Quality Assurance Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

Krier Beverage is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to lead the day-to-day quality function at our Random Lake facility. This position is highly focused on managing the laboratory and serving as the primary quality partner to Operations. The Quality Assurance Manager will oversee laboratory activities, testing, quality systems, product release, process monitoring, investigations, and quality-related decision-making on the production floor. The ideal candidate is a hands-on quality professional who is comfortable balancing laboratory management with real-time manufacturing support and who can build strong relationships with Operations while maintaining clear quality standards and accountability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Manage the day-to-day Quality Assurance function for Krier Beverage's single manufacturing facility.

· Lead and manage the plant laboratory, including staffing, scheduling, testing priorities, equipment, supplies, calibration, documentation, and laboratory organization.

· Ensure required raw material, in-process, finished product, packaging, and environmental testing is completed accurately and on schedule.

· Develop, implement, and maintain SOPs for laboratory operations; ensure annual training and documentation.

· Oversee laboratory methods, test procedures, specifications, sampling plans, and quality records.

· Partner closely with Operations throughout each production shift to monitor quality, identify issues early, and support timely corrective action.

· Establish and maintain clear quality expectations for production employees and ensure quality standards are consistently followed on the plant floor.

· Ensure compliance with GMPs, HACCP, Kosher, and all federal, state, and local food safety regulations.

· Coordinate product holds, releases, rework, disposition, and quality-related decisions in partnership with plant leadership.

· Lead investigations into quality deviations, out-of-specification results, customer complaints, process failures, and nonconforming product.

· Use root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) principles to prevent recurring quality issues.

· Trend laboratory and production quality data to identify opportunities for process improvement and early detection of quality problems.

· Maintain accurate quality documentation, records, logs, test results, specifications, and certificates of analysis as applicable.

· Ensure laboratory instruments and measurement equipment are properly maintained, calibrated, verified, and documented.

· Manage laboratory inventory, chemicals, reagents, consumables, and other supplies in a safe and cost-effective manner.

· Develop and maintain laboratory procedures and train laboratory personnel on testing methods, documentation, safety, and good laboratory practices.

· Train and coach Operations employees on quality standards, sampling procedures, product specifications, GMPs, sanitation, and quality expectations.

· Work with Operations and Maintenance to identify process conditions or equipment issues that may affect product quality.

· Support sanitation and environmental monitoring programs and investigate adverse results or trends.

· Coordinate quality requirements for new products, new customers, line changes, process changes, and production trials.

· Support customer audits, regulatory inspections, third-party audits, and internal audits.

· Maintain and improve the facility's food safety and quality systems in partnership with plant leadership.

· Ensure quality practices comply with applicable FDA requirements, GMPs, customer requirements, and Krier Beverage standards.

· Communicate quality performance, significant issues, trends, and corrective actions to plant leadership.

· Promote a culture in which quality is owned by the entire Operations organization rather than viewed solely as a QA responsibility.

LABORATORY MANAGEMENT

· Direct daily laboratory workflow and prioritize testing based on production schedules and quality requirements.

· Establish laboratory schedules and ensure adequate coverage for production needs.

· Maintain laboratory testing accuracy, repeatability, documentation, and turnaround time.

· Manage laboratory equipment, calibration, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and replacement recommendations.

· Maintain appropriate controls for reagents, standards, chemicals, samples, and retained product.

· Review laboratory results and identify trends, anomalies, or potential process problems.

· Ensure laboratory records are complete, traceable, and audit-ready.

· Evaluate and improve laboratory methods and procedures as production needs evolve.

OPERATIONS & DAY-TO-DAY QUALITY

· Serve as the primary QA point of contact for Operations during daily production.

· Be visible and accessible on the production floor and actively participate in quality problem-solving.

· Work with operators and supervisors to identify quality issues before product is produced outside specification.

· Establish appropriate sampling frequencies and communicate results quickly enough to support production decisions.

· Partner with Operations on start-ups, changeovers, new products, line adjustments, and process changes.

· Provide clear direction when product or process conditions do not meet specification.

· Balance quality requirements with production realities while never compromising food safety or product integrity.

· Develop practical quality standards and controls that operators can consistently execute.

CUSTOMER & SUPPLIER QUALITY

· Serve as a key contact for customer quality questions and product-quality investigations.

· Investigate customer complaints and coordinate root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and responses.

· Support supplier quality activities related to ingredients, packaging materials, and other production inputs.

· Review and maintain raw material and finished product specifications.

· Assist with customer-specific quality requirements and documentation.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Quality, or a related technical field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.

· 3+ years of experience in quality assurance or quality control within beverage, other food related manufacturing experience will also be considered.

· HACCP and Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certifications preferred; candidates not currently certified must be willing and able to successfully complete required training within 12 months of hire.

· Laboratory experience, including hands-on testing, laboratory documentation, and quality data review.

· Experience working directly with manufacturing or Operations teams in a plant environment.

· Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.

· Ability to make sound quality decisions in a fast-paced production environment.

· Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate documentation.

· Ability to coach and hold production employees accountable to quality standards.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Experience in beverage manufacturing, bottling, canning, or other high-speed food and beverage production.

· Experience with beverage laboratory testing, including Brix, pH, carbonation, dissolved oxygen, fill volume, and package/seam evaluation.

· Experience with microbiological testing including petrifilm, filtration, and easygel methods.

· Experience with HACCP, Preventive Controls, GMPs, food safety systems, and environmental monitoring.

· Experience with SQF, BRCGS, FSSC 22000, or other GFSI-recognized systems.

· Experience managing or supervising laboratory personnel.

· Experience with customer audits, regulatory inspections, and third-party certification audits.

· Experience with CAPA, root-cause analysis, SPC, statistical trending, and continuous improvement.

· Experience with quality management systems and electronic quality documentation.

· Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and agencies for food and beverage.

· Certification in Lean Management or Six Sigma preferred.

· Must be able to work 50-60 hours a week and nights and weekends if necessary.

· Must be able to effectively communicate, read and comprehend instructions and procedures in English.

· Demonstrate effective leadership through the ability to effectively provide conflict management, demonstrate adaptability and teamwork, developing employees and self, organizing, planning, and delegating when appropriate to meet business goals and objectives.

· Provide continuous improvement through critical thinking and innovative problem solving.

· Effectively communicate and collaborate with other departments.