Senior Manager FSQA

gpac is partnered with a growing organization in the food and pet food manufacturing industry seeking an experienced Sr. Manager, Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) to lead enterprise food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance initiatives. This role would be based in Kalamazoo, MI. 

This position will oversee corporate and site-level FSQA teams, strengthen food safety and quality systems, manage regulatory and certification requirements, and support manufacturing operations and external partners.

The ideal candidate is a strategic FSQA leader with strong technical expertise, proven team leadership, and experience driving compliance and continuous improvement across multiple facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Animal Science, Biology, or a related technical field; equivalent relevant experience considered.
• 10+ years of experience in food safety, quality assurance, or regulatory affairs within food, pet food, animal nutrition, ingredients, or related manufacturing.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing teams, developing FSQA programs, and driving accountability across departments or locations.
• Experience leading GFSI certification programs, regulatory inspections, customer audits, and corrective action initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of FDA regulations, FSMA, HACCP, preventive controls, GMPs, supplier controls, sanitation, traceability, and recall management.
• Experience with labeling and regulatory frameworks, including AAFCO, along with applicable import/export requirements.
• Multi-site manufacturing, co-manufacturer, contract warehouse, or supplier quality experience preferred.
• Strong communication, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and make sound, risk-based decisions.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% and respond to critical FSQA issues outside normal business hours when needed.

Preferred Certifications

• SQF Practitioner or equivalent GFSI qualification.
• Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI).
• HACCP certification.
• Internal Auditor training.
• Advanced SQF Practitioner or comparable GFSI training.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive Base Salary
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• 401(k) and other benefits, as applicable.
• Opportunity to lead enterprise-level FSQA strategy and team development.
• Professional growth and long-term career development.

If you are an experienced food safety, quality, and regulatory leader looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact across manufacturing operations, reach out to Chelsea at Chelsea.Barros@gogpac.com for a confidential conversation.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.

GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.