QA Supervisor (Food Manufacturing)

General Description: The Quality Assurance Supervisor is responsible for overseeing daily food safety and quality assurance operations across production shifts in a USDA- and FDA-regulated food manufacturing environment. This position provides direct supervision and leadership to QA Technicians, ensures consistent execution of food safety and quality programs, and drives accountability for compliance with regulatory, customer, and company requirements.

The QA Supervisor works closely with Production, Sanitation, Warehouse, Maintenance, and other cross-functional teams to ensure food safety and quality standards are consistently maintained throughout manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for independently managing routine QA activities, reviewing and verifying records, addressing nonconformances, coordinating investigations and corrective actions, and escalating significant food safety or quality risks to the QA Manager.

The QA Supervisor serves as the primary operational leader for the QA team and supports the QA Manager in maintaining regulatory compliance, audit readiness, employee development, and continuous improvement of food safety and quality systems.

Essential Duties

• Support implementation and maintenance of HACCP, FSMA, GMP, SSOP, allergen, and food safety programs.
• Verify compliance with USDA, FDA, SQF, customer, and company requirements.
• Assist with pre-operational inspections, environmental monitoring, and sanitation verification activities.
• Support internal audits, third-party audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Review and verify production records, QA documentation, and monitor logs for accuracy and completeness.
• Assist with product hold, release, and disposition activities.
• Supervise and support QA Technicians across production shifts.
• Provide floor support during production to ensure adherence to food safety and quality standards.
• Monitor GMP compliance and address non-conformance issues in a timely manner.
• Coordinate sampling, inspections, and quality checks during production.
• Assist with investigation of deviations, customer complaints, and quality incidents.
• Support corrective and preventive action (CAPA) activities and follow-up.
• Train and coach QA Technicians and production employees on food safety and quality procedures.
• Support onboarding and continuous training initiatives.
• Promote a positive food safety culture throughout the facilities.
• Communicate effectively with cross-functional teams including Production, Sanitation, Warehouse, and Maintenance.
• Maintain organized and audit-ready QA records and documentation.
• Assist with trend analysis, program improvements, and process verification activities.
• Support implementation of continuous improvement initiatives related to food safety, quality, and sanitation programs.
• Participate in development and revision of SOPs, SSOPs, and quality procedures. Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Food Safety, Quality Management, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in food manufacturing, food safety, or quality assurance, preferably in a USDA- and/or FDA-regulated environment.
• Previous experience supervising, leading, training, or coordinating the work of QA personnel.
• Working knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, sanitation programs, allergen controls, and applicable food safety requirements.
• Experience reviewing food safety and production records, managing nonconformances, and supporting investigations and corrective actions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage daily priorities, make sound operational decisions, and escalate significant risks appropriately.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with QMS, ERP, CAPA, or other quality management systems.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to documentation accuracy, regulatory compliance, and food safety.

Preferred Qualifications

• HACCP certification or equivalent food safety training.
• SQF, BRC, or other GFSI audit experience preferred.
• Previous leadership or team lead experience preferred.
• Experience implementing or improving QA systems, procedures, and performance metrics.
• Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Chinese is a plus. Physical Requirements and Work Environment:
• The work environment can vary from office settings to plants, warehouses, or transportation hubs, potentially exposing employees to noise, temperature changes, and other environmental factors.
• Involve extended periods of sitting, standing, and walking, with potential for occasional lifting, bending, and stooping, along with the ability to use hands and fingers for computer work.
• May be required to travel between Oakland and the San Leandro Plant.
• Lift objects up to 50 pounds or potentially heavier loads with assistance. Schedule:
• Monday – Friday
• Some weekends depend on business needs. Note: This position is not budgeted for relocation.