Quality Assurance Supervisor

Food Products is a dynamic and rapidly growing private equity-backed portfolio company within the food industry. We specialize in the manufacture and distribution of specialty sauces across North America, with a commitment to delivering high-quality products and innovative solutions to our customers.  

As we navigate a period of expansion and strategic initiatives, we are seeking a  Quality Supervisor to join our team and contribute to the company's success. 

Position Summary

The Quality Assurance Supervisor is responsible for supervising daily Quality Assurance activities and ensuring that products, processes, and facility operations comply with company standards, customer requirements, regulatory requirements, and the facility's SQF-certified Food Safety and Quality Management System.

This position provides hands-on leadership to QA personnel, supports production and food safety operations, verifies compliance with HACCP and preventive controls, manages nonconformances and corrective actions, and maintains the facility in a state of continuous audit readiness.

The QA Supervisor serves as a key liaison between Quality Assurance, Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, Warehouse, and Management to ensure that food safety and quality requirements are consistently implemented.

Essential Responsibilities

1. QA Department Supervision

• Supervise, train, schedule, and develop QA technicians and other assigned personnel.
• Assign daily QA activities based on production schedules, risk, and department priorities.
• Monitor completion and accuracy of QA inspections, testing, and documentation.
• Ensure QA personnel consistently follow established procedures and work instructions.
• Provide coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations for QA employees.
• Ensure adequate QA coverage across shifts and production areas.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, and a strong food safety culture.

2. SQF Food Safety & Quality System

• Support implementation and maintenance of the site's SQF Food Safety and Quality Management System.
• Ensure applicable SQF requirements are incorporated into daily QA activities.
• Maintain awareness of current SQF Code requirements and company procedures.
• Support internal audits, certification audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Assist HACCP Coordinator with preparation of objective evidence and documentation for audits.
• Track audit findings and ensure corrective actions are completed within established deadlines.
• Participate in management review and continuous improvement activities as assigned.
• Maintain the department in a state of continual audit readiness.

3. Quality Control & Product Release

• Verify raw materials, work-in-process, finished products, packaging, and processes meet established specifications.
• Review product testing and inspection results.
• Monitor product quality trends and identify recurring issues.
• Support product release and hold/release procedures.
• Ensure nonconforming products are properly identified, controlled, and documented.
• Assist with evaluation and disposition of products that does not meet specifications.
• Communication quality concerns promptly Production and Management.

4. Sanitation & GMP Compliance

• Conduct or supervise GMP, sanitation, and facility inspections.
• Verify compliance with employee hygiene and sanitation requirements.
• Monitor pre-operational and operational sanitation activities as applicable.
• Review sanitation records and corrective actions.
• Escalate conditions may create food safety or product quality risk.
• Work with Sanitation and Operations to resolve recurring sanitation deficiencies.

5. Environmental Monitoring & Allergen Control

• Support implementation of the facility's environmental monitoring program.
• Review environmental monitoring results and ensure appropriate follow-up.
• Assist with investigation of positive environmental results and corrective actions.
• Verify allergen controls and changeover procedures.
• Review allergen testing and verification activities where applicable.
• Support allergen-related risk assessments and corrective actions.

6. Nonconformance & Corrective Action

• Identify and document products, process, and system nonconformances.
• Lead or participate in root-cause investigations.
• Coordinate corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Verify effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Monitor recurring issues and communicate trends to management.
• Ensure quality incidents are documented and resolved in a timely manner.

7. Internal Audits & Continuous Improvement

• Participate in or lead internal audits as assigned.
• Conduct GMP, sanitation, process, documentation, and food safety audits.
• Document findings and verify corrective actions.
• Analyze QA data and trends to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to food safety, quality, waste reduction, and process control.

8. Traceability, Recall & Food Safety Incidents

• Participate in traceability and mock recall exercises.
• Verify effectiveness of product identification and traceability systems.
• Assist with product recall and withdrawal activities.
• Support investigation of customer complaints and food safety incidents.
• Ensure appropriate product controls are implemented when a food safety concern is identified.

9. Documentation & Record Control

• Ensure QA records are complete, accurate, legible, and maintained according to company requirements.
• Review of QA documentation for compliance and completeness.
• Maintain controlled forms, procedures, specifications, and work instructions.
• Ensure records are properly retained and readily available for audit.
• Identify documentation deficiencies and implement corrective action.

10. Training

• Train and coach QA employees on applicable procedures and requirements.
• Support GMP, HACCP, food safety, allergen, sanitation, and quality training.
• Verify that employees understand their food safety and quality responsibilities.
• Maintain training records as required.
• Reinforce food safety expectations through routine communication and coaching.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Food Safety, Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field; equivalent food industry experience may be considered.
• 2–5 years of experience in food manufacturing Quality Assurance, Food Safety, or a related field.
• HACCP training.
• Working knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, sanitation, allergen control, and food safety principles.
• Previous supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
• Strong documentation, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends or off shifts, as required by production needs.

Preferred

• SQF Practitioner training or experience.
• PCQI training.
• Experience with SQF certification audits.
• Experience with environmental monitoring programs.
• Internal Auditor training.
• Experience with root-cause analysis and CAPA.
• Experience with traceability and mock recall programs.
• Experience with customer and regulatory audits.
• Knowledge of BRCGS, FSSC 22000, or other GFSI-benchmarked standards.

Core Competencies

• Food safety leadership
• Team supervision and development
• Quality systems management
• HACCP and preventive controls
• SQF compliance
• Risk-based decision making
• Root-cause analysis
• Corrective and preventive action
• Internal auditing
• Problem solving
• Documentation and recordkeeping
• Communication
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Attention to detail
• Continuous improvement

Authority & Accountability

• The QA Supervisor is responsible for escalating any condition that may compromise food safety, legality, authenticity, or product quality.
• In accordance with company procedures, the QA Supervisor may place product on hold, recommend product disposition, require corrective action, stop or escalate production activities when food safety or quality requirements are not being met, and prevent release of product that does not meet established requirements.
• The QA Supervisor is accountable for ensuring that QA personnel perform assigned inspections, monitoring, verification, and documentation activities accurately and consistently.

What We Offer

At Tulkoff Foods, we value our employees and are committed to providing a positive work environment with competitive benefits and work-life balance.

Our Benefits Include:

• 401(k) with an 8% employer match on employee contributions
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Employer-paid Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Two Floating Holidays
• Monthly Town Hall Lunches
• Additional voluntary benefit options
• Air-conditioned production environment
• Full-time schedules with minimal overtime, weekend work is seldom required

Pre-Employment Requirements

This position is contingent upon successful passing a background check and drug screen.