SR Manager - Corporate Food Safety and Quality

Work Shift:

Day

Pay Type:

Salary

Hourly Rate (if applicable):

N/A

Targeted Base Salary Range (if applicable):

$140,800.00 - $182,600.00

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Senior Manager, Corporate Food Safety & Quality is responsible for leading and strengthening enterprise-wide food safety and quality systems across Blue Diamond Growers’s manufacturing network and co-manufacturing partners.

This role provides corporate oversight, technical leadership, and governance to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, internal standards, and customer expectations while driving continuous improvement and risk reduction.

The position plays a critical leadership role in transitioning production to co-manufacturers, enhancing site-level accountability, and embedding a proactive food safety culture across the organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Corporate FSQA governance and oversight - 40%

• Establish and maintain corporate food safety and quality policies, standards, and programs aligned with FSMA, USDA, Almond Board of California and global regulatory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, including FDA (21CFR117), state requirements and international standards.
• Server as a subject matter expert for regulatory inspections an customer audits.
• Provide oversight to ensure effective implementation of FSQA systems at all manufacturing sites and co-manufacturers.
• Develop FSQA KPIs with analytics and reporting cadence.
• Lead internal audits and verification activities to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
• Oversee the management of the Quality Assurance Laboratory to ensure compliance with regulatory, ISO 17025 and ensures customer expectations are being followed.

Food Safety Risk Management - 35%

• Identify, assess, and mitigate food safety risks across raw materials, processing, and finished products (with emphasis on low-moisture foods and almonds)
• Ensure robust preventive controls, including
• Process controls (e.g., pasteurization validation)
• Allergen management
• Environmental monitoring programs (EMP)
• Crisis Management & Incident Response
• Lead or support food safety and quality incident investigations
• Apply structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., FACTS-based approach)
• Develop communication strategies for internal and external stakeholders
• Ensure timely and effective resolution and documentation
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for food safety or quality incidents
• Administers Company’s pasteurization program to ensure adherence to the Almond Industry Pasteurization Rule.  Works with Process Authority in completing pasteurization validation studies.
• Oversees the management of the Company’s Environmental Monitoring Program and Allergen Control Program.  Facilitates monitoring efforts between QA Laboratory and the Production Facilities.

FSQA Continuous Improvement & Program Development - 15%

• Drive standardization and simplification of FSQA
• Develop metrics, KPIs, and dashboard to measure FSQA performance
• Lead initiatives to improve product quality, reduce waste, and enhance operational efficiency

Training & Development

• Provides and facilitates training of Company personnel and contract staffing. Training to included but not limited to: HACCP, Food Safety, Food Security, Food Quality and Laboratory Policies and Procedures.
• Provides technical assistance and expertise for other departments, customers and regulators.

Performs other duties and responsibilities as required or assigned by Supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• 10+ years of experience in Food Safety & Quality within food manufacturing or CPG
• 5+ years experience in quality auditing in a supervisory capacity.
• Experience with low-moisture foods and/or nut processing strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience managing co-manufacturers and supplier quality programs
• Quality Auditing training certificates (ASQ or CQS) are preferable
• Strong oral and written skills to be able to provide clear and concise instructions.  Ability to interact with people at all levels and promote a teamwork environment.  Provide leadership and motivation while maintain an impartial attitude

Technical Expertise

• Deep knowledge of FSMA, preventive controls, and HACCP principles
• Experience with environmental monitoring programs (EMP), allergen controls, and validation/verificati