Quality Assurance Manager

Job title : Quality Assurance Manager

Job Purpose

• To lead the implementation and continuous improvement of the factory's Quality Management and Food Safety Management Systems, ensuring the production of safe, high-quality cashew kernels that consistently meet international export standards, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• The role provides technical leadership in quality assurance, food safety certification, in-line process control, and continuous quality improvement across the entire production process.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain the factory's Quality Management System (QMS) and Food Safety Management System (FSMS).
• Lead the implementation, certification, and maintenance of HACCP, FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, Organic Certification, BRCGS, and other customer or regulatory requirements.
• Establish effective in-line quality control systems across all processing stages, including RCN receiving, steaming, shelling, drying, peeling, grading, packing, and storage.
• Ensure compliance with kernel grading standards, export specifications, GMP, GHP, sanitation, hygiene, and food safety requirements.
• Monitor raw materials, in-process products, finished goods, laboratory testing, moisture control, grade conformity, and packaging quality.
• Lead internal audits, certification audits, customer audits, supplier quality assessments, and regulatory inspections.
• Manage product traceability, recall readiness, non-conformance investigations, CAPA, and root cause analysis.
• Drive continuous quality improvement initiatives to reduce defects, customer complaints, export rejections, and process variability.
• Develop SOPs, quality documentation, and food safety procedures while training employees on quality and food safety systems.
• Lead and develop the Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Laboratory, Hygiene, and Food Safety teams.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Product Conformity Rate
• Export Rejection Rate
• Customer Complaint Rate
• Certification & Audit Compliance
• In-Line Quality Compliance
• Food Safety Incident Rate
• CAPA Closure Rate
• Supplier Quality Performance
• Product Traceability Effectiveness

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Professional certifications such as HACCP, FSSC 22000, ISO 22000 Lead Auditor/Implementer, or BRCGS are highly desirable.
• Compulsory: Must Have Worked in Cashew Processing Factory as Quality Assurance Manager

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years experience in food manufacturing Quality Assurance, with at least 3 years in a management role.
• Hands-on experience in cashew processing and managing internationally recognized food safety certification projects is strongly preferred.

Technical Competencies:

• Cashew Processing Technology
• In-Line Quality Control
• HACCP, FSSC 22000, ISO 22000 & BRCGS
• Food Safety & Quality Management Systems
• Kernel Grading & Export Quality Standards
• Internal Auditing & Root Cause Analysis
• Laboratory & Supplier Quality Management
• Traceability & Recall Systems
• Continuous Improvement (Lean/5S)

Behavioral Competencies:

• Leadership
• Technical Expertise
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Integrity
• Communication
• Problem Solving
• Coaching & Team Development.