Quality Assurance Regional Manager
📍 Location: Albert Lea, Minnesota (Oversight of Multiple Manufacturing Sites)
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time
💰 Base Salary: $130,000 – $145,000
🚚 Relocation Assistance: Available for Ideal Candidates
✈️ Travel: Frequent Regional Travel Required
🚫 Visa Sponsorship: Not Available
Overview
A growing manufacturer in the food and nutrition sector is seeking a Quality Assurance Regional Manager to lead quality and food safety operations across multiple production facilities in Minnesota.
This leadership role is responsible for driving food safety, regulatory compliance, quality system effectiveness, continuous improvement, and team development while partnering closely with Operations, Production, R&D, and Commercial teams.
The successful candidate will be a strong people leader with deep expertise in FDA-regulated manufacturing environments and a proven ability to influence cross-functional teams.
Key Responsibilities
Quality & Food Safety Leadership
Lead quality assurance programs across multiple manufacturing sites.
Ensure compliance with FDA, HACCP, SQF, customer, and internal quality standards.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on food safety, quality, and operational excellence.
Oversee internal audit programs, CAPA processes, and compliance activities.
Lead root cause investigations and implement sustainable corrective actions.
Team Leadership
Develop, coach, and mentor regional quality teams.
Establish and communicate performance goals using SMART objectives.
Build a culture of accountability, food safety, and continuous improvement.
Deliver food safety and quality training programs.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Production, R&D, Commercial, and Operations teams to support product launches and process improvements.
Support commercialization activities, change control processes, and new product introductions.
Provide quality leadership during customer visits, regulatory inspections, and external audits.
Systems & Compliance
Ensure effective implementation of food safety and quality management systems.
Monitor and improve key metrics including:
First Pass Quality
Customer Complaints
CAPA Effectiveness
Inventory Health
Compliance Performance
Environmental & Sanitation Programs
Apply SPC and data-driven methodologies to improve process performance.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Science or a related field.
10+ years of Quality Assurance experience within:
Food Manufacturing
Beverage Manufacturing
Dietary Supplements
Pharmaceutical or Medical Device Manufacturing
Management experience leading quality teams.
Strong knowledge of:
FDA Regulations
HACCP
SQF
Food Safety Programs
U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
Preferred Experience
Multi-site quality leadership experience.
Career progression across multiple functions including:
Production
R&D
Quality
PCQI certification.
Strong experience working with cross-functional teams.
Statistical Process Control (SPC) expertise.
Project management and continuous improvement experience.
Key Skills
✔ Quality Assurance Leadership
✔ FDA Compliance
✔ HACCP & SQF Programs
✔ Food Safety Systems
✔ CAPA Management
✔ Root Cause Analysis
✔ Internal Auditing
✔ SPC & Data Analysis
✔ Team Development
✔ Cross-Functional Leadership
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate has a strong quality leadership background within food or beverage manufacturing and has progressed through multiple operational disciplines such as Production, R&D, and Quality.
They will bring:
Multi-site quality management experience.
Strong food safety and regulatory expertise.
Proven success leading cross-functional initiatives.
Excellent leadership, coaching, and communication skills.
A track record of driving continuous improvement and quality culture transformation.
Screening Questions
Do you have experience in the food and beverage manufacturing industry?
Do you have hands-on experience with HACCP, SQF, and food safety systems?
Are you a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident?
Have you successfully partnered with cross-functional teams across operations, R&D, and quality?
Have you held roles in multiple functions such as Production, R&D, and Quality during your career?
Candidate Snapshot
Requirement
Details
Experience
10+ Years
Seniority
Director Level
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Industry
Food & Beverage Manufacturing
Management Experience
Required
Travel
Frequent
Multi-Site Oversight
Preferred
Relocation
Available
Why Consider This Opportunity?
Lead quality operations across multiple manufacturing facilities.
High visibility role with direct impact on food safety and operational excellence.
Strong career growth opportunities within a growing organization.
Collaborative environment with significant cross-functional leadership exposure.
Opportunity to shape quality strategy and drive continuous improvement initiatives across multiple sites.