.