FS & FQ Manager at Badia Spices, LLC

POSITION TITLE:  Food Safety & Food Quality Manager

POSITION OBJECTIVE 

Lead and continuously strengthen Badia Spices' Food Safety and Food Quality systems to ensure full compliance with SQF, FDA, FSMA, and customer requirements. FS & FQ Managers at Badia Spices owns audit readiness, protects brand integrity, and enables scalable growth across manufacturing and distribution operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

SQF & Regulatory Audit Leadership:

• Lead and coordinate SQF recertification audits, regulatory inspections, and customer audits.
• Serve as the primary company contact for all food safety and quality audits.
• Direct audit preparation activities, conduct internal audits, and ensure audit readiness at all times.
• Lead corrective action development and ensure timely, sustainable closure of findings.
• Maintain a strong audit record with no major findings.

Food Safety & Quality Systems Leadership:

• Own and manage the SQF Food Safety System across all applicable facilities.
• Ensure programs are fully documented, effectively implemented, and continuously improved.
• Interpret SQF requirements and provide expert guidance to cross-functional teams.
• Maintain audit-ready status across manufacturing and distribution operations.

Compliance & Regulatory Management:

• Ensure compliance with FSMA, cGMPs, USDA regulations (as applicable), state and local regulatory requirements, and customer and retailer food safety standards.
• Monitor regulatory changes and proactively adapt internal programs to maintain compliance.
• Act as the internal authority on regulatory interpretation and risk exposure.

Quality Assurance & Product Integrity:

• Oversee quality systems covering raw material and finished goods specifications, supplier approval, labeling compliance, traceability, allergen control, sanitation controls, and food defense programs.
• Partner closely with Operations, Procurement, and R&D to ensure product integrity and consistency across the supply chain.
• Drive risk mitigation strategies to protect brand reputation.

Risk Management & Preventive Controls:

• Lead hazard analyses and preventive control programs.
• Oversee risk assessments and root cause investigations.
• Ensure CAPA processes are robust, data-driven, and embedded into daily operations.
• Proactively identify food safety and quality risks and implement preventive solutions before escalation.

Training & Food Safety Culture:

• Develop and deliver food safety and quality training programs across all organizational levels.
• Build and sustain a strong food safety culture grounded in accountability and ownership.
• Ensure leadership engagement and cross-functional alignment in food safety priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field.
• Certified SQF Practitioner.
• PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification.
• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in food safety and quality within food manufacturing.
• Demonstrated success leading SQF certification audits and regulatory inspections.
• Strong working knowledge of FSMA, cGMPs, and regulatory compliance frameworks.
• Experience managing multi-site food safety programs.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in Food Science or related discipline.
• Experience in spice, seasoning, or ingredient manufacturing.
• HACCP certification.
• Experience working with major retail or national customer audit requirements.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strategic risk management
• Regulatory expertise
• Audit leadership and crisis management
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Data-driven decision-making
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Executive-level presence and influence

SUCCESS METRICS

• Successful SQF recertification with no major findings
• Zero critical regulatory violations
• Reduction in quality incidents and customer complaints
• Improved CAPA closure timelines
• Measurable improvement in food safety KPIs
• Strengthened food safety culture engagement scores

Please send a resume to Eric de Angulo at [email protected].