Quality Assurance Manager

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.

With nearly $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.

The construction of fairlife's manufacturing facility in Webster, NY is underway. This state-of-the-art, 750k sq ft, greenfield plant is expected to be operational in late 2025 and will lay the foundation for fairlife's next phase of growth as the leading dairy nutrition provider. While coupling the industry’s latest technologies and fairlife's operational excellence to build this world-class facility, fairlife plans to hire 250 new employees and bring in approximately 5 million lbs. of milk a day, with room to grow over the coming years.

job purpose:

The Quality Assurance (QA) Manager is a key position within the manufacturing leadership team reporting to the site Senior Quality Manager. The QA Manager coordinates, administers, and provides oversite of  quality/food safety program activities under the guidance of the site senior quality manager. The quality manager will serve as backup to the senior quality manager during the manager’s absence and support the development and implementation of quality assurance programs and policies. The QA manager oversees the administration of laboratory testing programs, manages costs against operating budgets, and develops policies for internal quality assurance protocols and procedures in accordance with company policy.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee site quality systems and daily lab management.
• Coordinate activities of QA supervisors and manage special projects.
• Develop and implement quality protocols in line with regulatory requirements.
• Conduct investigations and provide recommendations on product quality issues.
• Design and implement quality programs under the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
• Ensure sustained GFSI compliance in areas like HACCP, Internal Audit, and Document Control.
• Provide guidance on quality assurance practices and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and maintain departmental procedures and SOPs.
• Manage food safety system programs to meet product specifications and customer expectations.
• Ensure compliance with the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) and LACF processes.
• Set and monitor goals, policies, and procedures for continuous improvement.
• Ensure contractor GMP and HACCP compliance.
• Provide training on food safety, quality, and GMP programs.
• Recruit and train quality staff.

Skills/Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Dairy, Food Science, or related discipline preferred; or 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Certifications in HACCP, PCQI/FSMA, FSSC Internal Auditor, and Better Process Control School.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of FDA, state, and local regulations for dairy manufacturing.
• Ability to develop and implement quality assurance strategies and procedures.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, entrepreneurial manufacturing environment.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• 8 hours sitting/standing/walking
• Ability to lift 25 lbs.
• Reaching/bending requirements (if any)
• Exposure to hazards (machinery, confined spaces, etc.)
• Specific atmospheric conditions
• Any other physical requirements

Food Safety Requirements:

• Notify supervision of any repairs or adjustments that are required that may affect product quality or food safety.

• Understand, observe, and comply with the handling and usage of the color-coded container policy while in the Production Areas.
• Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and/or Government requirements/standards as prioritized by the Company.
• Ability to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality system, or safety system.
• Identify and record any problems relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the ingredients,