Head of Quality Assurance / Quality Control in Irvine, California at Eterna Management, LLC

JOB DESCRIPTION
Head of Quality Assurance / Quality Control
3PL | Orange County, California

POSITION SUMMARY
The head of QA/QC serves as the quality architect of the organization — think of this role as the chief inspector on a production line where every batch is both a product and a legal promise. This senior leader is responsible for building, maintaining, and continuously improving the quality management systems governing the third-party logistics (3PL) operations and in-house manufacturing of hemp-derived products. Operating within California's evolving hemp regulatory landscape, this individual ensures that every SKU leaving the facility meets or exceeds federal (USDA/FDA), state (CDFA/CDPH), and customer-specific quality standards.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Quality Management System (QMS) Leadership
Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive QMS aligned with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), ISO 9001, and hemp-industry-specific standards.
Serve as the Management Representative for all third-party audits, regulatory inspections, and customer quality reviews.
Develop and enforce SOPs for raw material receipt, in-process controls, finished goods release, and product traceability.
Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) programs — the diagnostic engine that finds the source of defects before they escape the facility.

Regulatory Compliance
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of USDA hemp regulations, FDA guidance on hemp-derived CBD/products, California CDFA and CDPH requirements, and applicable 3PL/contract manufacturing standards.
Oversee Certificate of Analysis (COA) management, ensuring third-party lab results for cannabinoid potency, heavy metals, pesticides, microbials, and residual solvents are reviewed and archived.
Coordinate with legal and compliance teams on labeling compliance, including proper THC (<0.3% delta-9-THC) declarations and structure/function claims.
Manage product recall and withdrawal procedures in coordination with logistics and client services teams.

3PL & Supply Chain Quality
Partner with warehouse and fulfillment teams to establish receiving inspection protocols for incoming hemp biomass, extract intermediates, and finished goods.
Audit 3PL partners and co-manufacturers to verify adherence to quality agreements and specifications.
Implement cold-chain and storage compliance monitoring for temperature/humidity-sensitive hemp products.
Drive lot traceability systems — maintaining the chain of custody from farm to final consumer.

Team Development & Cross-Functional Leadership
Recruit, train, and mentor a QA/QC team; develop career pathways and succession planning.
Provide quality training across all departments including warehouse, production, procurement, and customer service.
Collaborate with R&D, sales, and operations to ensure new product launches meet quality gates before market release.
Present quality metrics and KPI dashboards to executive leadership; translate data into actionable strategy — like a navigator using GPS, not just reacting to what is already in the rearview mirror.

Laboratory & Testing Oversight
Manage relationships with accredited third-party testing laboratories (ISO 17025-certified preferred).
Oversee in-house QC testing capabilities including physical, chemical, and sensory evaluations.
Establish and monitor acceptance criteria for cannabinoid profiles, moisture content, color/odor specifications, and packaging integrity.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Supply Chain, or a closely related field; Master's degree preferred.
Minimum 7-10 years of progressive QA/QC experience in food, dietary supplement, pharmaceutical, or hemp/cannabis manufacturing.
At least 3 years in a leadership/management role overseeing a quality team.
Demonstrated expertise in GMP compliance (21 CFR Parts 111/117 or equivalent).
Hands-on experience with hemp or cannabis COA interpretation, third-party lab management, and cannabinoid testing protocols.
Strong knowledge of California state hemp regulations (CDFA Industrial Hemp Program) and FDA guidance documents.
Experience working in or alongside 3PL/contract manufacturing environments.
Proficient in QMS software (e.g., TraceGains, MasterControl, or similar) and ERP systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Certified Quality Manager (CQM), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or SQF Practitioner certification.
Experience with FSMA compliance and Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) designation.
Familiarity with USDA Organic or NSF certification processes for hemp products.
Working knowledge of cosmetic/topical hemp product compliance (FDA 21 CFR 700 series).
Spanish language proficiency is a plus given the diverse workforce in Orange County.

CORE COMPETENCIES
Strategic Systems Thinking — able to see the entire quality ecosystem, not just individual checkpoints.
Regulatory Intelligence — stays ahead of the regulatory curve in a fast-moving industry.
Decisive Problem-Solving — acts like a skilled diagnostician: isolates variables, tests hypotheses, implements solutions fast.
Communication Excellence — translates technical quality language into clear business impact for all audiences.
Integrity & Accountability — sets the quality culture by example, fostering a quality-is-everyone's-job mindset.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Primarily office-based within an Orange County warehouse/manufacturing facility; frequent time on the production floor.
Must be comfortable working around hemp-derived products, raw botanicals, and laboratory environments.
Occasional travel to supplier sites, co-manufacturers, and trade/regulatory events.
Ability to lift up to 30 lbs and stand for extended periods during floor audits.