QA-SQF Manager in Elmsford, New York at Zaro's Bake Shop Inc

Employee Job Description

Job Title: QA/SQF Manager

Reports To: Ownership

Salary Range - $70-$100k

Role:

This is a hands-on floor management role. Approximately 50% of the position is focused on SQF compliance, QA, and food safety documentation. The remaining 50% involves direct supervision of the maintenance and sanitation teams, active floor presence supporting production, and working alongside those teams as needed to keep operations running smoothly. The role is supported by a QA Supervisor on the floor.

Responsibilities (include but not limited to)

OPERATIONS & FLOOR SUPERVISION (50%)

• Directly supervise the maintenance and sanitation teams; assign work, set priorities, and hold team members accountable to standards.
• Work alongside maintenance and sanitation teams when needed — this is a roll-up-your-sleeves role.
• Maintain active floor presence throughout production; support operators, identify issues early, and help resolve them in real time.
• Partner with production to keep lines running efficiently, address equipment or sanitation issues without delay, and support daily operational goals.
• Hold yourself and your teams to a high standard — lead by example, communicate clearly, and build trust on the floor.

QA & FOOD SAFETY (50%)

• Own the SQF system — maintain all documentation, programs, and records required for SQF certification and GFSI audits.
• Ensure HACCP plans and SOPs are current, followed, and continuously improved.
• Monitor production for compliance with BOMs, specifications, lot codes, weights, temperatures, and finished product standards.
• Place non-conforming product or materials on hold; stop the line when necessary to correct quality or safety issues.
• Conduct GMP inspections, environmental testing, and verify metal detectors, temperatures, and critical equipment logs.
• Train production staff on GMPs, SOPs, food safety procedures, and product specifications.
• Ensure rework, lot tracking, and label documentation are completed accurately and on time.

Essential skills and experience:

• BS and/or and 5+ years related work experience in bakery manufacturing or related manufacturing industry.
• Experience, training or knowledge of bread, cake and pastry production preferred.
• Experience with production systems and processes.
• Knowledge and experience in continuous improvement methodologies, tools, trends, and best practices.
• Proven analytical and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated strong leadership, coaching and mentoring skills with the ability to effectively lead and influence others.
• Demonstrated effective communication skills with the ability to relay business communications to the plant team members.
• Ability to manage various tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to use tact, judgement, and diplomacy.
• Ability to build strong working relationships.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong computer skills.
• Capability and willingness to continue to develop and broaden an extensive knowledge of relevant areas of expertise.
• HACCP Certified.
• PCQI Certified.
• SQF Implementation certified.

Physical requirements and working conditions (with or without reasonable accommodation):

• At times you may need to work on weekends and/or holidays and some evenings.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment that involves exposure to dust, heat, cold, walking, and ability to climb ladders and stairs.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds.