SQF Assistant Manager in at Torito Brands

Job Title: SQF Assistant Manager

The SQF Assistant Manager partners with the SQF Manager to develop, implement, and maintain the facility’s Safe Quality Food (SQF) system in compliance with the SQF Code, regulatory requirements, and customer standards. This role supports food safety and quality programs, internal audits, corrective and preventive actions, employee training, and documentation control, and serves as the designated backup to the SQF Manager. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, proactive, and committed to fostering a strong food safety culture across all departments.

Key Responsibilities

SQF System Management

• Support the development, implementation, and maintenance of the SQF system in accordance with current SQF Code requirements.
• Serve as the designated backup to the SQF Manager, assuming SQF system responsibilities in their absence or as assigned.
• Maintain SQF policies, procedures, forms, and records, ensuring documentation remains current, controlled, and accurate.
• Review and update SQF documentation when changes occur to processes, equipment, products, or procedures.
• Monitor assigned SQF requirements and promptly communicate compliance gaps or potential risks to the SQF Manager.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Support compliance with FDA, USDA (as applicable), and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.
• Maintain HACCP plans, food safety plans, prerequisite programs (PRPs), and associated records.
• Monitor the effectiveness of allergen control, sanitation, pest control, traceability, and related food safety programs.
• Conduct routine reviews of food safety and quality records to identify deviations, missing information, or compliance concerns.
• Participate in the investigation and follow-up of food safety incidents, deviations, and non-conformances.

Audits & Inspections

• Plan, schedule, and conduct internal audits in coordination with the SQF Manager.
• Prepare the facility and supporting documentation for SQF certification, surveillance, customer, and regulatory audits and inspections.
• Maintain a state of continuous audit readiness throughout the facility.
• Manage the corrective and preventive action (CAPA) process, tracking open items through closure and escalating overdue actions.
• Prepare audit reports, inspection summaries, and other required records.

Training & Food Safety Culture

• Develop and deliver training on food safety, SQF requirements, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and company policies.
• Identify training needs and maintain accurate, audit-ready employee training records.
• Communicate food safety expectations clearly and consistently to employees at all levels.
• Promote and reinforce a strong, proactive food safety culture across all departments.

Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and report on product quality and food safety metrics, identifying trends and recurring issues.
• Lead or support investigations of customer complaints, product non-conformances, and quality concerns, including root cause analysis and documentation.
• Verify that corrective actions are implemented effectively and sustained over time.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen food safety, quality, and compliance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Sanitation, Warehouse, and other departments to uphold food safety and quality requirements.
• Evaluate food safety considerations for new products, process changes, equipment changes, and other operational changes.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings and projects related to food safety, quality, sanitation, and compliance.
• Serve as a resource to department leaders and employees on SQF, GMP, and food safety requirements.
• Escalate significant food safety, quality, or compliance concerns to the SQF Manager in a timely manner.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Two to four years of experience in food safety, quality assurance, or SQF systems within a food manufacturing environment preferred.
• SQF Practitioner certification is preferred, or the ability to obtain certification within a specified timeframe.
• Working knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, and applicable food safety regulations.
• Experience with internal audits, inspections, corrective actions, and compliance documentation preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Bilingual-English/Spanish
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail with exceptional organizational and documentation skills.
• Sound problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with employees and leaders across departments.
• Consistent follow-through and the ability to identify and communicate compliance concerns.
• Ability to work independently while supporting the SQF Manager and the Quality/Food Safety team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality management systems.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Remote Position with up to 30% travel required
• Work is performed in a food manufacturing environment, including office and production areas.
• Regularly requires standing and walking for extended periods, with occasional lifting.
• May require work in refrigerated, wet, noisy, or other production environments; appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required.
• Must adhere to all GMP, safety, and food safety requirements while in production areas.
• Schedule flexibility is required to support audits, inspections, and production or food safety needs, which may include early mornings, evenings, or weekends.