Analysis Skills, Chemistry, Communication Skills, Continuous Improvement, Corrective Action, Corrective and Preventative Action (CAPA) Systems, Cross-Functional, Dairy Science, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Work, FDA (Food and Drug Administration), FDA Requirements, Federal Laws and Regulations, Food Microbiology, Food Production, Food Safety, Food Science, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), Internal Audit, Laboratory Operations, Leadership, Maintain Compliance, Manufacturing, Microbiology, Performance Analysis, Performance Metrics, Physical Chemistry, Problem Solving Skills, Quality Assurance, Quality Management, Quality Metrics, Quality Monitoring, Regulations, Regulatory Compliance, Research & Development (R&D), Root Cause Analysis, Safety Systems, Safety/Work Safety, Sanitation, State Laws and Regulations, Supply Chain Management, Team Player, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Willing to Travel
* Position Summary
Corporate Quality Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing quality assurance, food safety, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement programs across multiple dairy manufacturing facilities. This role ensures that all plants consistently produce safe, high-quality products that meet company standards, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory guidelines. The Corporate Quality Manager partners closely with plant leadership, operations, R&D, supply chain, and executive management to drive a strong quality culture throughout the organization.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop, implement, and maintain corporate quality assurance and food safety programs across all dairy plants.
* Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, PMO, FSMA, HACCP, SQF/BRC, GMP, and all applicable state and federal regulations.
* Standardize quality systems, policies, procedures, and documentation across multiple facilities.
* Lead internal audits, plant assessments, and regulatory readiness activities to ensure ongoing compliance.
* Oversee microbiological, chemical, and physical quality standards for raw materials, in-process production, and finished dairy products.
* Monitor and analyze quality performance metrics, customer complaints, non-conformances, and corrective/preventive actions across all sites.
* Drive root cause analysis and corrective action processes related to quality deviations, audit findings, product holds, and customer concerns.
*Qualifications
* Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Quality Assurance, or a related field required.
* Minimum 7–10 years of progressive quality assurance or food safety experience in dairy or food manufacturing, including multi-site responsibility.
* Strong knowledge of dairy processing, pasteurization, sanitation, microbiology, and food safety systems.
* Thorough understanding of PMO requirements, FDA regulations, HACCP, FSMA, GMPs, and third-party audit standards such as SQF or BRC.
* Proven experience leading audits, regulatory inspections, CAPA programs, and quality system improvements.
* Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause investigation skills.
* Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
* Ability to travel regularly to multiple plant locations.
* PCQI, HACCP, SQF Practitioner, or related certifications preferred.
Preferred Skills
* Experience in cultured products, fluid milk, ice cream mixes, or other dairy categories.
* Knowledge of laboratory operations, environmental monitoring programs, and supplier quality systems.
* Familiarity with ERP, quality management, and data reporting systems.
* Ability to influence plant teams and senior leaders in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.