Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager - Imported Foods Columbia, MD $80k–100k

Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager – Supplier Quality Location: Columbia, MD Salary: $80,000 - $110,000+ (DOE) + Annual Company Performance Bonus + Benefits Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, 401k w/ match, Holidays, PTO, Sick time Job Type: Full-Time | On-site Typical Hours: Monday–Friday; occasional after-hours for overseas coordination Start Date: ASAP Sponsorship is not available

Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager – Supplier Quality Description

Our client, a leader in imported food and private-label products, is seeking a Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager in Columbia, MD. In this hands-on individual contributor role, you will review supplier food safety audits, product inspection reports, and laboratory results against approved specifications and customer requirements. You will identify quality or compliance gaps, coordinate corrective actions with suppliers, and verify their effectiveness before closing issues. The ideal candidate brings food industry QA experience, strong technical report interpretation skills, and experience resolving supplier quality issues. This is an excellent opportunity to shape a growing QA program at one of the top U.S. food importers.

Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager – Supplier Quality Responsibilities

• Review inspection and lab reports against product, customer, and U.S. requirements and specifications • Review supplier food safety and social audits, certificates, and onboarding documentation • Coordinate and document supplier corrective actions; verify effectiveness before closure • Maintain food safety, quality, and sustainability programs, including HACCP, BRC, BAP, ASC, and MSC • Prepare product specifications and review packaging and labels for FDA and customer compliance • Support regulatory, customer, and third-party audits and follow up on findings • Investigate quality complaints and support documentation, recalls, and regulatory communications • Analyze quality data and supplier performance to identify trends and improvements • Support traceability and collaborate with internal teams to resolve quality concerns • Collaborate with procurement, sales, R&D, and logistics teams to align QA goals • Monitor regulations and coordinate with overseas suppliers, occasionally after hours

Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager – Supplier Quality Qualifications

• Associate’s degree required • 3+ years of QA/QC experience in food manufacturing, processing, or supplier quality required • Experience interpreting lab results and product inspection reports against specifications required • Experience supporting food safety audits and corrective actions required • Experience supporting quality investigations and corrective-action follow-up required • Strong attention to detail, communication, and independent problem-solving skills required