QA MANAGER

Job Summary

The Quality Assurance (QA) Manager is responsible for planning, implementing, and maintaining the company's Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure that all products consistently meet customer requirements, food safety standards, and regulatory requirements. The QA Manager oversees quality control operations, food safety programs, audits, compliance, laboratory activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.

---

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Quality Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Ensure compliance with GMP, SSOP, HACCP, and applicable food safety standards.
• Monitor product quality throughout production and packaging processes.
• Review and update quality procedures, work instructions, and quality manuals.
• Establish quality objectives and monitor performance.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead the implementation and maintenance of HACCP and Food Safety programs.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, DOLE, DENR, LGU, and other regulatory requirements.
• Prepare and coordinate internal and external audits.
• Ensure compliance with Halal, ISO 22000, or FSSC 22000 requirements (if applicable).

Quality Control

• Supervise laboratory testing and product inspections.
• Review inspection reports and laboratory analysis results.
• Ensure raw materials, packaging materials, work-in-process, and finished goods meet specifications.
• Approve product release based on quality standards.

Audit & Continuous Improvement

• Conduct internal quality audits.
• Lead investigations on customer complaints, product non-conformities, and quality issues.
• Implement Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA).
• Analyze quality trends and recommend process improvements.

Documentation

• Maintain quality records and documentation.
• Ensure document control procedures are followed.
• Review Certificates of Analysis (COA), inspection reports, and quality records.
• Prepare quality reports for management review.

Team Leadership

• Supervise QA Supervisors, QA Analysts, QA Inspectors, and Laboratory personnel.
• Conduct performance evaluations.
• Develop employee training programs on quality and food safety.
• Promote a culture of quality throughout the organization.

Customer & Supplier Quality

• Handle customer quality concerns and investigations.
• Conduct supplier evaluations and supplier quality audits.
• Monitor supplier performance and incoming material quality.

---

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Technology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biology, Microbiology, or a related field.
• Master's Degree is an advantage.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Quality Assurance within the food manufacturing industry.
• At least 2 years in a managerial role.

---

Knowledge & Skills

• Quality Management Systems (QMS)
• HACCP
• GMP
• SSOP
• Food Safety Standards
• Root Cause Analysis
• CAPA
• Internal Auditing
• Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Documentation Control
• Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Leadership and people management
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills

---

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

KPITargetCustomer Complaints≤ 2 validated complaints per monthProduct Non-Conformance≤ 1%Internal Audit Compliance100% completionExternal Audit FindingsZero major findingsCorrective Action Closure100% within target timelineGMP Compliance Score≥ 95%Product Release Accuracy100%Training Compliance100% of QA personnel trainedSupplier Quality Compliance≥ 95%Food Safety Compliance100%

---

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in both office and production environments.
• Requires frequent plant inspections.
• May require extended hours during audits, product issues, or production emergencies.

---

Authority

The QA Manager has the authority to:

• Stop production when food safety or quality is compromised.
• Reject non-conforming raw materials, packaging materials, work-in-process, and finished products.
• Approve or withhold product release based on quality standards.
• Recommend corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead quality investigations and internal audits.
• Recommend improvements to processes affecting product quality and food safety.

This job description is suitable for a food manufacturing company and aligns with industry standards for QA management. It can also be customized to reflect specific compliance requirements such as HACCP, GMP, Halal, or ISO/FSSC 22000 certifications.