Quality Assurance Manager

Hi, we're Nuts.com!

Nuts.com is a self-funded, profitable, rapidly growing multi-channel DTC specialty food and wellness company with over 550 people on our team. We're changing the landscape of snacking on nuts, dried fruit, chocolate and more! We planted our roots in Newark, New Jersey during the Great Depression, selling premium nuts on Mulberry Street's open-air market. We've come quite a long way since then, taking our multi-generational family business online in 1999. Even after 97 years, we continue to pride ourselves in expertly sourcing the highest quality foods and treating our customers like family.

What's our team like? We're driven, collaborative and entrepreneurial. Energy and passion power our business and we look for candidates who share in that excitement to help us continue to build something special.

The role:

The Quality Assurance Manager will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining robust food safety and quality management systems that strictly comply with all regulatory requirements and company standards. Success in this role demands a professional who thrives in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment, spending the majority of your time directly on the production floor.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience with food quality and safety systems, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliance, FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), comprehensive record-keeping/documentation, employee training, problem-solving skills and change management within a food processing environment. This position reports directly to the Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance. In the absence of the Quality Assurance Manager the Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance Manager will act as a back up.

What you'll do:

Food Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure all manufacturing processes, raw materials, packaging, work-in-process (WIP), and finished products consistently meet internal quality standards, regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA FSMA), and recognized food safety certifications (e.g., HACCP, GFSI, SQF, Gluten-free, Organic, Non-GMO, Kosher).
• Lead root cause analysis investigations for food safety and quality deviations, implementing effective Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs).
• Manage internal and external food safety and quality audits, ensuring audit readiness and compliance.
• Manage Food Defense Team activities and continuous improvement and maintenance of the Food Defense Plan.

Customer & Product Quality

• Own and drive improvements in customer complaints metrics directly related to product quality and food safety.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Customer Experience (CX), Merchandising, and Sales, to investigate product-related exceptions and recurring quality defects.

System Integration & Oversight

• Ensure the seamless integration and coherence of established Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) programs with on-floor operational processes.
• Provide dedicated oversight for critical processes, including Allergen Control, Hygienic Zoning, Pest Control, GMP Audits, KPIs, Sanitation support, Pre-Operational Inspections, Line Changeovers, Line Clearances, Quality-focused Inventory Audits, Production Line Audits, and Fulfillment Audits.
• Manage and drive improvements in Material Review Board (MRB) processes.
• Own and drive improvements in Product Hold and Release processes, audits, and compliance.

Documentation & Record Keeping

• Create, maintain, and manage comprehensive food safety and quality documentation.
• Partner closely with FSQA and operations managers to develop and update policies, procedures, process flow diagrams, KernelWeb (KW), GMPs, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and work instructions aimed at enhancing product quality, reducing defects, and improving food safety adherence.

Training & Development

• Develop and deliver comprehensive training programs for production staff and management on food safety, SQF system, quality assurance principles, GMPs, and revised procedures.
• Create engaging training materials and conduct regular sessions to foster a strong food safety culture.

Continuous Improvement & Project Management

• Actively participate in and lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on enhancing food safety, food safety culture, quality, and operational efficiency within quality assurance.
• Analyze existing food safety and quality processes to identify opportunities for optimization and waste reduction. 
• Play a key role in food safety and quality improvement projects, ensuring timely completion.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for food safety and quality-related production issues, collaborating with maintenance and production teams.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Quality Assurance associates, championing their professional growth and fostering a highly engaged environment.
• Step in and assist with other quality roles as necessary to ensure smooth operations.
  
  

What you’ll bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, or a related scientific discipline preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in food quality assurance or food safety management within a food manufacturing facility.
• Demonstrated experience with internal and external audit compliance (e.g., GFSI standards, FDA, FSMA, Organic).
• Certifications in Internal Auditing, HACCP and PCQI are required; SQF Practitioner or BRC Lead Auditor certification is a significant plus.
• Strong knowledge of FDA regulations (e.g., FSMA) and other relevant food safety guidelines.
• Proficiency with Electronic Quality Management Systems (EQMS).
• Experience with Lean Six Sigma, 5 Whys, and Pareto analysis is highly desirable.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and possessing a strong business acumen with the ability to navigate challenging situations independently.
• Knowledge of OSHA protocols in a manufacturing environment.
• Bilingual - Spanish is strongly preferred.
  
  

What we offer

• A high-growth and rewarding role in a foundationally strong and rapidly evolving business
• Annual Salary Range: $100,000 - $110,000 plus annual bonus
• Excellent benefits including a 401K Match
• Paid Maternity, Adoption and Paternity leave
• And all the Nuts.com snacks your heart desires + a 40% employee discount

EEO STATEMENT

Nuts.com is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, immigration status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should reach out to us at [email protected]