Quality Manager

** THIS IS NOT A ROLE WITH FORCEBRANDS ** *THIS ROLE IS 5X A WEEK ONSITE IN VERNON* *MUST HAVE FOOD/BEVERAGE FSQA EXPERIENCE* Key Responsibilities Build the Quality System ? Convert a primarily paper-based quality program into a repeatable, audit-ready operating system, including document control, internal audit cadence, training records, CAPA tracking, and traceability/mock recall processes, beginning with practical tools and scaling as the business grows. Food Safety & GFSI / Audit Ownership ? Own and maintain the site Food Safety & Quality Management System (HACCP, GMPs, SOPs, prerequisite programs), ensuring audit readiness year-round. ? Lead third-party and customer audits/inspections (e.g., IFS/SQF-type programs), including internal audits, mock recalls, corrective actions, and documentation control. ? Serve as primary point of contact during regulatory inspections (e.g., CA Dept. of Public Health) and drive timely follow-up actions. Quality Assurance + Quality Control (Plant Floor) ? Establish/standardize in-process checks and finished goods release criteria; ensure consistency across mixing, holding, and bottling/pack-out operations. ? Investigate deviations, nonconformances, and customer/consumer complaints; lead root cause analysis and CAPA in partnership with Operations. ? Coordinate product testing/specification adherence and maintain required QA records. Regulatory / Compliance (CA-first mindset) ? Maintain compliance across applicable food safety regulations and facility requirements; manage required submissions, records, and postings. ? Partner with outside services as needed (e.g., certain CA compliance administration) but own the what and why internally. Training + Food Safety Culture ? Deliver and/or coordinate routine training for plant employees (food safety, GMPs, documentation discipline, incident response). ? Ensure training is effective for a primarily Spanish-speaking workforce; ability to communicate clearly in Spanish is required for floor execution. Documentation Modernization (Practical, not precious) ? Transition critical quality documentation from paper-based workflows to simple, scalable tools (starting with structured digital logs and version-controlled documents), without disrupting production. Qualifications ? 5+ years in Quality / Food Safety in food manufacturing, ideally in an internally manufactured environment. ? Hands-on experience leading GFSI-style audits and programs (SQF/BRC/IFS or similar) and maintaining HACCP/Preventive Controls systems. ? Strong CAPA / root cause skills and comfort working directly on the floor, not from a desk. ? Bilingual (English/Spanish): strong working proficiency required. ? Comfortable as a department of one: organized, steady, low-ego, and practical. Working Conditions ? On-site role in a manufacturing and warehouse environment; may require early/extended hours aligned to production needs. ? Regular time on the production floor.